Though the Democrats were divided in the 1860 election, they came back strong in the 1862 midterm elections. By that point they had several issues to challenge the Lincoln administration. By the 1862 elections, Lincoln had already issued the Emancipation Proclamation and had passed the draft. Both issues brought the cry of tyranny. In the election, the Democrats were able to take 32 seats away from the Republicans in Congress.
Historically Speaking 