Diary from March 4, 1861, to November 12, 1862

For the first time in my life I assisted at the simplest and grandest spectacle--the inauguration of a President. Lincoln's message good, according to circumstances, but not conclusive; it is not positive; it discusses questions, but avoids to assert. May his mind not be altogether of the same kind. Events will want and demand more positiveness and action than the message contains assertions. The immense majority around me seems to be satisfied. Well, well; I wait, and prefer to judge and to admire when actions will speak. I am sure that a great drama will be played, equal to any one known in history, and...