From the depths of despair the North swung to the wildest enthusiasm and in the election which followed Abraham Lincoln was swept into power again on a tidal wave. He received in round numbers two million five hundred thousand votes, McClellan two millions. His majority by States in the electoral college was overwhelming—two hundred and twelve to his opponent's twenty-one.
The closing words of his second Inaugural rang clear and quivering with emotion over the vast crowd:
"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."
As the last echo died away among the marble pillars above, the sun burst through the clouds and flooded the scene. A mighty cheer swept the throng and the guns boomed their second salute. The war was closing in lasting peace and the sun shining on the finished dome of the Capitol of a new nation.
Betty Winter, leaning on John Vaughan's arm, was among the first to grasp his big, outstretched hand:
"A glorious day for us, sir," she cried, "a proud one for you!"
With a far-away look the President slowly answered:
"And all that I am in this world, Miss Betty, I owe to a woman—my angel mother—blessings on her memory!"
"I trust her spirit heard that beautiful speech," the girl responded tenderly.
She paused, looked up at John, blushed and added: