Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/367

ABRAHAM LINCOLN 297 weighing the motives of his contemporaries and the deepest problems of state, gives him pre-emi nence even among the illustrious men that have pre ceded and followed him in his great office. Simple and modest as he was in his demeanor, he was one of the most self-respecting of rulers. Although his kindness of heart was proverbial, although he was always glad to please and unwilling to offend, few presidents have been more sensible of the dignity of their office, and more prompt to maintain it against encroachments. He was at all times un questionably the head of the government and, though not inclined to interfere with the routine business of the departments, he tolerated no insub ordination in important matters. At one time, being conscious that there was an effort inside of his government to force the resignation of one of its members, he read in open cabinet a severe repri mand of what was going on, mentioning no names, and ordering peremptorily that no question should be asked, and no allusions be made to the incident then or thereafter. He did not except his most trusted friends or his most powerful generals from this strict sub ordination. When Mr. Seward went before him to meet the Confederate envoys at Hampton Roads, Mr. Lincoln gave him this written injunc tion: "You will not assume to definitely con summate anything"; and on March 3, 1865, when