The contest of arms was over, but the President realized that the great pressure of duty which had been weighing him down was not removed by the coming of peace.

Its character was changed, its exactions were perhaps less urgent, but withal he felt that the war would have been in vain unless, in exchange for all its agonies and all its burdens, there should come to the institutions of the country some great reforms, and to the people a new baptism of patriotic interest and philanthropic duty.

He dwelt with deep solicitude on the situation in the rebellious States, and, unable to speak as fully as he desired, and with evident emotion, "It may be my duty to make some new announcement to the people of the South.

I am considering, and shall not fail to act when satisfied that action will be proper." The "new announcement" to the South was never made.

Three days after it was promised, Mr.Lincoln met his fate.