To his friend Bowen, Lincoln avowed during the electioneering-time that
he was sure "from the word go," to become President, though the split
of the opposition into three parties was materially helpful: Douglas,
Bell, and Breckenridge. He thought the reward due him as having gone
"his whole length" for the Republican party, almost his creation. So he
frankly said on his success:
"I cannot conceal the fact that I am a very happy man. Who could help
being so under such circumstances?"--(To H. C. Bowen, of the New York
_Independent._)
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