Therefore, while waiting for a
victory he had to perform the difficult task of restraining the
impatience of both sides. This he did in very positive language.
To a man in Louisiana, who complained that Union feeling was
being crushed out by the army in that State, he wrote:
"I am a patient man, always willing to forgive on the Christian
terms of repentance, and also to give ample time for repentance.
Still, I must save this government if possible. What I cannot do,
of course I will not do; but it may as well be understood, once
for all, that I shall not surrender this game leaving any
available card unplayed." Two days later he answered another
Louisiana critic. "What would you do in my position? Would you
drop the war where it is? Or would you prosecute it in future
with elder-stalk squirts charged with rosewater? Would you deal
lighter blows rather than heavier ones? Would you give up the
contest leaving any available means unapplied? I am in no
boastful mood. I shall not do more than I can, and I shall do all
I can, to save the government, which is my sworn duty, as well as
my personal inclination. I shall do nothing in malice. What I
deal with is too vast for malicious dealing."
The President could afford to overlook the abuse of hostile
newspapers, but he also had to meet the criticisms of
over-zealous Republicans. The prominent Republican editor, Horace
Greeley, printed in his paper, the "New York Tribune," a long
"Open Letter," ostentatiously addressed to Mr.
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