The year closes more satisfactorily than it commenced. The
wretched faction in the Free States which makes country secondary to party had
then an apparent ascendency. They were dissatisfied with the way in which the
War was conducted, — with what they called the imbecility of the
Administration, — and, uniting with another faction which is opposed to the
War, they swept the States. The country understands them better than it did.
The War has been waged with success, although there have been in some instances
errors and misfortunes. But the heart of the nation is sounder and its hopes
brighter. The national faith was always strong, and grows firmer. The Rebels
show discontent, distrust, and feebleness. They evidently begin to despair, and
the loud declarations that they do not and will not yield confirm it.
The President has well maintained his position, and under
trying circumstances acquitted himself in a manner that will be better appreciated
in the future than now. It is not strange that he is sometimes deceived and
fails to discriminate rightly between true and false friends, and has, though
rarely, been the victim of the prejudices and duplicity of others.
The Cabinet, if a little discordant in some of its elements,
has been united as regards him. Chase has doubtless some aspirations for the
place of Chief Executive, which are conflicting. Seward has, I think,
surrendered any expectation for the present, and shows wisdom in giving the
President a fair support. Blair and Bates are earnest friends of the President,
and so, I think, is Usher. Stanton is insincere, but will, I have no doubt, act
with Seward under present circumstances.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 499-500
No comments:
Post a Comment