One Happy Day
To his friend Bowen, Lincoln avowed during the electioneering-time that he was sure “from the word go,” to become President, though the split of the opposition into three parties was materially helpful: Douglas, Bell, and Breckenridge. He thought the reward due him as having gone “his whole length” for the Republican party, almost his creation. So he frankly said on his success:
“I cannot conceal the fact that I am a very happy man. Who could help being so under such circumstances?”—(To H. C. Bowen, of the New York Independent.)