Still in the White House

Re-nomination—The Soldiers for him—The German—Call for 500,000 Troops—His Re-election—Reply to Committee—Its Effect—Second Inauguration—His Address Remarkable—Copy of it—Sumner's Words—Civil Service Reform—Office-seekers—Going to City Point—His Telegrams—Fall of Richmond—Lincoln enters the City—at Jeff Davis's Headquarters—Reading Shakespeare—Surrender of Lee—National Joy—Sumner Classes Lincoln with Washington

Mr. Lincoln was renominated for a second term in the summer of 1864. There were not wanting leaders who opposed his renomination. He was too slow and too kind to suit them. But their opposition was short-lived. When the National Convention assembled in Baltimore, the current of enthusiasm for Mr. Lincoln swept away all opposition. Intelligence from the army proved that one feeling pervaded the rank and file,—the “boys” demanded the renomination of “Father Abraham.” The colonel of a regiment on the Potomac, in which were many Democrats, reported a conversation among his men, as follows:—

“Who are you for, Joe?” inquired one of a Democrat.

“Father Abraham, of course; a new man would upset things,” was the reply.

“Who knows but a new man might hurry up the end of this rebellion!” interjected another.

“But we know who we have now for President,” responded the Democrat; “but when you have a new man you must wait to find out.”

“That’s so,” loudly answered a comrade: “no time for an armistice now.”

“Soldiers think too much of Lincoln to swap him off now for somebody else,” remarked another.

And so the discussion proceeded, until a German, who had remained a silent listener, spoke:

“I goes for Fader Abraham,” he said. “Fader Abraham, he likes the soldier-boy. Ven he serves tree years he gives him four hundred dollar, and re-enlists him von veteran. Now Fader Abraham, he serve four years. We re-enlist him four years more, and make von veteran of him.”

The German settled the question in that regiment; and it was about a fair representation of the feeling throughout the Union army.

In the convention, the votes of every State except Missouri were cast for Mr. Lincoln. Her twenty-two votes were cast for General Grant, but, immediately upon the announcement of the ballot, they were transferred to Mr. Lincoln.

In less than two months after his renomination, the President resolved to issue a call for five hundred thousand more troops. On laying the subject before his Cabinet, objections were provoked at once.

“It will prove disastrous,”said one.

“It will defeat your re-election, Mr. President,” suggested another.

“It will furnish material for your enemies to use against you; the people are tired of the war,” added the first-named speaker.

For quite a while the measure was discussed; and the President listened with his accustomed deference, occasionally dropping a word. At length, however, he settled the matter beyond controversy. Rising from his seat, and assuming that commanding attitude so usual when he was about to make a noble stand, he remarked, with profound seriousness, as well as emphasis:—

“Gentlemen, it is not necessary that I should be re-elected,