Long Abraham Lincoln A Little Longer

Harper's Weekly published this cartoon showing the 6'4" Abraham Lincoln "getting longer" with his second term in office secured.

Lincoln obtained his second term after voters in the Border and Northern States went to the polls on November 8, 1864, choosing between him and Democrat George McClellan. Lincoln defeated McClellan by a 55% to 45% margin in the popular vote and a 212 to 21 landslide in the electoral college.

In addition to returning Lincoln to office, voters also delivered 50 additional seats to Republicans in the House of Representatives and two seats in the Senate. The particularly large gain in the House gave Republicans 70% control of that body and ensured that the proposed 13th Amendment abolishing slavery would eventually be passed. For Lincoln it was vindication of his steady policy of restoring the Union and the total abandonment of slavery.