Lincoln was nominated for the Presidency, he was an unknown man; he had performed no important public service; his election was not due to personal popularity, nor to the strength of the party that he represented; but to the divisions among his opponents.
Boutwell discusses Lincoln's rise to the presidency despite being relatively unknown and lacking prior significant public service.
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He was the possessor of an elastic spirit; he was always hopeful of the future and in adversity he saw or fancied that he saw, days of prosperity for himself, for his party, for the commonwealth and for the country.
I believe now, as I did then, that it was for the best interests of this country, for the people of Santo Domingo, and all concerned, that the proposition should be received favorably.
If others depart from this rule in their dealings with us, we may be compelled to follow their precedent.
He was so great that it was not a humiliation to acknowledge a change in opinion, or to admit an error in policy or purpose.
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