"You have done nobly, Mr.Stanton, and all the mistakes are mine.

I reckon I am about the poorest effigy of a War President that ever cursed an unhappy country." The other did not reply.

He was an honest man who did not deal in smooth phrases.
"I'd resign to-morrow," Lincoln went on.

"No railsplitter ever laid down his axe at the end of a hard day so gladly as I would lay down my office.

But I've got to be sure first that my successor will keep faith with this nation.