Source: Jon Meacham. And There Was Light -
Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle (2022)
Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle (2022)
On top of all the monumental challenges with which Lincoln was dealing was the upcoming Election of 1864. A second term would vindicate Lincoln’s first term and give him the ability and power to move forward, not only winning the Civil War, but also pursuing what he was already calling Reconstruction. If a Democrat was elected President, the Civil War would almost certainly end via negotiations, and the Union would be permanently divided and emancipation would be reversed. Before Gettysburg and Vicksburg, it seemed almost certain that Lincoln would be a single-term President, like every one of his predecessors since Jackson.
What Lincoln had going for him, after Gettysburg and Vicksburg was serious momentum. That being said, the Radical Republicans didn’t think Lincoln had gone nearly far or fast enough in prosecuting the war, while even moderate Democrats felt Lincoln had gone too far too fast. Lincoln had alienated the extremists in both parties, so his political fate rested with the moderates in both parties . . . and then there was the upcoming reality of conducting a Presidential election in the midst of a Civil War. It was due to the Constitutional system in which the election proceeded as scheduled, and that Lincoln would recognize the result if he was defeated. Democrats portrayed Lincoln as a tyrant, yet Lincoln didn’t even remotely consider delaying or canceling the Election of 1864.
What Lincoln had going for him, after Gettysburg and Vicksburg was serious momentum. That being said, the Radical Republicans didn’t think Lincoln had gone nearly far or fast enough in prosecuting the war, while even moderate Democrats felt Lincoln had gone too far too fast. Lincoln had alienated the extremists in both parties, so his political fate rested with the moderates in both parties . . . and then there was the upcoming reality of conducting a Presidential election in the midst of a Civil War. It was due to the Constitutional system in which the election proceeded as scheduled, and that Lincoln would recognize the result if he was defeated. Democrats portrayed Lincoln as a tyrant, yet Lincoln didn’t even remotely consider delaying or canceling the Election of 1864.
During late-1863, Lincoln previewed his plan after the Civil War which he called
Reconstruction. Among his points in his plan was that he would pardon those in rebellion if they took an Oath of Allegiance to the US, which included recognizing emancipation. Once the war was over and slavery abolished, Lincoln’s plan left it up to the states the level of basic rights granted to Black Americans. Lincoln stated that the federal government would only recognize former state governments from the CSA if 10% of the state’s voters (based on the Election of 1860) pledged loyalty to his terms contained in Reconstruction. To Abolitionists such as Wendell Philips, Lincoln’s Reconstruction plan was a sham for Black Americans.
By the Spring of 1864, the Radical Republicans had worked themselves into such a lather against Lincoln that they made it their mission to deny Lincoln the Republican nomination. The problem for the Radical Republicans was that they could not find a candidate of their own that had a chance to dethrone Lincoln. VP Hannibal Hamlin refused to run, and SecTreas Salmon P. Chase, who definitely had the ambition to be President, didn’t even have support from his home state of Ohio. The focus of the Radical Republicans shifted to Grant, who stated that he was a staunch Lincoln man.
On 1 March 1864, Congress authorized Grant his commission to Lt. General, the first overall commander of US military forces since George Washington. Grant agreed with Lincoln that negotiations were futile, and that total victory was the goal. In promoting Grant and then unleashing him, in effect Lincoln pursued his moral course of the war through the harshest military means - the Civil War was going to become much worse in terms of intensity, frequency of battles, and casualties during the Spring of 1864.
Reconstruction. Among his points in his plan was that he would pardon those in rebellion if they took an Oath of Allegiance to the US, which included recognizing emancipation. Once the war was over and slavery abolished, Lincoln’s plan left it up to the states the level of basic rights granted to Black Americans. Lincoln stated that the federal government would only recognize former state governments from the CSA if 10% of the state’s voters (based on the Election of 1860) pledged loyalty to his terms contained in Reconstruction. To Abolitionists such as Wendell Philips, Lincoln’s Reconstruction plan was a sham for Black Americans.
By the Spring of 1864, the Radical Republicans had worked themselves into such a lather against Lincoln that they made it their mission to deny Lincoln the Republican nomination. The problem for the Radical Republicans was that they could not find a candidate of their own that had a chance to dethrone Lincoln. VP Hannibal Hamlin refused to run, and SecTreas Salmon P. Chase, who definitely had the ambition to be President, didn’t even have support from his home state of Ohio. The focus of the Radical Republicans shifted to Grant, who stated that he was a staunch Lincoln man.
On 1 March 1864, Congress authorized Grant his commission to Lt. General, the first overall commander of US military forces since George Washington. Grant agreed with Lincoln that negotiations were futile, and that total victory was the goal. In promoting Grant and then unleashing him, in effect Lincoln pursued his moral course of the war through the harshest military means - the Civil War was going to become much worse in terms of intensity, frequency of battles, and casualties during the Spring of 1864.
Spring 1864: Grant started his march towards Richmond (VA), engaging Lee’s army again and again, and experiencing defeat or stalemate with horrific casualties on both sides. What was different about Grant was that after every failed engagement, Grant moved forward trying to get around Lee’s right flank. From the Battle of the Wilderness
though Cold Harbor, there were far more Union and Confederate casualties in a very short period of time, more than any other comparable time frame in the war so far. By early-June 1864, Lee had placed his Army of Northern Virginia at Petersburg, and started to construct a huge network of trenches. Failing to get to Petersburg first, Grant started to encircle Lee’s forces, and then to try and pierce through Lee’s defenses, which meant stalemate.
As the Summer of 1864 began, it still seemed that Lincoln remained popular with most Northern Republicans. The Republican National Convention convened in Baltimore in June 1864, and Lincoln was easily nominated. The most controversial plank of the Republican platform was a demand for an amendment to the Constitution to abolish slavery, which had already been proposed on 14 December 1863 in the House by a representative from Ohio. As the Civil War dragged on and Union casualties mounted, an increasing number of Northerners were far more open to the abolition of slavery.
On 8 April 1864, the abolition amendment was finally officially introduced in the Senate, with a two-thirds majority required under the Constitution to be formally proposed by the chamber. However, on 15 June 1864 in the House, the amendment didn’t quite reach the two-thirds threshold. Lincoln wanted to play the waiting game until committing himself to the abolition amendment, and the Republican National Convention in Baltimore in June gave him his opening to do so via the platform.
though Cold Harbor, there were far more Union and Confederate casualties in a very short period of time, more than any other comparable time frame in the war so far. By early-June 1864, Lee had placed his Army of Northern Virginia at Petersburg, and started to construct a huge network of trenches. Failing to get to Petersburg first, Grant started to encircle Lee’s forces, and then to try and pierce through Lee’s defenses, which meant stalemate.
As the Summer of 1864 began, it still seemed that Lincoln remained popular with most Northern Republicans. The Republican National Convention convened in Baltimore in June 1864, and Lincoln was easily nominated. The most controversial plank of the Republican platform was a demand for an amendment to the Constitution to abolish slavery, which had already been proposed on 14 December 1863 in the House by a representative from Ohio. As the Civil War dragged on and Union casualties mounted, an increasing number of Northerners were far more open to the abolition of slavery.
On 8 April 1864, the abolition amendment was finally officially introduced in the Senate, with a two-thirds majority required under the Constitution to be formally proposed by the chamber. However, on 15 June 1864 in the House, the amendment didn’t quite reach the two-thirds threshold. Lincoln wanted to play the waiting game until committing himself to the abolition amendment, and the Republican National Convention in Baltimore in June gave him his opening to do so via the platform.
The last phase of the Republican convention was nominating the VP. As a political calculation in 1864, the mainstream Republican Party (excepting the Radical Republicans) had temporarily rebranded itself as the National Union Party. Current VP Hannibal Hamlin (ME) was no longer seen as a boon for the ticket, since New England was a lock to vote for Lincoln. The Republicans and Lincoln needed a VP candidate that would resonate with moderates that supported the war, which led to the thinking that perhaps the VP nominee should be a “War Democrat”. The leading figure in that category by far was Senator Andrew Johnson (D; TN), who had become a political hero in the North, since he was the only Southern member of the House or the Senate that remained at his post during the Civil War. Lincoln, ever politically astute, wanted the convention to decide who would be the VP nominee. While Johnson was a Unionist, he was also a virulent racist who endorsed the institution of slavery, while at the same time reviled the South’s Planter Class. Representative Thaddeus Stevens (R; PA), the Radical Republican leader of the House, wanted to know why the party couldn’t find a War Democrat that was not from the South.
So why did Lincoln agree with the convention’s nomination for Johnson as VP? What Johnson brought to the ticket was votes, votes that Lincoln desperately needed since the tide of war hadn’t yet been turned. Johnson, the thinking went, would certainly attract votes from the War Democrats, and perhaps a significant number of moderate Democrats. No thought was given if the worst happened, that Johnson would be thrust into the Presidency due to assassination or death in office by natural causes. After the convention, Lincoln pocket-vetoed the Radical Republican Wade-Davis Bill for a much harsher plan of Reconstruction. At the same time, Confederate forces under the command of General Jubal Early reached so close to DC that they were able to see the Capitol, which created another frenzy-of-fear in DC. When Early’s forces were finally driven away, Lincoln was actually there, close enough to the battle to be in harm’s way. The war’s apparent stalemate and the increasing casualties decreased the level of confidence with the Republican Party after the convention in Baltimore.
So why did Lincoln agree with the convention’s nomination for Johnson as VP? What Johnson brought to the ticket was votes, votes that Lincoln desperately needed since the tide of war hadn’t yet been turned. Johnson, the thinking went, would certainly attract votes from the War Democrats, and perhaps a significant number of moderate Democrats. No thought was given if the worst happened, that Johnson would be thrust into the Presidency due to assassination or death in office by natural causes. After the convention, Lincoln pocket-vetoed the Radical Republican Wade-Davis Bill for a much harsher plan of Reconstruction. At the same time, Confederate forces under the command of General Jubal Early reached so close to DC that they were able to see the Capitol, which created another frenzy-of-fear in DC. When Early’s forces were finally driven away, Lincoln was actually there, close enough to the battle to be in harm’s way. The war’s apparent stalemate and the increasing casualties decreased the level of confidence with the Republican Party after the convention in Baltimore.
All the while, former Union Commander of the Army of the Potomac, George McClellan, was closely watching the unfolding events. McClellan had long been pursued by the Democrats as a potential Presidential candidate, and McClellan wanted revenge for his (double) removal from command by Lincoln in 1862. McClellan was a War Democrat, and to get the Democratic nomination, he needed to get support from the Peace Democrats to have a chance for the nomination. During the Summer of 1864, Horace Greeley crowed that Lincoln’s chances for reelection were doomed, and the South viewed Lincoln’s certain defeat as their major chance to negotiate their way out from the hell they were experiencing.
Lincoln was repeatedly told by various influential Northerners that his stand on abolishing slavery must be softened as a condition for even a chance at negotiating an end to the war. There was even open talk from powerful Republicans that Lincoln should be replaced as the party’s nominee. By August 1864, Lincoln thought he was a lame-duck President, and that his vision for the nation would be lost. Yet Lincoln refused to alter his stance on the abolition of slavery, seeing doing so as far worse than losing the Election of 1864. Lincoln had decided that he would win-or-lose on emancipation - he was all-in.
Lincoln was repeatedly told by various influential Northerners that his stand on abolishing slavery must be softened as a condition for even a chance at negotiating an end to the war. There was even open talk from powerful Republicans that Lincoln should be replaced as the party’s nominee. By August 1864, Lincoln thought he was a lame-duck President, and that his vision for the nation would be lost. Yet Lincoln refused to alter his stance on the abolition of slavery, seeing doing so as far worse than losing the Election of 1864. Lincoln had decided that he would win-or-lose on emancipation - he was all-in.
3 September 1864, The Fall of Atlanta: General Sherman taking Atlanta turned August’s war skeptics into September’s war hawks, and Lincoln’s prospects for reelection considerably improved. A month before the Fall of Atlanta, Lincoln received good news on the war front when Admiral David Farragut’s forces took key forts that protected Mobile (AL), which was the last active Confederate port on the Gulf Coast. The news of the Union victories at Mobile Bay and Atlanta proved to be the military turning points that galvanized Lincoln’s reelection campaign.
During the Campaign of 1864, factions within the Democratic Party issued pamphlets and articles stating that the Republican Party was hellbent on mixing the races (e.g. interracial marriage). In a New York weekly newspaper, Lincoln was labeled “Abraham Africanus the First”. The Democratic disinformation campaign continued with diatribes claiming that Lincoln would not surrender the Presidency if McClellan was elected. Many Democrats trumpeted their belief that a victorious McClellan wouldn’t even wait for Inauguration Day, using Union troops to forcibly remove Lincoln from the White House.
Lincoln kept repeating the obvious, that if he lost the election, he would remain in office until 4 March 1865, and then transfer power to the winner of the election, as directed in the Constitution. Several states created absentee ballots for Union soldiers in the field, something of which Grant was very supportive. However, in states where Democrats held sway, there were no such efforts. Lincoln and SecWar Stanton started to make sure that soldiers from such states as IL, IN, and NJ were granted furloughs to Republican-leaning soldiers so they could go back home and physically vote.
During the Campaign of 1864, factions within the Democratic Party issued pamphlets and articles stating that the Republican Party was hellbent on mixing the races (e.g. interracial marriage). In a New York weekly newspaper, Lincoln was labeled “Abraham Africanus the First”. The Democratic disinformation campaign continued with diatribes claiming that Lincoln would not surrender the Presidency if McClellan was elected. Many Democrats trumpeted their belief that a victorious McClellan wouldn’t even wait for Inauguration Day, using Union troops to forcibly remove Lincoln from the White House.
Lincoln kept repeating the obvious, that if he lost the election, he would remain in office until 4 March 1865, and then transfer power to the winner of the election, as directed in the Constitution. Several states created absentee ballots for Union soldiers in the field, something of which Grant was very supportive. However, in states where Democrats held sway, there were no such efforts. Lincoln and SecWar Stanton started to make sure that soldiers from such states as IL, IN, and NJ were granted furloughs to Republican-leaning soldiers so they could go back home and physically vote.
During early-October 1864, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney died, and Lincoln was immediately intrigued by the possibility of nominating SecTreas Salmon P. Chase, a firm Abolitionist, for the vacancy in the Supreme Court. Lincoln believed that a “Chase Court” would be far more supportive of his Reconstruction policies, but he knew he would have to wait until after the Election of 1864 to nominate Chase in the Senate, due to the obvious political reasons.
As Election Day morphed into Election Night, it became increasingly obvious that Lincoln had defeated McClellan in a landslide, with 55% of the popular vote to McClellan’s 45%. In the Electoral College, Lincoln’s advantage was 212 to 21 (with 17 Electoral Votes invalidated). In the dozen states that allowed absentee voting for soldiers, Lincoln had 78% of the vote compared to the overall 53% of the popular vote in those same states.
It was not too much to say that in winning reelection, Lincoln had won a major battle in the Civil War. Lincoln went back to work, relieved and encouraged. Among the items Lincoln pursued was getting the abolition of slavery amendment formally proposed by both the House and the Senate when Congress resumed session in December 1864 . . .
As Election Day morphed into Election Night, it became increasingly obvious that Lincoln had defeated McClellan in a landslide, with 55% of the popular vote to McClellan’s 45%. In the Electoral College, Lincoln’s advantage was 212 to 21 (with 17 Electoral Votes invalidated). In the dozen states that allowed absentee voting for soldiers, Lincoln had 78% of the vote compared to the overall 53% of the popular vote in those same states.
It was not too much to say that in winning reelection, Lincoln had won a major battle in the Civil War. Lincoln went back to work, relieved and encouraged. Among the items Lincoln pursued was getting the abolition of slavery amendment formally proposed by both the House and the Senate when Congress resumed session in December 1864 . . .