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NOTE.

THIS volume represents (with a few trifling alterations and some additions) the uncurtailed text of three papers written for "Good Words," under the title of "President Lincoln Judged by his own Words," but which, through the exigencies of periodical publication, had to be compressed into two (August and December, 1865.)

The main source from which the original papers were derived, was Mr. Raymond's earlier work, the " History of the Administration of President Lincoln" (New York, 1864), now superseded by his "Life and Public Services of Abraham Lincoln." From this latter volume I have borrowed, with but few exceptions, the additions now introduced. An earlier article by myself, also published in "Good Words," has also been appended.

I need hardly say that the work in no sense pretends to be a biography of the late President, the greater part of whose life is known as yet only in outline to the public.

J. M. L.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN

SELF-POURTRAYED.

"By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

CHAPTER I.

TO THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR, APRIL 14-15, 1861.

THE year of our Lord 1865 will leave its mark upon the record of the ages. It has witnessed the close of the most gigantic, the most unparalleled among civil wars. And, as almost the last scene in that great Transatlantic tragedy, it has witnessed an event which, of itself, would have sufficed to stamp such a mark for all time;-the murder, in the midst of his own people, of the twice-chosen

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