ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sra,—The following extract from Thayer's Life of Abraham Lincoln may be of interest at the present moment :-
" In less than two months after his renomination, the President [Abraham Lincoln) resolved to issue a call for five hundred thousand more troops. On laying the subject before the Cabinet, objections were provoked at once. It will prove disastrous,' said one. ' It will defeat your re-election, Mr. President,' sug- gested 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 oontroversy. 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 elected, but it is necessary that our brave boys at the front should be supported and the country saved. I shall call for five hundred thousand more men, and if I go down under the measure I will go down like the Cumberland, with my colours flying."'
When will our statesmen rise to the height of this great
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