Greeley, perhaps the most hysterical man of genius America has produced, made his paper the organ of the wail.  He wrote frantic appeals to the government to cease fighting, do what could be done by negotiation, and if nothing could be done—­at least, stop “these rivers of human blood.”

The Vindictives saw their opportunity.  They would capitalize the wail.  The President should be dealt with yet.

XXX.  THE PRESIDENT VERSUS THE VINDICTIVES

Now that the Vindictives had made up their minds to fight, an occasion was at their hands.  Virtually, they declared war on the President by refusing to recognize a State government which he had set up in Arkansas.  Congress would not admit Senators or Representatives from the Reconstructed State.  But on this issue, Lincoln was as resolute to fight to a finish as were any of his detractors.  He wrote to General Steele, commanding in Arkansas: 

“I understand that Congress declines to admit to seats the persons sent as Senators and Representatives from Arkansas.  These persons apprehend that, in consequence, you may not support the new State government there as you otherwise would.  My wish is that you give that government and the people there the same support and protection that you would if the members had been admitted, because in no event, nor in any view of the case, can this do harm, while it will be the best you can do toward suppressing the rebellion."(1)

The same day Chase resigned.  The reason he assigned was, again, the squabble over patronage.  He had insisted on an appointment of which the President disapproved.  Exactly what moved him may be questioned.  Chase never gave his complete confidence, not even to his diary.  Whether he thought that the Vindictives would now take him up as a rival of Lincoln, continues doubtful.  Many men were staggered by his action.  Crittenden, the Registrar of the Treasury, was thrown into a panic.  “Mr. President,” said he, “this is worse than another Bull Run.  Pray let me go to Secretary Chase and see if I can not induce him to withdraw his resignation.  Its acceptance now might cause a financial panic.”  But Lincoln was in a fighting mood.  “Chase thinks he has become indispensable to the country,” he told Chittenden.  “He also thinks he ought to be President; he has no doubt whatever about that.  He is an able financier, a great statesman, and at the bottom a patriot . . he is never perfectly happy unless he is thoroughly miserable and able to make everybody else just as uncomfortable as he is himself. .  He is either determined to annoy me or that I shall pat him on the shoulder and coax him to stay.  I don’t think I ought to do it.  I will take him at his word."(2)

He accepted the resignation in a note that was almost curt:  “Of all I have said in commendation of your ability and fidelity, I have nothing to unsay; and yet you and I have reached a point of mutual embarrassment in our official relations which it seems can not be overcome or longer sustained consistently with the public service."(3)