Lincoln, the unknown

150 • LINCOLN THE UNKNOWNIf Lincoln hadn't deleted the worst passages and toned theothers down, it might have caused war.Seward took a pinch of snuff and declared that he wouldlove to see a European power interfere in favor of South Carolina,for then the North would "pitch into that power," and allthe Southern States would help fight the foreign foe.And it very nearly became necessary to fight England. ANorthern gunboat held up a British mail-steamer on the highseas, took off two Confederate commissioners destined for Englandand France, and lodged them behind prison bars in Boston.England began preparing for war, shipped thousands oftroops across the Atlantic, landed them in Canada, and wasready to attack the North.Although Lincoln admitted it was "the bitterest pill he hadever swallowed," nevertheless he had to surrender the Confederatecommissioners and apologize.Lincoln was utterly astounded by some of Seward's wildideas. From the outset Lincoln had keenly realized that he,himself, was inexperienced in handling the vast and cruel responsibilitiesthat confronted him. He needed help—and wisdom,and guidance. He had appointed Seward hoping to getjust that. And see what had happened!All Washington was talking about Seward's running the administration.It touched Mrs. Lincoln's pride, and aroused herboiling wrath. With fire in her eye, she urged her humble husbandto assert himself."I may not rule myself," Lincoln assured her, "but certainlySeward shall not. The only ruler I have is my conscience andmy God and these men will have to learn that yet."The time came when all of them did.Salmon P. Chase was the Chesterfield of the Cabinet: strikinglyhandsome, six feet two inches tall, looking the part of aman born to rule, cultured, a classical scholar, master of threelanguages, and father of one of the most charming and popularhostesses in Washington society. Frankly, he was shockedto see a man in the White House who didn't know how to ordera dinner.Chase was pious, very pious: he attended church three timeson Sunday, quoted the Psalms in his bathtub, and put themotto "In God We Trust" on our national coins. Reading his