Mr. Chase.  Mr. Lincoln was visibly affected.  The tones of confidence, sympathy, personal regard, were strangers to him at that time.  Softening, almost melting, he came round to us, shook our hands again and again, returned to his place, and standing there, took up and opened out, from their remote origin, the whole web of matters connected with the present complication.  He spoke an hour—­calm, clear, direct, simple.  He reprehended Blair severely, and stated that he had no knowledge of his speech until after Blair left Washington.  We were permitted to communicate this to Mr. Chase.  He was satisfied with the President’s explanation, and at the Baltimore Convention my large acquaintance enabled me to open the way for Governor Dennison of Ohio to become its presiding officer.  All recognized the good effect of the organization of that body by the friends of Mr. Chase.”

The National Republican Convention which met at Baltimore on the 8th of June adopted resolutions heartily approving the course of the administration and especially the policy of emancipation, and completed its good work by nominating Abraham Lincoln as its candidate for President for another term.  Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, was nominated for Vice-President.  That Lincoln was gratified at this proof of confidence and esteem there can be no doubt.  In his acceptance of the nomination, he said, with the most delicate modesty:  “I view this call to a second term as in no wise more flattering to myself than as an expression of the public judgment that I may better finish a difficult work than could one less severely schooled to the task.”  And with characteristic humor, he thanked a visiting delegation for their good opinion of him, saying, “I have not permitted myself to conclude that I am the best man in the country; but I am reminded of the old Dutch farmer who remarked to a companion that it was not best to swap horses while crossing a stream.”

In July, 1864, great excitement and alarm were occasioned in Washington by a body of Confederate cavalry under General Early, who actually attacked the fortifications of the city, cut off its railroad communication with the North, and ravaged the country about with fire and sword.  For several days skirmishing was going on between the raiders and the troops in our fortifications.  The fact that the President himself was under fire from the enemy on this occasion gave the episode a decided thrill of realism.  He, with other government officials—­largely, no doubt, from motives of curiosity—­visited the scene of the disturbance and witnessed the miniature but sometimes spirited engagements.  Among these visitors was Secretary Welles, who thus records his experiences (Diary, July 12, 1864):  “Rode out today to Fort Stevens.  Looking out over the valley below, where the continual popping of pickets was going on, I saw a line of our men lying close near the bottom of the valley.  Senator Wade came up beside me.  We went into