four hundred million dollars, or a sum equal to the cost of the war for two hundred days, on condition that hostilities cease by the first of April, 1865; to be paid in six per cent. government bonds, pro rata on their slave populations as shown by the census of 1860—­one half on April 1, the other half only upon condition that the Thirteenth Amendment be ratified by a requisite number of States before July 1, 1865.

It turned out that he was more humane and liberal than his constitutional advisers.  The indorsement in his own handwriting on the manuscript draft records the result of his appeal and suggestion: 

     “February 5, 1865.  To-day, these papers, which explain themselves,
     were drawn up and submitted to the cabinet, and unanimously
     disapproved by them.

     “A.  LINCOLN.”

With the words, “You are all opposed to me,” sadly uttered, the President folded up the paper and ceased the discussion.

The formal inauguration of Mr. Lincoln for his second presidential term took place at the appointed time, March 4, 1865.  There is little variation in the simple but impressive pageantry with which the official ceremony is celebrated.  The principal novelty commented upon by the newspapers was the share which the hitherto enslaved race had for the first time in this public and political drama.  Civic associations of negro citizens joined in the procession, and a battalion of negro soldiers formed part of the military escort.  The weather was sufficiently favorable to allow the ceremonies to take place on the eastern portico of the Capitol, in view of a vast throng of spectators.  The central act of the occasion was President Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which enriched the political literature of the Union with another masterpiece, and deserves to be quoted in full.  He said: 

“FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN:  At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first.  Then, a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper.  Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented.  The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all.  With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

“On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war.  All dreaded it—­all sought to avert it.  While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city