CHAPTER XXIV. Presidential Election of 1864.--Preliminary Movements.--General Sentiment favors Mr. Lincoln.--Some Opposition to his Renomination. --Secretary Chase a Candidate.--The "Pomeroy Circular."--Mr. Chase withdraws.--Republican National Convention.--Baltimore, June 7.-- Fremont and Cochrane nominated.--Speech of Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge. --Mr. Lincoln renominated.--Candidates for Vice-President.--Andrew Johnson of Tennessee nominated.--Democratic National Convention.-- Chicago, August 29.--Military Situation discouraging.--Character of the Convention.--Peace Party prevails.--Speeches of Belmont, Bigler, Hunt, Long, Seymour.--Nomination of General McClellan for President.--George H. Pendleton for Vice-President.--Platform.-- Suits Vallandigham.--General McClellan accepts, but evades the Platform.--General Fremont withdraws.--Success of the Union Army. --Mr. Lincoln's Popularity.--General McClellan steadily loses Ground.--Sheridan's Brilliant Victories.--General McClellan receives the Votes of only Three States.--Governor Seymour defeated in New York. CHAPTER XXV. President's Message, December, 1864.--General Sherman's March.-- Compensated Emancipation abandoned.--Thirteenth Amendment.--Earnestly recommended by the President.--He appeals to the Democratic Members. --Mr. Ashley's Energetic Work.--Democratic Opportunity.--Unwisely neglected.--Mr. Pendleton's Argument.--Final Vote.--Amendment adopted.--Cases arising under it.--Supreme Court.--Change of Judges at Different Periods.--Peace Conference at Fortress Monroe.-- Secretary Chase resigns.--Mr. Fessenden succeeds him.--Mr. Fessenden's Report.--Surrender of Lee.--General Grant's Military Character.-- Assassination of President Lincoln.--His Characteristics.--Cost of the War.--Compared with Wars of Other Nations.--Our Navy.--Created during the War.--Effective Blockade.--Its Effect upon the South.-- Its Influence upon the Struggle.--Relative Numbers in Loyal and Disloyal States.--Comparison of Union and Confederate Armies.-- Confederate Army at the Close of the War.--Union Armies compared with Armies of Foreign Countries.--Area of the War.--Its Effect upon the Cost.--Character of Edwin M. Stanton.