...measures seemed the only alternative to disintegration and defeat. In a famous statement he posed the "grave question whether any government, not too strong...strong enough to maintain its own existence, in great emergencies."1s If the war were lost, government, country, and Constitution itself would all fall together:...

...reprinted in Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln,*. 7, p. 255. Rutgers University Press (1953, 1990). It has long been a grave question whether any government,...maintain its own existence, in great emergencies. "Response to a Serenade," November 10, 1864, reprinted in Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln,v. 8,...

...notified me that all my official responsibilities were soon to be lifted off my back." 23 10 NOVEMBER 1864 It has long been a grave question whether any government,...maintain its own existence, in great emergencies. On this point the present rebellion brought our republic to a severe test; and a presidential election...

...on the principle of majority rule, he was willing to submit his presidential record to the voters. "It has long been a grave question whether any government,...maintain its own existence, in great emergencies," he told a group of citizens shortly after he was reelected. Having disclaimed despotic intentions,...

..." Addressing a crowd that surged about the White House two nights after the election, Lincoln said: "It has long been a grave question whether any government,...maintain its own existence, in great emergencies." The election, "a political war," had "partially paralyzed" the loyal people and so had weakened them,...

...the impact of its weaknesses. He was careful not to become an elected dictator and therefore said, "It has long been a grave question whether any government,...strong enough to maintain its own existence, in great emergencies."17 While presidential power is always a contentious subject, a democratic leader must...

...McClellan resigned from the army and wrote of the election, "For my country's sake I deplore the result." "It has long been a grave question whether any government,...maintain its own existence, in great emergencies," Lincoln said in responding to a postelection serenade at the Executive Mansion. "We can not have free...

...when he expressed the enduring dilemma of democracy. "It has long been a grave question," he said, "whether any government not too strong for the liberties...can be strong enough to maintain its own existence." That old question about finding the proper balance between an all-powerful government and an ineffectual...

...well-wishers appeared at the White House, Lincoln delivered a brief prepared speech in which he announced: "It has long been a grave question whether any government, not too strong for the liberties of the people, can be strong enough to maintain its own existence, in great emergencies." The rebellion,...

...day after the election, he talked about the remarkable position in which the country found itself: It has long been a grave question whether any government,...maintain its own existence, in great emergencies. On this point the present rebellion brought our republic to a severe test; and a presidential election...