“In the joy of my heart I congratulate the people of this
Government that the old ship of state has at its helm a
statesman who, despite the storms, the howling tempests,
the Cimmerian darkness which enshrouds us, stands boldly
and fearlessly at his post, unawed, calm, self-possessed,
ready for any emergency.
“The great speech, portions of which it has been my
privilege to peruse, is only second in importance to
President Lincoln’s proclamation which liberated four
millions of slaves; and, indeed, this speech carried out is
virtually but the fulfilling of that proclamation.”