Concede that the new government of Louisiana is only to what it should be as the egg is to the fowl, we shall sooner have the fowl by hatching the egg than by smashing it." Mr.Lincoln described also at some length the process by which he had been induced to try the Louisiana plan.

Like all his conclusions it was reached after much consultation and serious reflection.

He was conscientiously convinced that, all things considered, it was the promptest and most feasible process of re-establishing civil government in the insurrectionary States.

Mr.Lincoln was especially anxious that neither the ruling power nor the conquered rebels should be needless procrastination become accustomed to military government--a form of administration which he regarded as very tempting, but very sure to undermine, and in time to destroy, the real spirit of independence and self-government.

It was his belief, as he expressed it himself, that "We must begin with and mold from disorganized and discordant elements, nor is it a small additional embarrassment that we, the loyal people, differ among ourselves as to the mode, manner, and measure of reconstruction.