Abraham Lincoln actually said...

"By order of the President of the United States"

"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."

"It has long been a grave question whether any government, not too strong for the liberties of its people, can be strong enough to maintain its own existence, in great emergencies."