Having prophesied disorders, the _Gazette_ now patted America on the back for her behaviour, but took occasion to renew old "professions of faith" against reunion: "Abraham Lincoln II reigns in succession to Abraham Lincoln I, the first Republican monarch of the Federal States, and so far as we are concerned we are very glad of it, because the measure of the man is taken and known....

It is most creditable to the law-abiding habits of the people that the elections ...

passed off as they have done....

Mr.Lincoln has four long years of strife before him; and as he seems little inclined to change his advisers, his course of action, or his generals, we do not believe that the termination of his second period of government will find him President of the United States[1239]." The _Times_ was disinclined, for once, to moralize, and was cautious in comment: "Ever since he found himself firmly established in his office, and the first effervescence of national feeling had begun to subside, we have had no great reason to complain of the conduct of Mr.Lincoln towards England.

His tone has been less exacting, his language has been less offensive and, due allowance being made for the immense difficulties of his situation, we could have parted with Mr.Lincoln, had such been the pleasure of the American people, without any vestige of ill-will or ill-feeling.