“This is just as I expected, and just what would happen with any declaration I could make,” Lincoln wrote. “These political fiends are not half sick enough yet. ‘Party malice’ and not ‘public good’ possesses them entirely.” Lincoln found further support for his own silence in the gospel of St. Matthew. “ ‘They seek a sign,’ ” he told Raymond, “ ‘and no sign shall be given them.’ At least such is my present feeling and purpose.”
