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"ONE WAR AT A TIME."
Nothing in Lincoln's entire career better illustrated the surprising
resources of his mind than his manner of dealing with "The Trent
Affair." The readiness and ability with which he met this perilous
emergency, in a field entirely new to his experience, was worthy the
most accomplished diplomat and statesman. Admirable, also, was his cool
courage and self-reliance in following a course radically opposed to
the prevailing sentiment throughout the country and in Congress, and
contrary to the advice of his own Cabinet.
Secretary of the Navy Welles hastened to approve officially the act of
Captain Wilkes in apprehending the Confederate Commissioners Mason and
Slidell, Secretary Stanton publicly applauded, and even Secretary
of State Seward, whose long public career had made him especially
conservative, stated that he was opposed to any concession or surrender
of Mason and Slidell.
But Lincoln, with great sagacity, simply said, "One war at a time."
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Stories and Anecdotes About the Life of Abraham Lincoln
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