General John W. Geary

[David Lockmiller]

Lincoln’s annual message to Congress in December also pleased Radicals. It
eloquently summarized the lesson taught by the election: “The most reliable indication of
public purpose in this country is derived through our popular elections. Judging by the
recent canvass and its result, the purpose of the people, within the loyal States, to
maintain the integrity of the Union, was never more firm, nor more nearly unanimous,
than now. The extraordinary calmness and good order with which the millions of voters
met and mingled at the polls, give strong assurance of this. Not only all those who
supported the Union ticket, so called, but a great majority of the opposing party also, may
be fairly claimed to entertain, and to be actuated by, the same purpose. It is an
unanswerable argument to this effect, that no candidate for any office whatever, high or
low, has ventured to seek votes on the avowal that he was for giving up the Union. There
have been much impugning of motives, and much heated controversy as to the proper
means and best mode of advancing the Union cause; but on the distinct issue of Union or
no Union, the politicians have shown their instinctive knowledge that there is no diversity
among the people. In affording the people the fair opportunity of showing, one to another
and to the world, this firmness and unanimity of purpose, the election has been of vast
value to the national cause.”

Abraham Lincoln: A Life, Vol. Two, Chap. 34, Page 726