The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln-VOL. VI (Chap. 1.190)

Song Meaning

This private correspondence from Abraham Lincoln to Hannibal Hamlin paints a stark picture of the immediate, underwhelming reception to a significant proclamation, likely the Emancipation Proclamation. The dominant tone is one of sober, almost weary, disappointment. Lincoln acknowledges the public praise and commendation, noting it's "all that a vain man could wish," yet immediately contrasts this with the grim reality: "the stocks have declined, and troops come forward more slowly than ever." This highlights a profound disconnect between public perception and tangible, on-the-ground results. The core tension lies in the gap between hopeful rhetoric and practical outcomes. Lincoln observes that "breath alone kills no rebels," a sharp, almost cynical assessment of the proclamation's initial impact. The numbers are stark: "fewer troops in the field at the end of the six days than we had at the beginning," with the "attrition among the old outnumbering the addition by the new." This suggests a strategic gamble that, in its initial phase, is yielding negative returns. The effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their unvarnished honesty and Lincoln's precise, almost clinical, language. Phrases like "looked soberly in the face" and the stark arithmetic of troop numbers reveal a leader grappling with the harsh realities of war and policy implementation. The contrast between outward "commendation" and inward "not very satisfactory" results creates a powerful sense of private struggle behind public pronouncements.