Abraham Lincoln Summary 18

With His Cabinet Abraham Lincoln is

regarded by many historians as the greatest president ever to

stand at America's helm. This reputation is extremely well

deserved, as Lincoln was able to preserve the Union and

gain victory in the civil war, despite his fighting an uphill

battle against his own presidential cabinet. Had he not been

struggling against this divided government, President Lincoln

could have achieved victory with extreme efficiency and a

minimum of wanton bloodshed (Angle 659). After Lincoln

was inaugurated on March 4, 1861, he was forced to battle

a split cabinet because of campaign promises made to

various Republican factions, which made it almost

mandatory for certain individuals to be appointed to cabinet

posts. He ruled his cabinet with an iron hand, and often

acted without cabinet consent or advice. Although his

opponents called his method of rule "dictatorial" and

"unconstitutional," it was the only effective way to get

anything done (Simmons 142). In the beginning, Lincoln's

secretary of state, William H. Seward, clearly considered

himself the President's superior, and blandly offered to

assume the executive responsibility. He entered the cabinet

with the thought of becoming the power behind the 2

Presidential chair and openly opposed Lincoln's control of

the Union. This made Lincoln's position as Chief of State

exceedingly difficult and hindered his communication and

control of the military. As time passed, however, Seward

recognized Lincoln's capabilities and gave him complete

loyalty (Simmons 174). This could not be said of Salmon P.

Chase, Lincoln's first secretary of the treasury. Blinded by an

inflated ego, Chase pursued his own presidential aspirations.

He was in constant conflict with Seward, and in general

opposition to Lincoln, particularly over the issue of slavery.

Chase has been described as "jealous of the President," and

"overly ambitious." Lincoln's personal secretary, John

Nicolay, wrote,... [continues]

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