Despite his early foray into extraconstitutionality, Lincoln generally respected constitutional restraints. In fact, political opponents for the most part were allowed free rein to criticize the administration; the press was rarely censored, even when editors called for the president’s assassination; elections were conducted freely and fairly, with some bending of the rules in Border States; courts remained open; and, with one exception, legislatures met unimpeded. When urged to confiscate Southern property in the North, Lincoln replied: “No, gentleman, never.” To rejoinders that the Confederates seized Northern property, he said: “They can afford to do a wrong—I cannot.” Democrats, however, railed against what they called the “irresponsible despotism of Abraham Lincoln!” It was to become a standard shibboleth in future political campaigns.
Source: Abraham Lincoln ∶ A Life ▫𓂃
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