GDG- Re: The Union giving up in 1864?

[Tom Ryan]

<<I agree with Professor McPherson's assessment that Lincoln was in serious
jeopardy of not winning his re-election bid - based on the conditions and
opinions that existed in August of 1864. One of the most powerful and often
repeated phrases: " A vote for Lincoln is a vote for four more years of war
and the loss of thousands of additional soldiers.">>

	The quote would seem to exemplify what must have been a growing popular
fatigue with the war, and the difficulty Lincoln was facing in the upcoming
election.  Only the overwhelming good news of battlefield victories would
have been enough to overcome the existing attitude on the part of the
electorate.

<<My students tend to be surprised that a great president like Lincoln
actually faced the real possibility of not being re-elected.>>

	It shows that young folks are emersed in Lincoln lore and the eulogies that
accompany discussions of 16th president.  It must be a shock to them to find
that he was human, and had faults and obstacles to overcome during his
presidency.

	Thanks for your thoughts on this, R.L.

Tom Ryan