The Washington herald., 1914-11-08
Lineoln's Reelection,
November Eighth.

Gen. Butler, however, proved a strong
ally. His understanding of how to handle
political situations was complete. Al
though he organized the military and
the police for quick and drastic work. he
kept the soldiers out Of sight and studied
10 avoid any appearance of armed force
being in readiness for use at the polls
The events Of the day did not justify
the precautions taken. as the election
was as orderly as usual. At noon Gen.
Butler wired the President that New
York was the quietest city ever seen"
This good news confirmed in Lincoln's
mind a growing feeling that he would
win, even though 1t might be by narrow
margin.
His secretaries in their record OF Lin
coins Presidency CNSIcolay & Hay, Life
OF Lincoln) have told how Lincoln pass
ed this important day.
ITO Mr. Lincoln this was one Of the
most solemn days OF his life" they
write. Assured Of his personal success.
and devoutly confident that the day Of
peace and re-establishment Of the Union
was not far on, he felt no elation and
no sense of triumph over his opponents.
His mind seemed filed with mingled
feelings OF deep and humble gratitude to
the vast majority of his feilow-citiZens
who were this day testifying to him their
heartfelt confidence and affection, and
Of a keen and somewhat surprised re-
gret that he should be the object in so
many quarters Of so bitter and vindic-
tive an opposition"
No Personal Resentment.
How greatly Lincoln had underesti-
mated his own strength was not at first
apparent when the returns began TO
come in. The telegraph wires were work
ing badly throughout the North and news
was late and meager
Lincoln was at the White House. with
q few friends, during the evening. The
only returns received were a few scat
tering figures from Indiana, which in
dicated a gain for the Republicans in
the city OF indianapolis.
After receiving these Lincoln walked
across lots to the War Department tele
graph once. There he heard that Balti-
more had given him q substantiaP ma
showing heavy gains in the Republican
vote. the President asked II there were
not a clerical error in the figures.
When further returns came in from
Maryland. indicating that a candidate
who had been very bitter against the
Navy Department was defeated, Capt. q.
V. Fox, Assistant Secretary OF the Navy,
who was in the telegraph room, indulged
in expressions of intense satisfaction.
New York State had cast It's vote for
Lincoln This. with continued reports
OF increased majorities. showed that he
had won. Yet he continued to receive
returns until a. m Word was then
brought him that a band and a crowd
were serenading his empty room at the
white House, and he started to meet
the serenaders. They had by this time
come over to the War Department. and
met him at the door.
Here Lincoln made his first speech OF
the new and final chapter Of his career.
He told the crowd that he did not yet
know the result OF the election, but that
he had no desire to modify the opinion
that "all who have labored today In be-
half OF the Union have wrought for the
best interests Of the country and the
world, not only for the present, but for
all future ages
GThanlks to the AImighty."
Then as II he felt, in the face Of the
returns that he should assume that the
victory was as complete as II seemed
to be. he said:
IT am thankful to God for this ap-
proval of the people; but. while deeply
grateful for this mark Of their con-
fidence. II ! know my heart, my graft
tude Is free from any taint Of personal
triumph. I do not impugh the motives
Of any one opposed to me. It Is no
pleasure TO me to triumph over any one,
but give thanks to the Almighty for
this evidence OF the peoples resolution
to stand by free government and the
rights OF humanity"
The final returns justified the earlier
Indications Of a great victory for Lin
coin. Only one free State. New Jersey,
and two slave States, Delaware and
Kentucky. cast their vote for Gen Nc
CleIlan. Lincoln had 212 electoral votes
and Mcclellan twenty-five. The vote Of
Nevada was not counted. owing to .
technicality.