The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death. By Henry J. Raymond. To which are added anecdotes and personal reminiscences of President Lincoln, by Frank B. Carpenter.

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THE LIFE, PUBLIC SERVICES, AND

drawn, and the canvass was prosecuted with earnestness,
but with less than the usual acrimony and intemperate
zeal. It was felt to be a contest of principle, and was
carried on with a gravity and decorum befitting its importance.
One of the incidents upon which great stress was laid
by the Opposition in the canvass, arose out of some proceedings in Tennessee, of which Andrew Jolnson still
remained military governor, with reference to the calling
of a convention and holding an election in the State.
Several efforts had been made in that direction during the
year. As early as January 26th, Governor Johnson had
issued a proclamation, ordering an election for county
officers, and in his proclamation had prescribed stringent
qualifications for voters, and a stringent oath which every
voter must take. Some of the judges of election thought,
however, that it was enough to require of voters to take
the oath of the President's amnesty proclamation. Accordingly, one of them wrote to Washington on the subject, as follows:
NASEIVILLE, February 20, 1864.
Hon. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.:
In county and State elections, must citizens of Tennessee take the oath
Ierscribed by Governor Johnson, or will the President's oath of amnesty
entitle them to vote? I have been appointed to hold the March election
in Cheatham County, and wish to act understandingly.
WARREN JQRDAN-.
The President himself answered by telegraph as follows:
WASHNGTON, February 20, 186.
WARREN JORDAN, Nashville:
In county elections you had better stand by Governor Johnson's plan;
otherwise you will have conflict and confusion. I have seen his plan.
A. LINCOLN.
This election was held with but indifferent success. A
convention was also held in May at Knoxville, but took
no important action. But, in September, another convention was called together for the purpose of reorgan