He had daily and hourly
to do all this. He was strong and courageous, with a steadfast
belief that the right would triumph in the end; but his nature
was at the same time sensitive and tender, and the sorrows and
pain of others hurt him more than did his own.
VIII. UNSUCCESSFUL GENERALS
So far Mr. Lincoln's new duties as President had not placed him
at any disadvantage with the members of his cabinet. On the old
question of slavery he was as well informed and had clearer ideas
than they. On the new military questions that had come up since
the inauguration, they, like himself, had to rely on the advice
of experienced officers of the army and navy; and since these
differed greatly, Mr. Lincoln's powerful mind was as able to
reach true conclusions as were men who had been governors and
senators. Yet the idea lingered that because he had never before
held high office, and because a large part of his life had been
passed in the rude surroundings of the frontier, he must of
necessity be lacking in power to govern--be weaker in will,
without tact or culture--must in every way be less fitted to cope
with the difficult problems so rapidly coming upon the
administration.
At the beginning even Secretary Seward shared this view. Mr.
Lincoln must have been surprised indeed, when, on the first day
of April, exactly four weeks after his inauguration, his
Secretary of State, the man he justly looked upon as the chief
member of his cabinet, handed him a paper on which were written
"Some Thoughts for the President's Consideration.
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