Abraham Lincoln actually said...

"We can not have free government without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us."

"It has demonstrated that a people's government can sustain a national election, in the midst of a great civil war."

"Human-nature will not change."

"While I am deeply sensible to the high compliment of a re-election; and duly grateful, as I trust, to Almighty God for having directed my countrymen to a right conclusion, as I think, for their own go..."