Chapters 17-18 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 17 is called "The Greatest Question Ever Presented to Practical Statesmanship," referring to the question of the practical matter of providing a way for the rebellious states to re-join the Union. Lincoln begins to think about this issue well before victory is assured.

The chapter begins in the fall of 1863, in the period following the Gettysburg Address. He is now in a "commanding political position," Donald writes (p. 467), owing partly to the success of his recent public letters. People begin to mention the possibility of Lincoln running for reelection. only one president prior to Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, had ever served two terms, and it is something of a tradition that a president not run for reelection.

It is also considered inappropriate for a sitting president to openly campaign or seek to be nominated. Lincoln lets it be known to...