having been chosen by the entire people, was the one expression of the sovereignty of the people, and therefore, the repository of all these exceptional “war powers” that are dormant in time of peace.  Upon each of those issues he was destined to wage fierce battles with the politicians who controlled Congress, who sought to make Congress his master, who thwarted, tormented and almost defeated him.  In the light of subsequent history the first message has another aspect besides its significance as political science.  In its clear understanding of the implications of his attitude, it attains political second sight.  As Lincoln, immovable, gazes far into the future, his power of vision makes him, yet again though in a widely different sense, the “seer in a trance, Seeing all his own mischance.”

His troubles with Congress began at once.  The message was received on July fourth, politely, but with scant response to its ideas.  During two weeks, while Congress in its fatuousness thought that the battle impending in Virginia would settle things, the majority in Congress would not give assent to Lincoln’s view of what the war was about.  And then came Bull Run.  In a flash the situation changed.  Fatuousness was puffed out like a candle in a wind.  The rankest extremist saw that Congress must cease from its debates and show its hand; must say what the war was about; must inform the nation whether it did or did not agree with the President.

On the day following Bull Run, Crittenden introduced this resolution:  “That the present, deplorable civil war has been forced upon the country by the Disunionists of the Southern States, now in arms against the constitutional government, and in arms around the capital; that in this national emergency, Congress, banishing all feelings of mere passion and resentment, will recollect only its duty to the whole country; that this war is not waged on their part in any spirit of oppression or for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, or purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or established institutions of these States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve the Union, with all the dignity, equality, and rights of the several States unimpaired; and that as soon as these objects are accomplished, the war ought to cease.”  This Crittenden Resolution was passed instantly by both Houses, without debate and almost without opposition. (10)

Paradoxically, Bull Run had saved the day for Lincoln, had enabled him to win his first victory as a statesman.

XVIII.  THE JACOBIN CLUB