Then it will be my duty to so co-operate with the President elect, as to save the Union between the election and the inauguration; as he will have secured his election on such ground that he cannot possibly save it afterward.[253]
The Democratic platform followed the "Peace wing" of the party and called the war a "failure"; but their candidate, McClellan, supported the war and repudiated the platform. Meanwhile, Lincoln emboldened Grant with more troops and Republican party support. Sherman's capture of Atlanta in September and David Farragut's capture of Mobile ended defeatism.[254] The Democratic Party was deeply split, with some leaders and most soldiers openly for Lincoln. The National Union Party was united by Lincoln's support for emancipation. State Republican parties stressed the perfidy of the Copperheads.[255] On November 8, Lincoln carried all but three states, including 78 percent of Union soldiers.[256]

Lincoln's second inaugural address at the almost completed Capitol building, March 4, 1865
On March 4, 1865, Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address. In it, he deemed the war casualties to be God's will. 