A Wife’s Disappointment unfolds amid rising tensions in Washington, where a newly formed “Select Committee” takes center stage in investigating the growing suspicions of treason within the government. The “Committee of Five,” which includes two Republicans, two pro-Union Democrats from the North, and one Southern Democrat, is tasked with uncovering any threats that might undermine the Union’s stability. This committee, propelled by information from Edwin M. Stanton, the newly appointed attorney general, delves into allegations of disloyalty. Stanton’s covert communications point to Isaac Toucey, the Secretary of the Navy, suggesting that his inaction as Southern forces overtook the federal navy yard in Pensacola is indicative of betrayal. The committee uncovers a troubling reality: twenty-eight naval ships remain unfit for service, despite a significant repair budget being allocated for their maintenance. This revelation paints a grim picture of the Navy’s preparedness in the face of growing Southern aggression.

As political unrest escalates and concerns of a Southern coup intensify, the committee shifts its focus to investigating possible threats against the capital, particularly with Lincoln’s inauguration fast approaching. The situation grows more tense as rumors circulate about an impending insurrection, which spurs military action. General Winfield Scott, a key figure in the military, responds by deploying additional troops to Washington in an attempt to quell fears of an uprising. This temporary show of force alleviates some anxiety, but the larger issue of the South’s resentment toward the North remains unresolved. Washington, as the seat of power, becomes the focal point of both political and military strategies, with officials on high alert for any signs of insurrection. The sense of an impending crisis becomes tangible, as each passing day brings the nation closer to the brink of conflict.

Within Congress, the divisions between “Black” Republicans and Southern Democrats grow more pronounced, with fierce debates further fracturing the political landscape. Jefferson Davis, a prominent figure in the South, voices his concerns about the looming threat of war, which sparks a surprisingly conciliatory response from Senator Seward. In a move that shocks many, Seward aligns with some Southern sentiments, arguing that states should have the right to regulate their own policies, particularly on the issue of slavery. This position, while intended to ease tensions, is met with strong disapproval from many Republicans, including Seward’s own wife. She openly criticizes her husband’s readiness to amend the Constitution in order to protect slavery and preserve the Union, highlighting her disappointment with his willingness to compromise on what she sees as a fundamental moral issue. Her reaction underscores the personal and ideological divides that were growing not only in the nation but within the very households of its leaders.

Despite Seward’s attempts at conciliation, his position reveals a critical misunderstanding of the deeper issues at play. The South’s increasing resentment toward the North’s moral condemnation of slavery becomes more pronounced, with many Southerners viewing this stance as a direct attack on their honor and way of life. The moral outrage that the North felt toward slavery was perceived in the South as an existential threat to their identity, further fueling the divide. As this resentment simmered, the potential for violence grew, and the delicate political balance that Seward sought to preserve began to collapse. Lincoln, too, struggled with understanding how to bridge this growing chasm. While he recognized that the issue of slavery lay at the heart of the national discord, he acknowledged that the divisions were so entrenched that they could not be easily resolved through political negotiation. The rift between North and South, which had been building for years, was now on the verge of erupting into full-scale war, with both sides unwilling to compromise on what they saw as their fundamental rights and values.

Seward’s efforts to temper the tensions by accommodating the South were futile because the core issue—the moral opposition to slavery—was irreconcilable. The South’s insistence on preserving slavery as an institution was rooted in economic, social, and cultural values that the North viewed as outdated and unjust. As a result, any attempt to placate the South only served to further alienate those in the North who saw slavery as a moral wrong. Lincoln’s navigation of this treacherous political terrain became even more complex as the nation drifted closer to civil war. The reality that the country could not reconcile its fundamental differences regarding slavery was becoming undeniable, and the looming threat of violence seemed inevitable as each passing day brought the nation closer to a breaking point.

Through this chapter, the emotional and political turmoil of a nation on the brink of war is laid bare. The personal disappointments, particularly within the Seward household, mirror the larger national crisis, reflecting the deep divides that existed within both families and governments alike. The failure to reach a political solution to the slavery issue, combined with the growing mistrust between the North and South, set the stage for the Civil War. Lincoln’s challenge was not only to navigate the political intricacies of a divided nation but also to manage the intense emotions and conflicting interests that would ultimately define the course of the war. The chapter captures a pivotal moment in American history, where the ideal of union collided with the harsh reality of an entrenched moral divide, one that would soon tear the nation apart.