.. I do not think the U.S. Government have any
ill-intentions towards us, or any fixed purpose of availing
themselves of a tide of success to add a war with us to their
existing difficulties. Therefore whatever their bluster and
buncome may be at times, I think they will subside when the
popular clamour is over[1238]."
In early November, Lincoln was triumphantly re-elected receiving 212
electoral votes to 21 cast for McClellan. No disturbances such as the
_Gazette_ had gloomily foretold attended the event, and the tremendous
majority gained by the President somewhat stunned the press. Having
prophesied disorders, the _Gazette_ now patted America on the back for
her behaviour, but took occasion to renew old "professions of faith"
against reunion:
"Abraham Lincoln II reigns in succession to Abraham Lincoln
I, the first Republican monarch of the Federal States, and so
far as we are concerned we are very glad of it, because the
measure of the man is taken and known.... It is most
creditable to the law-abiding habits of the people that the
elections ... passed off as they have done.... Mr. Lincoln
has four long years of strife before him; and as he seems
little inclined to change his advisers, his course of action,
or his generals, we do not believe that the termination of
his second period of government will find him President of
the United States[1239].
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