What would _you_ do in my position?
Would you drop the war where it is, or would you prosecute it in the future with elder-stalk squirts charged with rose-water?
Would you deal lighter blows rather than heavier ones?
Would you give up the contest leaving every available means unapplied?
I am in no boastful mood: I shall not do more than I can, but 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 pressure of these political events in Louisiana had increased Mr.
Lincoln's desire to attempt some form of reconstruction, and the admission of Messrs.

Flanders and Hahn to seats in the House of Representatives had to a certain degree misled him as to the temper and tendency of Congress on the whole subject of re-establishing civil government in the insurrectionary States.

During the year 1862, when the original movements were made in Louisiana, the military situation grew so critical and so discouraging that the Administration had no time for the consideration of any other subject than the raising of men and money.