His words were almost to foreshadow the great tragedy of after years when declaring that _he felt he had no moral right to shirk, or even to count the chances of his own life in what might follow_.

In conclusion he said to Congress, "having thus chosen our own course without guile, and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear, and with manly hearts." The effect of this message upon the public opinion of the North was very great.

If there had been hesitation by any party or any class upon the subsidence of the first glow of patriotism which had animated the country after the assault on Sumter, Mr.Lincoln's words arrested it, and restored enthusiasm and ardor to all hearts.
Indeed, men of thought and discretion everywhere saw that the course of the President was fixed, and even if they differed from his conclusions, they were persuaded that safety could be secured only by following his counsels, and upholding his measures.

Mr.Lincoln had been throughout his life much given to reading, to argument, to induction, to speculation, to reflection.

He was now before the world as a man of whom decision and action were required, with the lives and fortunes of unborn millions depending upon his wisdom, with the fate of Republican liberty and Constitutional government at stake upon his success.