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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume One + Constitutional Edition + +Author: Abraham Lincoln + +Commentator: Theodore Roosevelt, Carl Schurz, and Joseph Choate + +Editor: Arthur Brooks Lapsley + +Release Date: July 4, 2009 [EBook #2653] +Last Updated: October 29,2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LINCOLN'S PAPERS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE PAPERS AND WRITINGS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN + </h1> + <h2> + VOLUME ONE + </h2> + <h3> + CONSTITUTIONAL EDITION + </h3> + <h4> + Edited by Arthur Brooks Lapsley <br /><br /> + + With an Introduction by Theodore Roosevelt <br /><br /> + + The Essay on Lincoln by Carl Schurz <br /><br /> + + The Address on Lincoln by Joseph Choate <br /> <br /> + </h4> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>VOLUME 1.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> INTRODUCTORY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> INTRODUCTORY NOTE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> ABRAHAM LINCOLN: AN ESSAY BY CARL SHURZ </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> ABRAHAM LINCOLN, BY JOSEPH H. CHOATE </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> <big><b>THE WRITINGS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, + 1832-1843</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> <b>1832</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF SANGAMON COUNTY. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> <b>1833</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> TO E. C. BLANKENSHIP. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR POSTAGE RECEIPT </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> <b>1836</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> ANNOUNCEMENT OF POLITICAL VIEWS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> RESPONSE TO POLITICAL SMEAR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> TO MISS MARY OWENS. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> <b>1837</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> SPEECH IN ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> OPPOSITION TO MOB-RULE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> PROTEST IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE ON THE + SUBJECT OF SLAVERY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> TO MISS MARY OWENS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> TO JOHN BENNETT. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> TO MARY OWENS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> LEGAL SUIT OF WIDOW v.s. Gen. ADAMS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> LINCOLN AND TALBOTT IN REPLY TO GEN. ADAMS. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> Gen. ADAMS CONTROVERSY—CONTINUED </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> <b>1838</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> TO Mrs. O. H. BROWNING—A FARCE </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> <b>1839</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> REMARKS ON SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> TO ——— ROW. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> SPEECH ON NATIONAL BANK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> TO JOHN T. STUART. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> <b>1840</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> CIRCULAR FROM WHIG COMMITTEE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0035"> TO JOHN T. STUART. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0036"> RESOLUTION IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0037"> RESOLUTION IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0038"> REMARKS IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0039"> REMARKS IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0040"> <b>1841</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0041"> TO JOHN T. STUART—ON DEPRESSION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0042"> REMARKS IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0043"> CIRCULAR FROM WHIG COMMITTEE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0044"> AGAINST THE REORGANIZATION OF THE JUDICIARY. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0045"> TO JOSHUA F. SPEED—MURDER CASE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0046"> STATEMENT ABOUT HARRY WILTON. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0047"> TO MISS MARY SPEED—PRACTICAL SLAVERY + </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0048"> <b>1842</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0049"> TO JOSHUA F. SPEED—ON MARRIAGE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0050"> TO JOSHUA F. SPEED. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0051"> TO JOSHUA F. SPEED—ON DEPRESSION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0052"> TO G. B. SHELEDY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0053"> TO GEORGE E. PICKETT—ADVICE TO YOUTH + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0054"> ADDRESS BEFORE THE SPRINGFIELD WASHINGTONIAN + TEMPERANCE SOCIETY, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0055"> TO JOSHUA F. SPEED. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0056"> TO JOSHUA F. SPEED—ON MARRIAGE CONCERNS + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0057"> TO JOSHUA F. SPEED. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0058"> TO JOSHUA F. SPEED. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0059"> A LETTER FROM THE LOST TOWNSHIPS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0060"> LOST TOWNSHIPS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0061"> INVITATION TO HENRY CLAY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0062"> CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT THE LINCOLN-SHIELDS DUEL. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0063"> TO J. SHIELDS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0064"> TO A. LINCOLN FROM JAS. SHIELDS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0065"> MEMORANDUM OF INSTRUCTIONS TO E. H. MERRYMAN, + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0066"> TO JOSHUA F. SPEED. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0067"> TO JAMES S. IRWIN. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0068"> <b>1843</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0069"> RESOLUTIONS AT A WHIG MEETING AT SPRINGFIELD, + ILLINOIS, MARCH 1, 1843. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0070"> CIRCULAR FROM WHIG COMMITTEE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0071"> TO JOHN BENNETT. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0072"> JOSHUA F. SPEED. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0073"> TO MARTIN M. MORRIS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0074"> TO MARTIN M. MORRIS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0075"> TO GEN. J. J. HARDIN. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + VOLUME 1. + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTORY + </h2> + <p> + Immediately after Lincoln's re-election to the Presidency, in an off-hand + speech, delivered in response to a serenade by some of his admirers on the + evening of November 10, 1864, he spoke as follows: + </p> + <p> + "It has long been a grave question whether any government not too strong + for the liberties of its people can be strong enough to maintain its + existence in great emergencies. On this point, the present rebellion + brought our republic to a severe test, and the Presidential election, + occurring in regular course during the rebellion, added not a little to + the strain.... The strife of the election is but human nature practically + applied to the facts in the case. What has occurred in this case must ever + occur in similar cases. Human nature will not change. In any future great + national trial, compared with the men of this, we shall have as weak and + as strong, as silly and as wise, as bad and as good. Let us therefore + study the incidents in this as philosophy to learn wisdom from and none of + them as wrongs to be avenged.... Now that the election is over, may not + all having a common interest reunite in a common fort to save our common + country? For my own part, I have striven and shall strive to avoid placing + any obstacle in the way. So long as I have been here, I have not willingly + planted a thorn in any man's bosom. While I am deeply sensible to the high + compliment of a re-election and duly grateful, as I trust, to Almighty God + for having directed my countrymen to a right conclusion, as I think for + their own good, it adds nothing to my satisfaction that any other man may + be disappointed or pained by the result." + </p> + <p> + This speech has not attracted much general attention, yet it is in a + peculiar degree both illustrative and typical of the great statesman who + made it, alike in its strong common-sense and in its lofty standard of + morality. Lincoln's life, Lincoln's deeds and words, are not only of + consuming interest to the historian, but should be intimately known to + every man engaged in the hard practical work of American political life. + It is difficult to overstate how much it means to a nation to have as the + two foremost figures in its history men like Washington and Lincoln. It is + good for every man in any way concerned in public life to feel that the + highest ambition any American can possibly have will be gratified just in + proportion as he raises himself toward the standards set by these two men. + </p> + <p> + It is a very poor thing, whether for nations or individuals, to advance + the history of great deeds done in the past as an excuse for doing poorly + in the present; but it is an excellent thing to study the history of the + great deeds of the past, and of the great men who did them, with an + earnest desire to profit thereby so as to render better service in the + present. In their essentials, the men of the present day are much like the + men of the past, and the live issues of the present can be faced to better + advantage by men who have in good faith studied how the leaders of the + nation faced the dead issues of the past. Such a study of Lincoln's life + will enable us to avoid the twin gulfs of immorality and inefficiency—the + gulfs which always lie one on each side of the careers alike of man and of + nation. It helps nothing to have avoided one if shipwreck is encountered + in the other. The fanatic, the well-meaning moralist of unbalanced mind, + the parlor critic who condemns others but has no power himself to do good + and but little power to do ill—all these were as alien to Lincoln as + the vicious and unpatriotic themselves. His life teaches our people that + they must act with wisdom, because otherwise adherence to right will be + mere sound and fury without substance; and that they must also act + high-mindedly, or else what seems to be wisdom will in the end turn out to + be the most destructive kind of folly. + </p> + <p> + Throughout his entire life, and especially after he rose to leadership in + his party, Lincoln was stirred to his depths by the sense of fealty to a + lofty ideal; but throughout his entire life, he also accepted human nature + as it is, and worked with keen, practical good sense to achieve results + with the instruments at hand. It is impossible to conceive of a man + farther removed from baseness, farther removed from corruption, from mere + self-seeking; but it is also impossible to conceive of a man of more sane + and healthy mind—a man less under the influence of that fantastic + and diseased morality (so fantastic and diseased as to be in reality + profoundly immoral) which makes a man in this work-a-day world refuse to + do what is possible because he cannot accomplish the impossible. + </p> + <p> + In the fifth volume of Lecky's History of England, the historian draws an + interesting distinction between the qualities needed for a successful + political career in modern society and those which lead to eminence in the + spheres of pure intellect or pure moral effort. He says: + </p> + <p> + "....the moral qualities that are required in the higher spheres of + statesmanship [are not] those of a hero or a saint. Passionate earnestness + and self-devotion, complete concentration of every faculty on an unselfish + aim, uncalculating daring, a delicacy of conscience and a loftiness of aim + far exceeding those of the average of men, are here likely to prove rather + a hindrance than an assistance. The politician deals very largely with the + superficial and the commonplace; his art is in a great measure that of + skilful compromise, and in the conditions of modern life, the statesman is + likely to succeed best who possesses secondary qualities to an unusual + degree, who is in the closest intellectual and moral sympathy with the + average of the intelligent men of his time, and who pursues common ideals + with more than common ability.... Tact, business talent, knowledge of men, + resolution, promptitude and sagacity in dealing with immediate + emergencies, a character which lends itself easily to conciliation, + diminishes friction and inspires confidence, are especially needed, and + they are more likely to be found among shrewd and enlightened men of the + world than among men of great original genius or of an heroic type of + character." + </p> + <p> + The American people should feel profoundly grateful that the greatest + American statesman since Washington, the statesman who in this absolutely + democratic republic succeeded best, was the very man who actually combined + the two sets of qualities which the historian thus puts in antithesis. + Abraham Lincoln, the rail-splitter, the Western country lawyer, was one of + the shrewdest and most enlightened men of the world, and he had all the + practical qualities which enable such a man to guide his countrymen; and + yet he was also a genius of the heroic type, a leader who rose level to + the greatest crisis through which this nation or any other nation had to + pass in the nineteenth century. + </p> + <p> + THEODORE ROOSEVELT + </p> + <p> + SAGAMORE HILL, OYSTER BAY, N. Y., September 22, 1905. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTORY NOTE + </h2> + <p> + "I have endured," wrote Lincoln not long before his death, "a great deal + of ridicule without much malice, and have received a great deal of + kindness not quite free from ridicule." On Easter Day, 1865, the world + knew how little this ridicule, how much this kindness, had really + signified. Thereafter, Lincoln the man became Lincoln the hero, year by + year more heroic, until to-day, with the swift passing of those who knew + him, his figure grows ever dimmer, less real. This should not be. For + Lincoln the man, patient, wise, set in a high resolve, is worth far more + than Lincoln the hero, vaguely glorious. Invaluable is the example of the + man, intangible that of the hero. + </p> + <p> + And, though it is not for us, as for those who in awed stillness listened + at Gettysburg with inspired perception, to know Abraham Lincoln, yet there + is for us another way whereby we may attain such knowledge—through + his words—uttered in all sincerity to those who loved or hated him. + Cold, unsatisfying they may seem, these printed words, while we can yet + speak with those who knew him, and look into eyes that once looked into + his. But in truth it is here that we find his simple greatness, his great + simplicity, and though no man tried less so to show his power, no man has + so shown it more clearly. + </p> + <p> + Thus these writings of Abraham Lincoln are associated with those of + Washington, Hamilton, Franklin, and of the other "Founders of the + Republic," not that Lincoln should become still more of the past, but, + rather, that he with them should become still more of the present. However + faint and mythical may grow the story of that Great Struggle, the leader, + Lincoln, at least should remain a real, living American. No matter how + clearly, how directly, Lincoln has shown himself in his writings, we yet + should not forget those men whose minds, from their various view-points, + have illumined for us his character. As this nation owes a great debt to + Lincoln, so, also, Lincoln's memory owes a great debt to a nation which, + as no other nation could have done, has been able to appreciate his full + worth. Among the many who have brought about this appreciation, those only + whose estimates have been placed in these volumes may be mentioned here. + To President Roosevelt, to Mr. Schurz and to Mr. Choate, the editor, for + himself, for the publishers, and on behalf of the readers, wishes to offer + his sincere acknowledgments. + </p> + <p> + Thanks are also due, for valuable and sympathetic assistance rendered in + the preparation of this work, to Mr. Gilbert A. Tracy, of Putnam, Conn., + Major William H. Lambert, of Philadelphia, and Mr. C. F. Gunther, of + Chicago, to the Chicago Historical Association and personally to its + capable Secretary, Miss McIlvaine, to Major Henry S. Burrage, of Portland, + Me., and to General Thomas J. Henderson, of Illinois. + </p> + <p> + For various courtesies received, the editor is furthermore indebted to the + Librarian of the Library of Congress; to Messrs. McClure, Phillips & + Co., D. Appleton & Co., Macmillan & Co., Dodd, Mead & Co., and + Harper Brothers, of New York; to Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Dana, Estes + & Co., and L. C. Page & Co., of Boston; to A. C. McClure & + Co., of Chicago; to The Robert Clarke Co., of Cincinnati, and to the J. B. + Lippincott Co., of Philadelphia. + </p> + <p> + It is hardly necessary to add that every effort has been made by the + editor to bring into these volumes whatever material may there properly + belong, material much of which is widely scattered in public libraries and + in private collections. He has been fortunate in securing certain + interesting correspondence and papers which had not before come into print + in book form. Information concerning some of these papers had reached him + too late to enable the papers to find place in their proper chronological + order in the set. Rather, however, than not to present these papers to the + readers they have been included in the seventh volume of the set, which + concludes the "Writings." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [These later papers are, in this etext, re-arranged into chronologic + order. D.W.] +</pre> + <p> + October, 1905, A. B. L. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ABRAHAM LINCOLN: AN ESSAY BY CARL SHURZ + </h2> + <p> + No American can study the character and career of Abraham Lincoln without + being carried away by sentimental emotions. We are always inclined to + idealize that which we love,—a state of mind very unfavorable to the + exercise of sober critical judgment. It is therefore not surprising that + most of those who have written or spoken on that extraordinary man, even + while conscientiously endeavoring to draw a lifelike portraiture of his + being, and to form a just estimate of his public conduct, should have + drifted into more or less indiscriminating eulogy, painting his great + features in the most glowing colors, and covering with tender shadings + whatever might look like a blemish. + </p> + <p> + But his standing before posterity will not be exalted by mere praise of + his virtues and abilities, nor by any concealment of his limitations and + faults. The stature of the great man, one of whose peculiar charms + consisted in his being so unlike all other great men, will rather lose + than gain by the idealization which so easily runs into the commonplace. + For it was distinctly the weird mixture of qualities and forces in him, of + the lofty with the common, the ideal with the uncouth, of that which he + had become with that which he had not ceased to be, that made him so + fascinating a character among his fellow-men, gave him his singular power + over their minds and hearts, and fitted him to be the greatest leader in + the greatest crisis of our national life. + </p> + <p> + His was indeed a marvellous growth. The statesman or the military hero + born and reared in a log cabin is a familiar figure in American history; + but we may search in vain among our celebrities for one whose origin and + early life equalled Abraham Lincoln's in wretchedness. He first saw the + light in a miserable hovel in Kentucky, on a farm consisting of a few + barren acres in a dreary neighborhood; his father a typical "poor Southern + white," shiftless and without ambition for himself or his children, + constantly looking for a new piece of land on which he might make a living + without much work; his mother, in her youth handsome and bright, grown + prematurely coarse in feature and soured in mind by daily toil and care; + the whole household squalid, cheerless, and utterly void of elevating + inspirations... Only when the family had "moved" into the malarious + backwoods of Indiana, the mother had died, and a stepmother, a woman of + thrift and energy, had taken charge of the children, the shaggy-headed, + ragged, barefooted, forlorn boy, then seven years old, "began to feel like + a human being." Hard work was his early lot. When a mere boy he had to + help in supporting the family, either on his father's clearing, or hired + out to other farmers to plough, or dig ditches, or chop wood, or drive ox + teams; occasionally also to "tend the baby," when the farmer's wife was + otherwise engaged. He could regard it as an advancement to a higher sphere + of activity when he obtained work in a "crossroads store," where he amused + the customers by his talk over the counter; for he soon distinguished + himself among the backwoods folk as one who had something to say worth + listening to. To win that distinction, he had to draw mainly upon his + wits; for, while his thirst for knowledge was great, his opportunities for + satisfying that thirst were wofully slender. + </p> + <p> + In the log schoolhouse, which he could visit but little, he was taught + only reading, writing, and elementary arithmetic. Among the people of the + settlement, bush farmers and small tradesmen, he found none of uncommon + intelligence or education; but some of them had a few books, which he + borrowed eagerly. Thus he read and reread, AEsop's Fables, learning to + tell stories with a point and to argue by parables; he read Robinson + Crusoe, The Pilgrim's Progress, a short history of the United States, and + Weems's Life of Washington. To the town constable's he went to read the + Revised Statutes of Indiana. Every printed page that fell into his hands + he would greedily devour, and his family and friends watched him with + wonder, as the uncouth boy, after his daily work, crouched in a corner of + the log cabin or outside under a tree, absorbed in a book while munching + his supper of corn bread. In this manner he began to gather some + knowledge, and sometimes he would astonish the girls with such startling + remarks as that the earth was moving around the sun, and not the sun + around the earth, and they marvelled where "Abe" could have got such queer + notions. Soon he also felt the impulse to write; not only making extracts + from books he wished to remember, but also composing little essays of his + own. First he sketched these with charcoal on a wooden shovel scraped + white with a drawing-knife, or on basswood shingles. Then he transferred + them to paper, which was a scarce commodity in the Lincoln household; + taking care to cut his expressions close, so that they might not cover too + much space,—a style-forming method greatly to be commended. Seeing + boys put a burning coal on the back of a wood turtle, he was moved to + write on cruelty to animals. Seeing men intoxicated with whiskey, he wrote + on temperance. In verse-making, too, he tried himself, and in satire on + persons offensive to him or others,—satire the rustic wit of which + was not always fit for ears polite. Also political thoughts he put upon + paper, and some of his pieces were even deemed good enough for publication + in the county weekly. + </p> + <p> + Thus he won a neighborhood reputation as a clever young man, which he + increased by his performances as a speaker, not seldom drawing upon + himself the dissatisfaction of his employers by mounting a stump in the + field, and keeping the farm hands from their work by little speeches in a + jocose and sometimes also a serious vein. At the rude social frolics of + the settlement he became an important person, telling funny, stories, + mimicking the itinerant preachers who had happened to pass by, and making + his mark at wrestling matches, too; for at the age of seventeen he had + attained his full height, six feet four inches in his stockings, if he had + any, and a terribly muscular clodhopper he was. But he was known never to + use his extraordinary strength to the injury or humiliation of others; + rather to do them a kindly turn, or to enforce justice and fair dealing + between them. All this made him a favorite in backwoods society, although + in some things he appeared a little odd, to his friends. Far more than any + of them, he was given not only to reading, but to fits of abstraction, to + quiet musing with himself, and also to strange spells of melancholy, from + which he often would pass in a moment to rollicking outbursts of droll + humor. But on the whole he was one of the people among whom he lived; in + appearance perhaps even a little more uncouth than most of them,—a + very tall, rawboned youth, with large features, dark, shrivelled skin, and + rebellious hair; his arms and legs long, out of proportion; clad in + deerskin trousers, which from frequent exposure to the rain had shrunk so + as to sit tightly on his limbs, leaving several inches of bluish shin + exposed between their lower end and the heavy tan-colored shoes; the + nether garment held usually by only one suspender, that was strung over a + coarse homemade shirt; the head covered in winter with a coonskin cap, in + summer with a rough straw hat of uncertain shape, without a band. + </p> + <p> + It is doubtful whether he felt himself much superior to his surroundings, + although he confessed to a yearning for some knowledge of the world + outside of the circle in which he lived. This wish was gratified; but how? + At the age of nineteen he went down the Mississippi to New Orleans as a + flatboat hand, temporarily joining a trade many members of which at that + time still took pride in being called "half horse and half alligator." + After his return he worked and lived in the old way until the spring of + 1830, when his father "moved again," this time to Illinois; and on the + journey of fifteen days "Abe" had to drive the ox wagon which carried the + household goods. Another log cabin was built, and then, fencing a field, + Abraham Lincoln split those historic rails which were destined to play so + picturesque a part in the Presidential campaign twenty-eight years later. + </p> + <p> + Having come of age, Lincoln left the family, and "struck out for himself." + He had to "take jobs whenever he could get them." The first of these + carried him again as a flatboat hand to New Orleans. There something + happened that made a lasting impression upon his soul: he witnessed a + slave auction. "His heart bled," wrote one of his companions; "said + nothing much; was silent; looked bad. I can say, knowing it, that it was + on this trip that he formed his opinion on slavery. It run its iron in him + then and there, May, 1831. I have heard him say so often." Then he lived + several years at New Salem, in Illinois, a small mushroom village, with a + mill, some "stores" and whiskey shops, that rose quickly, and soon + disappeared again. It was a desolate, disjointed, half-working and + half-loitering life, without any other aim than to gain food and shelter + from day to day. He served as pilot on a steamboat trip, then as clerk in + a store and a mill; business failing, he was adrift for some time. Being + compelled to measure his strength with the chief bully of the + neighborhood, and overcoming him, he became a noted person in that + muscular community, and won the esteem and friendship of the ruling gang + of ruffians to such a degree that, when the Black Hawk war broke out, they + elected him, a young man of twenty-three, captain of a volunteer company, + composed mainly of roughs of their kind. He took the field, and his most + noteworthy deed of valor consisted, not in killing an Indian, but in + protecting against his own men, at the peril of his own life, the life of + an old savage who had strayed into his camp. + </p> + <p> + The Black Hawk war over, he turned to politics. The step from the + captaincy of a volunteer company to a candidacy for a seat in the + Legislature seemed a natural one. But his popularity, although great in + New Salem, had not spread far enough over the district, and he was + defeated. Then the wretched hand-to-mouth struggle began again. He "set up + in store-business" with a dissolute partner, who drank whiskey while + Lincoln was reading books. The result was a disastrous failure and a load + of debt. Thereupon he became a deputy surveyor, and was appointed + postmaster of New Salem, the business of the post-office being so small + that he could carry the incoming and outgoing mail in his hat. All this + could not lift him from poverty, and his surveying instruments and horse + and saddle were sold by the sheriff for debt. + </p> + <p> + But while all this misery was upon him his ambition rose to higher aims. + He walked many miles to borrow from a schoolmaster a grammar with which to + improve his language. A lawyer lent him a copy of Blackstone, and he began + to study law. + </p> + <p> + People would look wonderingly at the grotesque figure lying in the grass, + "with his feet up a tree," or sitting on a fence, as, absorbed in a book, + he learned to construct correct sentences and made himself a jurist. At + once he gained a little practice, pettifogging before a justice of the + peace for friends, without expecting a fee. Judicial functions, too, were + thrust upon him, but only at horse-races or wrestling matches, where his + acknowledged honesty and fairness gave his verdicts undisputed authority. + His popularity grew apace, and soon he could be a candidate for the + Legislature again. Although he called himself a Whig, an ardent admirer of + Henry Clay, his clever stump speeches won him the election in the strongly + Democratic district. Then for the first time, perhaps, he thought + seriously of his outward appearance. So far he had been content with a + garb of "Kentucky jeans," not seldom ragged, usually patched, and always + shabby. Now, he borrowed some money from a friend to buy a new suit of + clothes—"store clothes" fit for a Sangamon County statesman; and + thus adorned he set out for the state capital, Vandalia, to take his seat + among the lawmakers. + </p> + <p> + His legislative career, which stretched over several sessions—for he + was thrice re-elected, in 1836, 1838, and 1840—was not remarkably + brilliant. He did, indeed, not lack ambition. He dreamed even of making + himself "the De Witt Clinton of Illinois," and he actually distinguished + himself by zealous and effective work in those "log-rolling" operations by + which the young State received "a general system of internal improvements" + in the shape of railroads, canals, and banks,—a reckless policy, + burdening the State with debt, and producing the usual crop of political + demoralization, but a policy characteristic of the time and the + impatiently enterprising spirit of the Western people. Lincoln, no doubt + with the best intentions, but with little knowledge of the subject, simply + followed the popular current. The achievement in which, perhaps, he + gloried most was the removal of the State government from Vandalia to + Springfield; one of those triumphs of political management which are apt + to be the pride of the small politician's statesmanship. One thing, + however, he did in which his true nature asserted itself, and which gave + distinct promise of the future pursuit of high aims. Against an + overwhelming preponderance of sentiment in the Legislature, followed by + only one other member, he recorded his protest against a proslavery + resolution,—that protest declaring "the institution of slavery to be + founded on both injustice and bad policy." This was not only the + irrepressible voice of his conscience; it was true moral valor, too; for + at that time, in many parts of the West, an abolitionist was regarded as + little better than a horse-thief, and even "Abe Lincoln" would hardly have + been forgiven his antislavery principles, had he not been known as such an + "uncommon good fellow." But here, in obedience to the great conviction of + his life, he manifested his courage to stand alone, that courage which is + the first requisite of leadership in a great cause. + </p> + <p> + Together with his reputation and influence as a politician grew his law + practice, especially after he had removed from New Salem to Springfield, + and associated himself with a practitioner of good standing. He had now at + last won a fixed position in society. He became a successful lawyer, less, + indeed, by his learning as a jurist than by his effectiveness as an + advocate and by the striking uprightness of his character; and it may + truly be said that his vivid sense of truth and justice had much to do + with his effectiveness as an advocate. He would refuse to act as the + attorney even of personal friends when he saw the right on the other side. + He would abandon cases, even during trial, when the testimony convinced + him that his client was in the wrong. He would dissuade those who sought + his service from pursuing an obtainable advantage when their claims seemed + to him unfair. Presenting his very first case in the United States Circuit + Court, the only question being one of authority, he declared that, upon + careful examination, he found all the authorities on the other side, and + none on his. Persons accused of crime, when he thought them guilty, he + would not defend at all, or, attempting their defence, he was unable to + put forth his powers. One notable exception is on record, when his + personal sympathies had been strongly aroused. But when he felt himself to + be the protector of innocence, the defender of justice, or the prosecutor + of wrong, he frequently disclosed such unexpected resources of reasoning, + such depth of feeling, and rose to such fervor of appeal as to astonish + and overwhelm his hearers, and make him fairly irresistible. Even an + ordinary law argument, coming from him, seldom failed to produce the + impression that he was profoundly convinced of the soundness of his + position. It is not surprising that the mere appearance of so + conscientious an attorney in any case should have carried, not only to + juries, but even to judges, almost a presumption of right on his side, and + that the people began to call him, sincerely meaning it, "honest Abe + Lincoln." + </p> + <p> + In the meantime he had private sorrows and trials of a painfully + afflicting nature. He had loved and been loved by a fair and estimable + girl, Ann Rutledge, who died in the flower of her youth and beauty, and he + mourned her loss with such intensity of grief that his friends feared for + his reason. Recovering from his morbid depression, he bestowed what he + thought a new affection upon another lady, who refused him. And finally, + moderately prosperous in his worldly affairs, and having prospects of + political distinction before him, he paid his addresses to Mary Todd, of + Kentucky, and was accepted. But then tormenting doubts of the genuineness + of his own affection for her, of the compatibility of their characters, + and of their future happiness came upon him. His distress was so great + that he felt himself in danger of suicide, and feared to carry a + pocket-knife with him; and he gave mortal offence to his bride by not + appearing on the appointed wedding day. Now the torturing consciousness of + the wrong he had done her grew unendurable. He won back her affection, + ended the agony by marrying her, and became a faithful and patient husband + and a good father. But it was no secret to those who knew the family well + that his domestic life was full of trials. The erratic temper of his wife + not seldom put the gentleness of his nature to the severest tests; and + these troubles and struggles, which accompanied him through all the + vicissitudes of his life from the modest home in Springfield to the White + House at Washington, adding untold private heart-burnings to his public + cares, and sometimes precipitating upon him incredible embarrassments in + the discharge of his public duties, form one of the most pathetic features + of his career. + </p> + <p> + He continued to "ride the circuit," read books while travelling in his + buggy, told funny stories to his fellow-lawyers in the tavern, chatted + familiarly with his neighbors around the stove in the store and at the + post-office, had his hours of melancholy brooding as of old, and became + more and more widely known and trusted and beloved among the people of his + State for his ability as a lawyer and politician, for the uprightness of + his character and the overflowing spring of sympathetic kindness in his + heart. His main ambition was confessedly that of political distinction; + but hardly any one would at that time have seen in him the man destined to + lead the nation through the greatest crisis of the century. + </p> + <p> + His time had not yet come when, in 1846, he was elected to Congress. In a + clever speech in the House of Representatives he denounced President Polk + for having unjustly forced war upon Mexico, and he amused the Committee of + the Whole by a witty attack upon General Cass. More important was the + expression he gave to his antislavery impulses by offering a bill looking + to the emancipation of the slaves in the District of Columbia, and by his + repeated votes for the famous Wilmot Proviso, intended to exclude slavery + from the Territories acquired from Mexico. But when, at the expiration of + his term, in March, 1849, he left his seat, he gloomily despaired of ever + seeing the day when the cause nearest to his heart would be rightly + grasped by the people, and when he would be able to render any service to + his country in solving the great problem. Nor had his career as a member + of Congress in any sense been such as to gratify his ambition. Indeed, if + he ever had any belief in a great destiny for himself, it must have been + weak at that period; for he actually sought to obtain from the new Whig + President, General Taylor, the place of Commissioner of the General Land + Office; willing to bury himself in one of the administrative bureaus of + the government. Fortunately for the country, he failed; and no less + fortunately, when, later, the territorial governorship of Oregon was + offered to him, Mrs. Lincoln's protest induced him to decline it. + Returning to Springfield, he gave himself with renewed zest to his law + practice, acquiesced in the Compromise of 1850 with reluctance and a + mental reservation, supported in the Presidential campaign of 1852 the + Whig candidate in some spiritless speeches, and took but a languid + interest in the politics of the day. But just then his time was drawing + near. + </p> + <p> + The peace promised, and apparently inaugurated, by the Compromise of 1850 + was rudely broken by the introduction of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill in 1854. + The repeal of the Missouri Compromise, opening the Territories of the + United States, the heritage of coming generations, to the invasion of + slavery, suddenly revealed the whole significance of the slavery question + to the people of the free States, and thrust itself into the politics of + the country as the paramount issue. Something like an electric shock + flashed through the North. Men who but a short time before had been + absorbed by their business pursuits, and deprecated all political + agitation, were startled out of their security by a sudden alarm, and + excitedly took sides. That restless trouble of conscience about slavery, + which even in times of apparent repose had secretly disturbed the souls of + Northern people, broke forth in an utterance louder than ever. The bonds + of accustomed party allegiance gave way. Antislavery Democrats and + antislavery Whigs felt themselves drawn together by a common overpowering + sentiment, and soon they began to rally in a new organization. The + Republican party sprang into being to meet the overruling call of the + hour. Then Abraham Lincoln's time was come. He rapidly advanced to a + position of conspicuous championship in the struggle. This, however, was + not owing to his virtues and abilities alone. Indeed, the slavery question + stirred his soul in its profoundest depths; it was, as one of his intimate + friends said, "the only one on which he would become excited"; it called + forth all his faculties and energies. Yet there were many others who, + having long and arduously fought the antislavery battle in the popular + assembly, or in the press, or in the halls of Congress, far surpassed him + in prestige, and compared with whom he was still an obscure and untried + man. His reputation, although highly honorable and well earned, had so far + been essentially local. As a stump-speaker in Whig canvasses outside of + his State he had attracted comparatively little attention; but in Illinois + he had been recognized as one of the foremost men of the Whig party. Among + the opponents of the Nebraska Bill he occupied in his State so important a + position, that in 1856 he was the choice of a large majority of the + "Anti-Nebraska men" in the Legislature for a seat in the Senate of the + United States which then became vacant; and when he, an old Whig, could + not obtain the votes of the Anti-Nebraska Democrats necessary to make a + majority, he generously urged his friends to transfer their votes to Lyman + Trumbull, who was then elected. Two years later, in the first national + convention of the Republican party, the delegation from Illinois brought + him forward as a candidate for the vice-presidency, and he received + respectable support. Still, the name of Abraham Lincoln was not widely + known beyond the boundaries of his own State. But now it was this local + prominence in Illinois that put him in a position of peculiar advantage on + the battlefield of national politics. In the assault on the Missouri + Compromise which broke down all legal barriers to the spread of slavery + Stephen Arnold Douglas was the ostensible leader and central figure; and + Douglas was a Senator from Illinois, Lincoln's State. Douglas's national + theatre of action was the Senate, but in his constituency in Illinois were + the roots of his official position and power. What he did in the Senate he + had to justify before the people of Illinois, in order to maintain himself + in place; and in Illinois all eyes turned to Lincoln as Douglas's natural + antagonist. + </p> + <p> + As very young men they had come to Illinois, Lincoln from Indiana, Douglas + from Vermont, and had grown up together in public life, Douglas as a + Democrat, Lincoln as a Whig. They had met first in Vandalia, in 1834, when + Lincoln was in the Legislature and Douglas in the lobby; and again in + 1836, both as members of the Legislature. Douglas, a very able politician, + of the agile, combative, audacious, "pushing" sort, rose in political + distinction with remarkable rapidity. In quick succession he became a + member of the Legislature, a State's attorney, secretary of state, a judge + on the supreme bench of Illinois, three times a Representative in + Congress, and a Senator of the United States when only thirty-nine years + old. In the National Democratic convention of 1852 he appeared even as an + aspirant to the nomination for the Presidency, as the favorite of "young + America," and received a respectable vote. He had far outstripped Lincoln + in what is commonly called political success and in reputation. But it had + frequently happened that in political campaigns Lincoln felt himself + impelled, or was selected by his Whig friends, to answer Douglas's + speeches; and thus the two were looked upon, in a large part of the State + at least, as the representative combatants of their respective parties in + the debates before popular meetings. As soon, therefore, as, after the + passage of his Kansas-Nebraska Bill, Douglas returned to Illinois to + defend his cause before his constituents, Lincoln, obeying not only his + own impulse, but also general expectation, stepped forward as his + principal opponent. Thus the struggle about the principles involved in the + Kansas-Nebraska Bill, or, in a broader sense, the struggle between freedom + and slavery, assumed in Illinois the outward form of a personal contest + between Lincoln and Douglas; and, as it continued and became more + animated, that personal contest in Illinois was watched with constantly + increasing interest by the whole country. When, in 1858, Douglas's + senatorial term being about to expire, Lincoln was formally designated by + the Republican convention of Illinois as their candidate for the Senate, + to take Douglas's place, and the two contestants agreed to debate the + questions at issue face to face in a series of public meetings, the eyes + of the whole American people were turned eagerly to that one point: and + the spectacle reminded one of those lays of ancient times telling of two + armies, in battle array, standing still to see their two principal + champions fight out the contested cause between the lines in single + combat. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln had then reached the full maturity of his powers. His equipment as + a statesman did not embrace a comprehensive knowledge of public affairs. + What he had studied he had indeed made his own, with the eager craving and + that zealous tenacity characteristic of superior minds learning under + difficulties. But his narrow opportunities and the unsteady life he had + led during his younger years had not permitted the accumulation of large + stores in his mind. It is true, in political campaigns he had occasionally + spoken on the ostensible issues between the Whigs and the Democrats, the + tariff, internal improvements, banks, and so on, but only in a perfunctory + manner. Had he ever given much serious thought and study to these + subjects, it is safe to assume that a mind so prolific of original + conceits as his would certainly have produced some utterance upon them + worth remembering. His soul had evidently never been deeply stirred by + such topics. But when his moral nature was aroused, his brain developed an + untiring activity until it had mastered all the knowledge within reach. As + soon as the repeal of the Missouri Compromise had thrust the slavery + question into politics as the paramount issue, Lincoln plunged into an + arduous study of all its legal, historical, and moral aspects, and then + his mind became a complete arsenal of argument. His rich natural gifts, + trained by long and varied practice, had made him an orator of rare + persuasiveness. In his immature days, he had pleased himself for a short + period with that inflated, high-flown style which, among the uncultivated, + passes for "beautiful speaking." His inborn truthfulness and his artistic + instinct soon overcame that aberration and revealed to him the noble + beauty and strength of simplicity. He possessed an uncommon power of clear + and compact statement, which might have reminded those who knew the story + of his early youth of the efforts of the poor boy, when he copied his + compositions from the scraped wooden shovel, carefully to trim his + expressions in order to save paper. His language had the energy of honest + directness and he was a master of logical lucidity. He loved to point and + enliven his reasoning by humorous illustrations, usually anecdotes of + Western life, of which he had an inexhaustible store at his command. These + anecdotes had not seldom a flavor of rustic robustness about them, but he + used them with great effect, while amusing the audience, to give life to + an abstraction, to explode an absurdity, to clinch an argument, to drive + home an admonition. The natural kindliness of his tone, softening + prejudice and disarming partisan rancor, would often open to his reasoning + a way into minds most unwilling to receive it. + </p> + <p> + Yet his greatest power consisted in the charm of his individuality. That + charm did not, in the ordinary way, appeal to the ear or to the eye. His + voice was not melodious; rather shrill and piercing, especially when it + rose to its high treble in moments of great animation. His figure was + unhandsome, and the action of his unwieldy limbs awkward. He commanded + none of the outward graces of oratory as they are commonly understood. His + charm was of a different kind. It flowed from the rare depth and + genuineness of his convictions and his sympathetic feelings. Sympathy was + the strongest element in his nature. One of his biographers, who knew him + before he became President, says: "Lincoln's compassion might be stirred + deeply by an object present, but never by an object absent and unseen. In + the former case he would most likely extend relief, with little inquiry + into the merits of the case, because, as he expressed it himself, it `took + a pain out of his own heart.'" Only half of this is correct. It is + certainly true that he could not witness any individual distress or + oppression, or any kind of suffering, without feeling a pang of pain + himself, and that by relieving as much as he could the suffering of others + he put an end to his own. This compassionate impulse to help he felt not + only for human beings, but for every living creature. As in his boyhood he + angrily reproved the boys who tormented a wood turtle by putting a burning + coal on its back, so, we are told, he would, when a mature man, on a + journey, dismount from his buggy and wade waist-deep in mire to rescue a + pig struggling in a swamp. Indeed, appeals to his compassion were so + irresistible to him, and he felt it so difficult to refuse anything when + his refusal could give pain, that he himself sometimes spoke of his + inability to say "no" as a positive weakness. But that certainly does not + prove that his compassionate feeling was confined to individual cases of + suffering witnessed with his own eyes. As the boy was moved by the aspect + of the tortured wood turtle to compose an essay against cruelty to animals + in general, so the aspect of other cases of suffering and wrong wrought up + his moral nature, and set his mind to work against cruelty, injustice, and + oppression in general. + </p> + <p> + As his sympathy went forth to others, it attracted others to him. + Especially those whom he called the "plain people" felt themselves drawn + to him by the instinctive feeling that he understood, esteemed, and + appreciated them. He had grown up among the poor, the lowly, the ignorant. + He never ceased to remember the good souls he had met among them, and the + many kindnesses they had done him. Although in his mental development he + had risen far above them, he never looked down upon them. How they felt + and how they reasoned he knew, for so he had once felt and reasoned + himself. How they could be moved he knew, for so he had once been moved + himself and practised moving others. His mind was much larger than theirs, + but it thoroughly comprehended theirs; and while he thought much farther + than they, their thoughts were ever present to him. Nor had the visible + distance between them grown as wide as his rise in the world would seem to + have warranted. Much of his backwoods speech and manners still clung to + him. Although he had become "Mr. Lincoln" to his later acquaintances, he + was still "Abe" to the "Nats" and "Billys" and "Daves" of his youth; and + their familiarity neither appeared unnatural to them, nor was it in the + least awkward to him. He still told and enjoyed stories similar to those + he had told and enjoyed in the Indiana settlement and at New Salem. His + wants remained as modest as they had ever been; his domestic habits had by + no means completely accommodated themselves to those of his more highborn + wife; and though the "Kentucky jeans" apparel had long been dropped, his + clothes of better material and better make would sit ill sorted on his + gigantic limbs. His cotton umbrella, without a handle, and tied together + with a coarse string to keep it from flapping, which he carried on his + circuit rides, is said to be remembered still by some of his surviving + neighbors. This rusticity of habit was utterly free from that affected + contempt of refinement and comfort which self-made men sometimes carry + into their more affluent circumstances. To Abraham Lincoln it was entirely + natural, and all those who came into contact with him knew it to be so. In + his ways of thinking and feeling he had become a gentleman in the highest + sense, but the refining process had polished but little the outward form. + The plain people, therefore, still considered "honest Abe Lincoln" one of + themselves; and when they felt, which they no doubt frequently did, that + his thoughts and aspirations moved in a sphere above their own, they were + all the more proud of him, without any diminution of fellow-feeling. It + was this relation of mutual sympathy and understanding between Lincoln and + the plain people that gave him his peculiar power as a public man, and + singularly fitted him, as we shall see, for that leadership which was + preeminently required in the great crisis then coming on,—the + leadership which indeed thinks and moves ahead of the masses, but always + remains within sight and sympathetic touch of them. + </p> + <p> + He entered upon the campaign of 1858 better equipped than he had ever been + before. He not only instinctively felt, but he had convinced himself by + arduous study, that in this struggle against the spread of slavery he had + right, justice, philosophy, the enlightened opinion of mankind, history, + the Constitution, and good policy on his side. It was observed that after + he began to discuss the slavery question his speeches were pitched in a + much loftier key than his former oratorical efforts. While he remained + fond of telling funny stories in private conversation, they disappeared + more and more from his public discourse. He would still now and then point + his argument with expressions of inimitable quaintness, and flash out rays + of kindly humor and witty irony; but his general tone was serious, and + rose sometimes to genuine solemnity. His masterly skill in dialectical + thrust and parry, his wealth of knowledge, his power of reasoning and + elevation of sentiment, disclosed in language of rare precision, strength, + and beauty, not seldom astonished his old friends. + </p> + <p> + Neither of the two champions could have found a more formidable antagonist + than each now met in the other. Douglas was by far the most conspicuous + member of his party. His admirers had dubbed him "the Little Giant," + contrasting in that nickname the greatness of his mind with the smallness + of his body. But though of low stature, his broad-shouldered figure + appeared uncommonly sturdy, and there was something lion-like in the + squareness of his brow and jaw, and in the defiant shake of his long hair. + His loud and persistent advocacy of territorial expansion, in the name of + patriotism and "manifest destiny," had given him an enthusiastic following + among the young and ardent. Great natural parts, a highly combative + temperament, and long training had made him a debater unsurpassed in a + Senate filled with able men. He could be as forceful in his appeals to + patriotic feelings as he was fierce in denunciation and thoroughly skilled + in all the baser tricks of parliamentary pugilism. While genial and + rollicking in his social intercourse—the idol of the "boys" he felt + himself one of the most renowned statesmen of his time, and would + frequently meet his opponents with an overbearing haughtiness, as persons + more to be pitied than to be feared. In his speech opening the campaign of + 1858, he spoke of Lincoln, whom the Republicans had dared to advance as + their candidate for "his" place in the Senate, with an air of patronizing + if not contemptuous condescension, as "a kind, amiable, and intelligent + gentleman and a good citizen." The Little Giant would have been pleased to + pass off his antagonist as a tall dwarf. He knew Lincoln too well, + however, to indulge himself seriously in such a delusion. But the + political situation was at that moment in a curious tangle, and Douglas + could expect to derive from the confusion great advantage over his + opponent. + </p> + <p> + By the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, opening the Territories to the + ingress of slavery, Douglas had pleased the South, but greatly alarmed the + North. He had sought to conciliate Northern sentiment by appending to his + Kansas-Nebraska Bill the declaration that its intent was "not to legislate + slavery into any State or Territory, nor to exclude it therefrom, but to + leave the people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate their + institutions in their own way, subject only to the Constitution of the + United States." This he called "the great principle of popular + sovereignty." When asked whether, under this act, the people of a + Territory, before its admission as a State, would have the right to + exclude slavery, he answered, "That is a question for the courts to + decide." Then came the famous "Dred Scott decision," in which the Supreme + Court held substantially that the right to hold slaves as property existed + in the Territories by virtue of the Federal Constitution, and that this + right could not be denied by any act of a territorial government. This, of + course, denied the right of the people of any Territory to exclude slavery + while they were in a territorial condition, and it alarmed the Northern + people still more. Douglas recognized the binding force of the decision of + the Supreme Court, at the same time maintaining, most illogically, that + his great principle of popular sovereignty remained in force nevertheless. + Meanwhile, the proslavery people of western Missouri, the so-called + "border ruffians," had invaded Kansas, set up a constitutional convention, + made a constitution of an extreme pro-slavery type, the "Lecompton + Constitution," refused to submit it fairly to a vote of the people of + Kansas, and then referred it to Congress for acceptance,—seeking + thus to accomplish the admission of Kansas as a slave State. Had Douglas + supported such a scheme, he would have lost all foothold in the North. In + the name of popular sovereignty he loudly declared his opposition to the + acceptance of any constitution not sanctioned by a formal popular vote. He + "did not care," he said, "whether slavery be voted up or down," but there + must be a fair vote of the people. Thus he drew upon himself the hostility + of the Buchanan administration, which was controlled by the proslavery + interest, but he saved his Northern following. More than this, not only + did his Democratic admirers now call him "the true champion of freedom," + but even some Republicans of large influence, prominent among them Horace + Greeley, sympathizing with Douglas in his fight against the Lecompton + Constitution, and hoping to detach him permanently from the proslavery + interest and to force a lasting breach in the Democratic party, seriously + advised the Republicans of Illinois to give up their opposition to + Douglas, and to help re-elect him to the Senate. Lincoln was not of that + opinion. He believed that great popular movements can succeed only when + guided by their faithful friends, and that the antislavery cause could not + safely be entrusted to the keeping of one who "did not care whether + slavery be voted up or down." This opinion prevailed in Illinois; but the + influences within the Republican party over which it prevailed yielded + only a reluctant acquiescence, if they acquiesced at all, after having + materially strengthened Douglas's position. Such was the situation of + things when the campaign of 1858 between Lincoln and Douglas began. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln opened the campaign on his side at the convention which nominated + him as the Republican candidate for the senatorship, with a memorable + saying which sounded like a shout from the watchtower of history: "A house + divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot + endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to + be dissolved. I do not expect the house to fall, but I expect it will + cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either + the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place + it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course + of ultimate extinction, or its advocates will push it forward, till it + shall become alike lawful in all the States,—old as well as new, + North as well as South." Then he proceeded to point out that the Nebraska + doctrine combined with the Dred Scott decision worked in the direction of + making the nation "all slave." Here was the "irrepressible conflict" + spoken of by Seward a short time later, in a speech made famous mainly by + that phrase. If there was any new discovery in it, the right of priority + was Lincoln's. This utterance proved not only his statesmanlike conception + of the issue, but also, in his situation as a candidate, the firmness of + his moral courage. The friends to whom he had read the draught of this + speech before he delivered it warned him anxiously that its delivery might + be fatal to his success in the election. This was shrewd advice, in the + ordinary sense. While a slaveholder could threaten disunion with impunity, + the mere suggestion that the existence of slavery was incompatible with + freedom in the Union would hazard the political chances of any public man + in the North. But Lincoln was inflexible. "It is true," said he, "and I + will deliver it as written.... I would rather be defeated with these + expressions in my speech held up and discussed before the people than be + victorious without them." The statesman was right in his far-seeing + judgment and his conscientious statement of the truth, but the practical + politicians were also right in their prediction of the immediate effect. + Douglas instantly seized upon the declaration that a house divided against + itself cannot stand as the main objective point of his attack, + interpreting it as an incitement to a "relentless sectional war," and + there is no doubt that the persistent reiteration of this charge served to + frighten not a few timid souls. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln constantly endeavored to bring the moral and philosophical side of + the subject to the foreground. "Slavery is wrong" was the keynote of all + his speeches. To Douglas's glittering sophism that the right of the people + of a Territory to have slavery or not, as they might desire, was in + accordance with the principle of true popular sovereignty, he made the + pointed answer: "Then true popular sovereignty, according to Senator + Douglas, means that, when one man makes another man his slave, no third + man shall be allowed to object." To Douglas's argument that the principle + which demanded that the people of a Territory should be permitted to + choose whether they would have slavery or not "originated when God made + man, and placed good and evil before him, allowing him to choose upon his + own responsibility," Lincoln solemnly replied: "No; God—did not + place good and evil before man, telling him to make his choice. On the + contrary, God did tell him there was one tree of the fruit of which he + should not eat, upon pain of death." He did not, however, place himself on + the most advanced ground taken by the radical anti-slavery men. He + admitted that, under the Constitution, "the Southern people were entitled + to a Congressional fugitive slave law," although he did not approve the + fugitive slave law then existing. He declared also that, if slavery were + kept out of the Territories during their territorial existence, as it + should be, and if then the people of any Territory, having a fair chance + and a clear field, should do such an extraordinary thing as to adopt a + slave constitution, uninfluenced by the actual presence of the institution + among them, he saw no alternative but to admit such a Territory into the + Union. He declared further that, while he should be exceedingly glad to + see slavery abolished in the District of Columbia, he would, as a member + of Congress, with his present views, not endeavor to bring on that + abolition except on condition that emancipation be gradual, that it be + approved by the decision of a majority of voters in the District, and that + compensation be made to unwilling owners. On every available occasion, he + pronounced himself in favor of the deportation and colonization of the + blacks, of course with their consent. He repeatedly disavowed any wish on + his part to have social and political equality established between whites + and blacks. On this point he summed up his views in a reply to Douglas's + assertion that the Declaration of Independence, in speaking of all men as + being created equal, did not include the negroes, saying: "I do not + understand the Declaration of Independence to mean that all men were + created equal in all respects. They are not equal in color. But I believe + that it does mean to declare that all men are equal in some respects; they + are equal in their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." + </p> + <p> + With regard to some of these subjects Lincoln modified his position at a + later period, and it has been suggested that he would have professed more + advanced principles in his debates with Douglas, had he not feared thereby + to lose votes. This view can hardly be sustained. Lincoln had the courage + of his opinions, but he was not a radical. The man who risked his election + by delivering, against the urgent protest of his friends, the speech about + "the house divided against itself" would not have shrunk from the + expression of more extreme views, had he really entertained them. It is + only fair to assume that he said what at the time he really thought, and + that if, subsequently, his opinions changed, it was owing to new + conceptions of good policy and of duty brought forth by an entirely new + set of circumstances and exigencies. It is characteristic that he + continued to adhere to the impracticable colonization plan even after the + Emancipation Proclamation had already been issued. + </p> + <p> + But in this contest Lincoln proved himself not only a debater, but also a + political strategist of the first order. The "kind, amiable, and + intelligent gentleman," as Douglas had been pleased to call him, was by no + means as harmless as a dove. He possessed an uncommon share of that + worldly shrewdness which not seldom goes with genuine simplicity of + character; and the political experience gathered in the Legislature and in + Congress, and in many election campaigns, added to his keen intuitions, + had made him as far-sighted a judge of the probable effects of a public + man's sayings or doings upon the popular mind, and as accurate a + calculator in estimating political chances and forecasting results, as + could be found among the party managers in Illinois. And now he perceived + keenly the ugly dilemma in which Douglas found himself, between the Dred + Scott decision, which declared the right to hold slaves to exist in the + Territories by virtue of the Federal Constitution, and his "great + principle of popular sovereignty," according to which the people of a + Territory, if they saw fit, were to have the right to exclude slavery + therefrom. Douglas was twisting and squirming to the best of his ability + to avoid the admission that the two were incompatible. The question then + presented itself if it would be good policy for Lincoln to force Douglas + to a clear expression of his opinion as to whether, the Dred Scott + decision notwithstanding, "the people of a Territory could in any lawful + way exclude slavery from its limits prior to the formation of a State + constitution." Lincoln foresaw and predicted what Douglas would answer: + that slavery could not exist in a Territory unless the people desired it + and gave it protection by territorial legislation. In an improvised caucus + the policy of pressing the interrogatory on Douglas was discussed. + Lincoln's friends unanimously advised against it, because the answer + foreseen would sufficiently commend Douglas to the people of Illinois to + insure his re-election to the Senate. But Lincoln persisted. "I am after + larger game," said he. "If Douglas so answers, he can never be President, + and the battle of 1860 is worth a hundred of this." The interrogatory was + pressed upon Douglas, and Douglas did answer that, no matter what the + decision of the Supreme Court might be on the abstract question, the + people of a Territory had the lawful means to introduce or exclude slavery + by territorial legislation friendly or unfriendly to the institution. + Lincoln found it easy to show the absurdity of the proposition that, if + slavery were admitted to exist of right in the Territories by virtue of + the supreme law, the Federal Constitution, it could be kept out or + expelled by an inferior law, one made by a territorial Legislature. Again + the judgment of the politicians, having only the nearest object in view, + proved correct: Douglas was reelected to the Senate. But Lincoln's + judgment proved correct also: Douglas, by resorting to the expedient of + his "unfriendly legislation doctrine," forfeited his last chance of + becoming President of the United States. He might have hoped to win, by + sufficient atonement, his pardon from the South for his opposition to the + Lecompton Constitution; but that he taught the people of the Territories a + trick by which they could defeat what the proslavery men considered a + constitutional right, and that he called that trick lawful, this the slave + power would never forgive. The breach between the Southern and the + Northern Democracy was thenceforth irremediable and fatal. + </p> + <p> + The Presidential election of 1860 approached. The struggle in Kansas, and + the debates in Congress which accompanied it, and which not unfrequently + provoked violent outbursts, continually stirred the popular excitement. + Within the Democratic party raged the war of factions. The national + Democratic convention met at Charleston on the 23d of April, 1860. After a + struggle of ten days between the adherents and the opponents of Douglas, + during which the delegates from the cotton States had withdrawn, the + convention adjourned without having nominated any candidates, to meet + again in Baltimore on the 18th of June. There was no prospect, however, of + reconciling the hostile elements. It appeared very probable that the + Baltimore convention would nominate Douglas, while the seceding Southern + Democrats would set up a candidate of their own, representing extreme + proslavery principles. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the national Republican convention assembled at Chicago on the + 16th of May, full of enthusiasm and hope. The situation was easily + understood. The Democrats would have the South. In order to succeed in the + election, the Republicans had to win, in addition to the States carried by + Fremont in 1856, those that were classed as "doubtful,"—New Jersey, + Pennsylvania, and Indiana, or Illinois in the place of either New Jersey + or Indiana. The most eminent Republican statesmen and leaders of the time + thought of for the Presidency were Seward and Chase, both regarded as + belonging to the more advanced order of antislavery men. Of the two, + Seward had the largest following, mainly from New York, New England, and + the Northwest. Cautious politicians doubted seriously whether Seward, to + whom some phrases in his speeches had undeservedly given the reputation of + a reckless radical, would be able to command the whole Republican vote in + the doubtful States. Besides, during his long public career he had made + enemies. It was evident that those who thought Seward's nomination too + hazardous an experiment would consider Chase unavailable for the same + reason. They would then look round for an "available" man; and among the + "available" men Abraham Lincoln was easily discovered to stand foremost. + His great debate with Douglas had given him a national reputation. The + people of the East being eager to see the hero of so dramatic a contest, + he had been induced to visit several Eastern cities, and had astonished + and delighted large and distinguished audiences with speeches of singular + power and originality. An address delivered by him in the Cooper Institute + in New York, before an audience containing a large number of important + persons, was then, and has ever since been, especially praised as one of + the most logical and convincing political speeches ever made in this + country. The people of the West had grown proud of him as a distinctively + Western great man, and his popularity at home had some peculiar features + which could be expected to exercise a potent charm. Nor was Lincoln's name + as that of an available candidate left to the chance of accidental + discovery. It is indeed not probable that he thought of himself as a + Presidential possibility, during his contest with Douglas for the + senatorship. As late as April, 1859, he had written to a friend who had + approached him on the subject that he did not think himself fit for the + Presidency. The Vice-Presidency was then the limit of his ambition. But + some of his friends in Illinois took the matter seriously in hand, and + Lincoln, after some hesitation, then formally authorized "the use of his + name." The matter was managed with such energy and excellent judgment + that, in the convention, he had not only the whole vote of Illinois to + start with, but won votes on all sides without offending any rival. A + large majority of the opponents of Seward went over to Abraham Lincoln, + and gave him the nomination on the third ballot. As had been foreseen, + Douglas was nominated by one wing of the Democratic party at Baltimore, + while the extreme proslavery wing put Breckinridge into the field as its + candidate. After a campaign conducted with the energy of genuine + enthusiasm on the antislavery side the united Republicans defeated the + divided Democrats, and Lincoln was elected President by a majority of + fifty-seven votes in the electoral colleges. + </p> + <p> + The result of the election had hardly been declared when the disunion + movement in the South, long threatened and carefully planned and prepared, + broke out in the shape of open revolt, and nearly a month before Lincoln + could be inaugurated as President of the United States seven Southern + States had adopted ordinances of secession, formed an independent + confederacy, framed a constitution for it, and elected Jefferson Davis its + president, expecting the other slaveholding States soon to join them. On + the 11th of February, 1861, Lincoln left Springfield for Washington; + having, with characteristic simplicity, asked his law partner not to + change the sign of the firm "Lincoln and Herndon" during the four years + unavoidable absence of the senior partner, and having taken an + affectionate and touching leave of his neighbors. + </p> + <p> + The situation which confronted the new President was appalling: the larger + part of the South in open rebellion, the rest of the slaveholding States + wavering preparing to follow; the revolt guided by determined, daring, and + skillful leaders; the Southern people, apparently full of enthusiasm and + military spirit, rushing to arms, some of the forts and arsenals already + in their possession; the government of the Union, before the accession of + the new President, in the hands of men some of whom actively sympathized + with the revolt, while others were hampered by their traditional doctrines + in dealing with it, and really gave it aid and comfort by their irresolute + attitude; all the departments full of "Southern sympathizers" and + honeycombed with disloyalty; the treasury empty, and the public credit at + the lowest ebb; the arsenals ill supplied with arms, if not emptied by + treacherous practices; the regular army of insignificant strength, + dispersed over an immense surface, and deprived of some of its best + officers by defection; the navy small and antiquated. But that was not + all. The threat of disunion had so often been resorted to by the slave + power in years gone by that most Northern people had ceased to believe in + its seriousness. But, when disunion actually appeared as a stern reality, + something like a chill swept through the whole Northern country. A cry for + union and peace at any price rose on all sides. Democratic partisanship + reiterated this cry with vociferous vehemence, and even many Republicans + grew afraid of the victory they had just achieved at the ballot-box, and + spoke of compromise. The country fairly resounded with the noise of + "anticoercion meetings." Expressions of firm resolution from determined + antislavery men were indeed not wanting, but they were for a while almost + drowned by a bewildering confusion of discordant voices. Even this was not + all. Potent influences in Europe, with an ill-concealed desire for the + permanent disruption of the American Union, eagerly espoused the cause of + the Southern seceders, and the two principal maritime powers of the Old + World seemed only to be waiting for a favorable opportunity to lend them a + helping hand. + </p> + <p> + This was the state of things to be mastered by "honest Abe Lincoln" when + he took his seat in the Presidential chair,—"honest Abe Lincoln," + who was so good-natured that he could not say "no"; the greatest + achievement in whose life had been a debate on the slavery question; who + had never been in any position of power; who was without the slightest + experience of high executive duties, and who had only a speaking + acquaintance with the men upon whose counsel and cooperation he was to + depend. Nor was his accession to power under such circumstances greeted + with general confidence even by the members of his party. While he had + indeed won much popularity, many Republicans, especially among those who + had advocated Seward's nomination for the Presidency, saw the simple + "Illinois lawyer" take the reins of government with a feeling little short + of dismay. The orators and journals of the opposition were ridiculing and + lampooning him without measure. Many people actually wondered how such a + man could dare to undertake a task which, as he himself had said to his + neighbors in his parting speech, was "more difficult than that of + Washington himself had been." + </p> + <p> + But Lincoln brought to that task, aside from other uncommon qualities, the + first requisite,—an intuitive comprehension of its nature. While he + did not indulge in the delusion that the Union could be maintained or + restored without a conflict of arms, he could indeed not foresee all the + problems he would have to solve. He instinctively understood, however, by + what means that conflict would have to be conducted by the government of a + democracy. He knew that the impending war, whether great or small, would + not be like a foreign war, exciting a united national enthusiasm, but a + civil war, likely to fan to uncommon heat the animosities of party even in + the localities controlled by the government; that this war would have to + be carried on not by means of a ready-made machinery, ruled by an + undisputed, absolute will, but by means to be furnished by the voluntary + action of the people:—armies to be formed by voluntary enlistments; + large sums of money to be raised by the people, through representatives, + voluntarily taxing themselves; trust of extraordinary power to be + voluntarily granted; and war measures, not seldom restricting the rights + and liberties to which the citizen was accustomed, to be voluntarily + accepted and submitted to by the people, or at least a large majority of + them; and that this would have to be kept up not merely during a short + period of enthusiastic excitement; but possibly through weary years of + alternating success and disaster, hope and despondency. He knew that in + order to steer this government by public opinion successfully through all + the confusion created by the prejudices and doubts and differences of + sentiment distracting the popular mind, and so to propitiate, inspire, + mould, organize, unite, and guide the popular will that it might give + forth all the means required for the performance of his great task, he + would have to take into account all the influences strongly affecting the + current of popular thought and feeling, and to direct while appearing to + obey. + </p> + <p> + This was the kind of leadership he intuitively conceived to be needed when + a free people were to be led forward en masse to overcome a great common + danger under circumstances of appalling difficulty, the leadership which + does not dash ahead with brilliant daring, no matter who follows, but + which is intent upon rallying all the available forces, gathering in the + stragglers, closing up the column, so that the front may advance well + supported. For this leadership Abraham Lincoln was admirably fitted, + better than any other American statesman of his day; for he understood the + plain people, with all their loves and hates, their prejudices and their + noble impulses, their weaknesses and their strength, as he understood + himself, and his sympathetic nature was apt to draw their sympathy to him. + </p> + <p> + His inaugural address foreshadowed his official course in characteristic + manner. Although yielding nothing in point of principle, it was by no + means a flaming antislavery manifesto, such as would have pleased the more + ardent Republicans. It was rather the entreaty of a sorrowing father + speaking to his wayward children. In the kindliest language he pointed out + to the secessionists how ill advised their attempt at disunion was, and + why, for their own sakes, they should desist. Almost plaintively, he told + them that, while it was not their duty to destroy the Union, it was his + sworn duty to preserve it; that the least he could do, under the + obligations of his oath, was to possess and hold the property of the + United States; that he hoped to do this peaceably; that he abhorred war + for any purpose, and that they would have none unless they themselves were + the aggressors. It was a masterpiece of persuasiveness, and while Lincoln + had accepted many valuable amendments suggested by Seward, it was + essentially his own. Probably Lincoln himself did not expect his inaugural + address to have any effect upon the secessionists, for he must have known + them to be resolved upon disunion at any cost. But it was an appeal to the + wavering minds in the North, and upon them it made a profound impression. + Every candid man, however timid and halting, had to admit that the + President was bound by his oath to do his duty; that under that oath he + could do no less than he said he would do; that if the secessionists + resisted such an appeal as the President had made, they were bent upon + mischief, and that the government must be supported against them. The + partisan sympathy with the Southern insurrection which still existed in + the North did indeed not disappear, but it diminished perceptibly under + the influence of such reasoning. Those who still resisted it did so at the + risk of appearing unpatriotic. + </p> + <p> + It must not be supposed, however, that Lincoln at once succeeded in + pleasing everybody, even among his friends,—even among those nearest + to him. In selecting his cabinet, which he did substantially before he + left Springfield for Washington, he thought it wise to call to his + assistance the strong men of his party, especially those who had given + evidence of the support they commanded as his competitors in the Chicago + convention. In them he found at the same time representatives of the + different shades of opinion within the party, and of the different + elements—former Whigs and former Democrats—from which the + party had recruited itself. This was sound policy under the circumstances. + It might indeed have been foreseen that among the members of a cabinet so + composed, troublesome disagreements and rivalries would break out. But it + was better for the President to have these strong and ambitious men near + him as his co-operators than to have them as his critics in Congress, + where their differences might have been composed in a common opposition to + him. As members of his cabinet he could hope to control them, and to keep + them busily employed in the service of a common purpose, if he had the + strength to do so. Whether he did possess this strength was soon tested by + a singularly rude trial. + </p> + <p> + There can be no doubt that the foremost members of his cabinet, Seward and + Chase, the most eminent Republican statesmen, had felt themselves wronged + by their party when in its national convention it preferred to them for + the Presidency a man whom, not unnaturally, they thought greatly their + inferior in ability and experience as well as in service. The soreness of + that disappointment was intensified when they saw this Western man in the + White House, with so much of rustic manner and speech as still clung to + him, meeting his fellow-citizens, high and low, on a footing of equality, + with the simplicity of his good nature unburdened by any conventional + dignity of deportment, and dealing with the great business of state in an + easy-going, unmethodical, and apparently somewhat irreverent way. They did + not understand such a man. Especially Seward, who, as Secretary of State, + considered himself next to the Chief Executive, and who quickly accustomed + himself to giving orders and making arrangements upon his own motion, + thought it necessary that he should rescue the direction of public affairs + from hands so unskilled, and take full charge of them himself. At the end + of the first month of the administration he submitted a "memorandum" to + President Lincoln, which has been first brought to light by Nicolay and + Hay, and is one of their most valuable contributions to the history of + those days. In that paper Seward actually told the President that at the + end of a month's administration the government was still without a policy, + either domestic or foreign; that the slavery question should be eliminated + from the struggle about the Union; that the matter of the maintenance of + the forts and other possessions in the South should be decided with that + view; that explanations should be demanded categorically from the + governments of Spain and France, which were then preparing, one for the + annexation of San Domingo, and both for the invasion of Mexico; that if no + satisfactory explanations were received war should be declared against + Spain and France by the United States; that explanations should also be + sought from Russia and Great Britain, and a vigorous continental spirit of + independence against European intervention be aroused all over the + American continent; that this policy should be incessantly pursued and + directed by somebody; that either the President should devote himself + entirely to it, or devolve the direction on some member of his cabinet, + whereupon all debate on this policy must end. + </p> + <p> + This could be understood only as a formal demand that the President should + acknowledge his own incompetency to perform his duties, content himself + with the amusement of distributing post-offices, and resign his power as + to all important affairs into the hands of his Secretary of State. It + seems to-day incomprehensible how a statesman of Seward's calibre could at + that period conceive a plan of policy in which the slavery question had no + place; a policy which rested upon the utterly delusive assumption that the + secessionists, who had already formed their Southern Confederacy and were + with stern resolution preparing to fight for its independence, could be + hoodwinked back into the Union by some sentimental demonstration against + European interference; a policy which, at that critical moment, would have + involved the Union in a foreign war, thus inviting foreign intervention in + favor of the Southern Confederacy, and increasing tenfold its chances in + the struggle for independence. But it is equally incomprehensible how + Seward could fail to see that this demand of an unconditional surrender + was a mortal insult to the head of the government, and that by putting his + proposition on paper he delivered himself into the hands of the very man + he had insulted; for, had Lincoln, as most Presidents would have done, + instantly dismissed Seward, and published the true reason for that + dismissal, it would inevitably have been the end of Seward's career. But + Lincoln did what not many of the noblest and greatest men in history would + have been noble and great enough to do. He considered that Seward was + still capable of rendering great service to his country in the place in + which he was, if rightly controlled. He ignored the insult, but firmly + established his superiority. In his reply, which he forthwith despatched, + he told Seward that the administration had a domestic policy as laid down + in the inaugural address with Seward's approval; that it had a foreign + policy as traced in Seward's despatches with the President's approval; + that if any policy was to be maintained or changed, he, the President, was + to direct that on his responsibility; and that in performing that duty the + President had a right to the advice of his secretaries. Seward's fantastic + schemes of foreign war and continental policies Lincoln brushed aside by + passing them over in silence. Nothing more was said. Seward must have felt + that he was at the mercy of a superior man; that his offensive proposition + had been generously pardoned as a temporary aberration of a great mind, + and that he could atone for it only by devoted personal loyalty. This he + did. He was thoroughly subdued, and thenceforth submitted to Lincoln his + despatches for revision and amendment without a murmur. The war with + European nations was no longer thought of; the slavery question found in + due time its proper place in the struggle for the Union; and when, at a + later period, the dismissal of Seward was demanded by dissatisfied + senators, who attributed to him the shortcomings of the administration, + Lincoln stood stoutly by his faithful Secretary of State. + </p> + <p> + Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury, a man of superb presence, of eminent + ability and ardent patriotism, of great natural dignity and a certain + outward coldness of manner, which made him appear more difficult of + approach than he really was, did not permit his disappointment to burst + out in such extravagant demonstrations. But Lincoln's ways were so + essentially different from his that they never became quite intelligible, + and certainly not congenial to him. It might, perhaps, have been better + had there been, at the beginning of the administration, some decided clash + between Lincoln and Chase, as there was between Lincoln and Seward, to + bring on a full mutual explanation, and to make Chase appreciate the real + seriousness of Lincoln's nature. But, as it was, their relations always + remained somewhat formal, and Chase never felt quite at ease under a chief + whom he could not understand, and whose character and powers he never + learned to esteem at their true value. At the same time, he devoted + himself zealously to the duties of his department, and did the country + arduous service under circumstances of extreme difficulty. Nobody + recognized this more heartily than Lincoln himself, and they managed to + work together until near the end of Lincoln's first Presidential term, + when Chase, after some disagreements concerning appointments to office, + resigned from the treasury; and, after Taney's death, the President made + him Chief Justice. + </p> + <p> + The rest of the cabinet consisted of men of less eminence, who + subordinated themselves more easily. In January, 1862, Lincoln found it + necessary to bow Cameron out of the war office, and to put in his place + Edwin M. Stanton, a man of intensely practical mind, vehement impulses, + fierce positiveness, ruthless energy, immense working power, lofty + patriotism, and severest devotion to duty. He accepted the war office not + as a partisan, for he had never been a Republican, but only to do all he + could in "helping to save the country." The manner in which Lincoln + succeeded in taming this lion to his will, by frankly recognizing his + great qualities, by giving him the most generous confidence, by aiding him + in his work to the full of his power, by kindly concession or affectionate + persuasiveness in cases of differing opinions, or, when it was necessary, + by firm assertions of superior authority, bears the highest testimony to + his skill in the management of men. Stanton, who had entered the service + with rather a mean opinion of Lincoln's character and capacity, became one + of his warmest, most devoted, and most admiring friends, and with none of + his secretaries was Lincoln's intercourse more intimate. To take advice + with candid readiness, and to weigh it without any pride of his own + opinion, was one of Lincoln's preeminent virtues; but he had not long + presided over his cabinet council when his was felt by all its members to + be the ruling mind. + </p> + <p> + The cautious policy foreshadowed in his inaugural address, and pursued + during the first period of the civil war, was far from satisfying all his + party friends. The ardent spirits among the Union men thought that the + whole North should at once be called to arms, to crush the rebellion by + one powerful blow. The ardent spirits among the antislavery men insisted + that, slavery having brought forth the rebellion, this powerful blow + should at once be aimed at slavery. Both complained that the + administration was spiritless, undecided, and lamentably slow in its + proceedings. Lincoln reasoned otherwise. The ways of thinking and feeling + of the masses, of the plain people, were constantly present to his mind. + The masses, the plain people, had to furnish the men for the fighting, if + fighting was to be done. He believed that the plain people would be ready + to fight when it clearly appeared necessary, and that they would feel that + necessity when they felt themselves attacked. He therefore waited until + the enemies of the Union struck the first blow. As soon as, on the 12th of + April, 1861, the first gun was fired in Charleston harbor on the Union + flag upon Fort Sumter, the call was sounded, and the Northern people + rushed to arms. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln knew that the plain people were now indeed ready to fight in + defence of the Union, but not yet ready to fight for the destruction of + slavery. He declared openly that he had a right to summon the people to + fight for the Union, but not to summon them to fight for the abolition of + slavery as a primary object; and this declaration gave him numberless + soldiers for the Union who at that period would have hesitated to do + battle against the institution of slavery. For a time he succeeded in + rendering harmless the cry of the partisan opposition that the Republican + administration were perverting the war for the Union into an "abolition + war." But when he went so far as to countermand the acts of some generals + in the field, looking to the emancipation of the slaves in the districts + covered by their commands, loud complaints arose from earnest antislavery + men, who accused the President of turning his back upon the antislavery + cause. Many of these antislavery men will now, after a calm retrospect, be + willing to admit that it would have been a hazardous policy to endanger, + by precipitating a demonstrative fight against slavery, the success of the + struggle for the Union. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln's views and feelings concerning slavery had not changed. Those who + conversed with him intimately upon the subject at that period know that he + did not expect slavery long to survive the triumph of the Union, even if + it were not immediately destroyed by the war. In this he was right. Had + the Union armies achieved a decisive victory in an early period of the + conflict, and had the seceded States been received back with slavery, the + "slave power" would then have been a defeated power, defeated in an + attempt to carry out its most effective threat. It would have lost its + prestige. Its menaces would have been hollow sound, and ceased to make any + one afraid. It could no longer have hoped to expand, to maintain an + equilibrium in any branch of Congress, and to control the government. The + victorious free States would have largely overbalanced it. It would no + longer have been able to withstand the onset of a hostile age. It could no + longer have ruled,—and slavery had to rule in order to live. It + would have lingered for a while, but it would surely have been "in the + course of ultimate extinction." A prolonged war precipitated the + destruction of slavery; a short war might only have prolonged its death + struggle. Lincoln saw this clearly; but he saw also that, in a protracted + death struggle, it might still have kept disloyal sentiments alive, bred + distracting commotions, and caused great mischief to the country. He + therefore hoped that slavery would not survive the war. + </p> + <p> + But the question how he could rightfully employ his power to bring on its + speedy destruction was to him not a question of mere sentiment. He himself + set forth his reasoning upon it, at a later period, in one of his + inimitable letters. "I am naturally antislavery," said he. "If slavery is + not wrong, nothing is wrong. I cannot remember the time when I did not so + think and feel. And yet I have never understood that the Presidency + conferred upon me an unrestricted right to act upon that judgment and + feeling. It was in the oath I took that I would, to the best of my + ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United + States. I could not take the office without taking the oath. Nor was it my + view that I might take an oath to get power, and break the oath in using + that power. I understood, too, that, in ordinary civil administration, + this oath even forbade me practically to indulge my private abstract + judgment on the moral question of slavery. I did understand, however, + also, that my oath imposed upon me the duty of preserving, to the best of + my ability, by every indispensable means, that government, that nation, of + which the Constitution was the organic law. I could not feel that, to the + best of my ability, I had even tied to preserve the Constitution—if, + to save slavery, or any minor matter, I should permit the wreck of + government, country, and Constitution all together." In other words, if + the salvation of the government, the Constitution, and the Union demanded + the destruction of slavery, he felt it to be not only his right, but his + sworn duty to destroy it. Its destruction became a necessity of the war + for the Union. + </p> + <p> + As the war dragged on and disaster followed disaster, the sense of that + necessity steadily grew upon him. Early in 1862, as some of his friends + well remember, he saw, what Seward seemed not to see, that to give the war + for the Union an antislavery character was the surest means to prevent the + recognition of the Southern Confederacy as an independent nation by + European powers; that, slavery being abhorred by the moral sense of + civilized mankind, no European government would dare to offer so gross an + insult to the public opinion of its people as openly to favor the creation + of a state founded upon slavery to the prejudice of an existing nation + fighting against slavery. He saw also that slavery untouched was to the + rebellion an element of power, and that in order to overcome that power it + was necessary to turn it into an element of weakness. Still, he felt no + assurance that the plain people were prepared for so radical a measure as + the emancipation of the slaves by act of the government, and he anxiously + considered that, if they were not, this great step might, by exciting + dissension at the North, injure the cause of the Union in one quarter more + than it would help it in another. He heartily welcomed an effort made in + New York to mould and stimulate public sentiment on the slavery question + by public meetings boldly pronouncing for emancipation. At the same time + he himself cautiously advanced with a recommendation, expressed in a + special message to Congress, that the United States should co-operate with + any State which might adopt the gradual abolishment of slavery, giving + such State pecuniary aid to compensate the former owners of emancipated + slaves. The discussion was started, and spread rapidly. Congress adopted + the resolution recommended, and soon went a step farther in passing a bill + to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. The plain people began to + look at emancipation on a larger scale as a thing to be considered + seriously by patriotic citizens; and soon Lincoln thought that the time + was ripe, and that the edict of freedom could be ventured upon without + danger of serious confusion in the Union ranks. + </p> + <p> + The failure of McClellan's movement upon Richmond increased immensely the + prestige of the enemy. The need of some great act to stimulate the + vitality of the Union cause seemed to grow daily more pressing. On July + 21, 1862, Lincoln surprised his cabinet with the draught of a proclamation + declaring free the slaves in all the States that should be still in + rebellion against the United States on the 1st of January,1863. As to the + matter itself he announced that he had fully made up his mind; he invited + advice only concerning the form and the time of publication. Seward + suggested that the proclamation, if then brought out, amidst disaster and + distress, would sound like the last shriek of a perishing cause. Lincoln + accepted the suggestion, and the proclamation was postponed. Another + defeat followed, the second at Bull Run. But when, after that battle, the + Confederate army, under Lee, crossed the Potomac and invaded Maryland, + Lincoln vowed in his heart that, if the Union army were now blessed with + success, the decree of freedom should surely be issued. The victory of + Antietam was won on September 17, and the preliminary Emancipation + Proclamation came forth on the a 22d. It was Lincoln's own resolution and + act; but practically it bound the nation, and permitted no step backward. + In spite of its limitations, it was the actual abolition of slavery. Thus + he wrote his name upon the books of history with the title dearest to his + heart, the liberator of the slave. + </p> + <p> + It is true, the great proclamation, which stamped the war as one for + "union and freedom," did not at once mark the turning of the tide on the + field of military operations. There were more disasters, Fredericksburg + and Chancellorsville. But with Gettysburg and Vicksburg the whole aspect + of the war changed. Step by step, now more slowly, then more rapidly, but + with increasing steadiness, the flag of the Union advanced from field to + field toward the final consummation. The decree of emancipation was + naturally followed by the enlistment of emancipated negroes in the Union + armies. This measure had a anther reaching effect than merely giving the + Union armies an increased supply of men. The laboring force of the + rebellion was hopelessly disorganized. The war became like a problem of + arithmetic. As the Union armies pushed forward, the area from which the + Southern Confederacy could draw recruits and supplies constantly grew + smaller, while the area from which the Union recruited its strength + constantly grew larger; and everywhere, even within the Southern lines, + the Union had its allies. The fate of the rebellion was then virtually + decided; but it still required much bloody work to convince the brave + warriors who fought for it that they were really beaten. + </p> + <p> + Neither did the Emancipation Proclamation forthwith command universal + assent among the people who were loyal to the Union. There were even signs + of a reaction against the administration in the fall elections of 1862, + seemingly justifying the opinion, entertained by many, that the President + had really anticipated the development of popular feeling. The cry that + the war for the Union had been turned into an "abolition war" was raised + again by the opposition, and more loudly than ever. But the good sense and + patriotic instincts of the plain people gradually marshalled themselves on + Lincoln's side, and he lost no opportunity to help on this process by + personal argument and admonition. There never has been a President in such + constant and active contact with the public opinion of the country, as + there never has been a President who, while at the head of the government, + remained so near to the people. Beyond the circle of those who had long + known him the feeling steadily grew that the man in the White House was + "honest Abe Lincoln" still, and that every citizen might approach him with + complaint, expostulation, or advice, without danger of meeting a rebuff + from power-proud authority, or humiliating condescension; and this + privilege was used by so many and with such unsparing freedom that only + superhuman patience could have endured it all. There are men now living + who would to-day read with amazement, if not regret, what they ventured to + say or write to him. But Lincoln repelled no one whom he believed to speak + to him in good faith and with patriotic purpose. No good advice would go + unheeded. No candid criticism would offend him. No honest opposition, + while it might pain him, would produce a lasting alienation of feeling + between him and the opponent. It may truly be said that few men in power + have ever been exposed to more daring attempts to direct their course, to + severer censure of their acts, and to more cruel misrepresentation of + their motives: And all this he met with that good-natured humor peculiarly + his own, and with untiring effort to see the right and to impress it upon + those who differed from him. The conversations he had and the + correspondence he carried on upon matters of public interest, not only + with men in official position, but with private citizens, were almost + unceasing, and in a large number of public letters, written ostensibly to + meetings, or committees, or persons of importance, he addressed himself + directly to the popular mind. Most of these letters stand among the finest + monuments of our political literature. Thus he presented the singular + spectacle of a President who, in the midst of a great civil war, with + unprecedented duties weighing upon him, was constantly in person debating + the great features of his policy with the people. + </p> + <p> + While in this manner he exercised an ever-increasing influence upon the + popular understanding, his sympathetic nature endeared him more and more + to the popular heart. In vain did journals and speakers of the opposition + represent him as a lightminded trifler, who amused himself with frivolous + story-telling and coarse jokes, while the blood of the people was flowing + in streams. The people knew that the man at the head of affairs, on whose + haggard face the twinkle of humor so frequently changed into an expression + of profoundest sadness, was more than any other deeply distressed by the + suffering he witnessed; that he felt the pain of every wound that was + inflicted on the battlefield, and the anguish of every woman or child who + had lost husband or father; that whenever he could he was eager to + alleviate sorrow, and that his mercy was never implored in vain. They + looked to him as one who was with them and of them in all their hopes and + fears, their joys and sorrows, who laughed with them and wept with them; + and as his heart was theirs; so their hearts turned to him. His popularity + was far different from that of Washington, who was revered with awe, or + that of Jackson, the unconquerable hero, for whom party enthusiasm never + grew weary of shouting. To Abraham Lincoln the people became bound by a + genuine sentimental attachment. It was not a matter of respect, or + confidence, or party pride, for this feeling spread far beyond the + boundary lines of his party; it was an affair of the heart, independent of + mere reasoning. When the soldiers in the field or their folks at home + spoke of "Father Abraham," there was no cant in it. They felt that their + President was really caring for them as a father would, and that they + could go to him, every one of them, as they would go to a father, and talk + to him of what troubled them, sure to find a willing ear and tender + sympathy. Thus, their President, and his cause, and his endeavors, and his + success gradually became to them almost matters of family concern. And + this popularity carried him triumphantly through the Presidential election + of 1864, in spite of an opposition within his own party which at first + seemed very formidable. + </p> + <p> + Many of the radical antislavery men were never quite satisfied with + Lincoln's ways of meeting the problems of the time. They were very earnest + and mostly very able men, who had positive ideas as to "how this rebellion + should be put down." They would not recognize the necessity of measuring + the steps of the government according to the progress of opinion among the + plain people. They criticised Lincoln's cautious management as irresolute, + halting, lacking in definite purpose and in energy; he should not have + delayed emancipation so long; he should not have confided important + commands to men of doubtful views as to slavery; he should have authorized + military commanders to set the slaves free as they went on; he dealt too + leniently with unsuccessful generals; he should have put down all factious + opposition with a strong hand instead of trying to pacify it; he should + have given the people accomplished facts instead of arguing with them, and + so on. It is true, these criticisms were not always entirely unfounded. + Lincoln's policy had, with the virtues of democratic government, some of + its weaknesses, which in the presence of pressing exigencies were apt to + deprive governmental action of the necessary vigor; and his kindness of + heart, his disposition always to respect the feelings of others, + frequently made him recoil from anything like severity, even when severity + was urgently called for. But many of his radical critics have since then + revised their judgment sufficiently to admit that Lincoln's policy was, on + the whole, the wisest and safest; that a policy of heroic methods, while + it has sometimes accomplished great results, could in a democracy like + ours be maintained only by constant success; that it would have quickly + broken down under the weight of disaster; that it might have been + successful from the start, had the Union, at the beginning of the + conflict, had its Grants and Shermans and Sheridans, its Farraguts and + Porters, fully matured at the head of its forces; but that, as the great + commanders had to be evolved slowly from the developments of the war, + constant success could not be counted upon, and it was best to follow a + policy which was in friendly contact with the popular force, and therefore + more fit to stand trial of misfortune on the battlefield. But at that + period they thought differently, and their dissatisfaction with Lincoln's + doings was greatly increased by the steps he took toward the + reconstruction of rebel States then partially in possession of the Union + forces. + </p> + <p> + In December, 1863, Lincoln issued an amnesty proclamation, offering pardon + to all implicated in the rebellion, with certain specified exceptions, on + condition of their taking and maintaining an oath to support the + Constitution and obey the laws of the United States and the proclamations + of the President with regard to slaves; and also promising that when, in + any of the rebel States, a number of citizens equal to one tenth of the + voters in 1860 should re-establish a state government in conformity with + the oath above mentioned, such should be recognized by the Executive as + the true government of the State. The proclamation seemed at first to be + received with general favor. But soon another scheme of reconstruction, + much more stringent in its provisions, was put forward in the House of + Representatives by Henry Winter Davis. Benjamin Wade championed it in the + Senate. It passed in the closing moments of the session in July, 1864, and + Lincoln, instead of making it a law by his signature, embodied the text of + it in a proclamation as a plan of reconstruction worthy of being earnestly + considered. The differences of opinion concerning this subject had only + intensified the feeling against Lincoln which had long been nursed among + the radicals, and some of them openly declared their purpose of resisting + his re-election to the Presidency. Similar sentiments were manifested by + the advanced antislavery men of Missouri, who, in their hot faction-fight + with the "conservatives" of that State, had not received from Lincoln the + active support they demanded. Still another class of Union men, mainly in + the East, gravely shook their heads when considering the question whether + Lincoln should be re-elected. They were those who cherished in their minds + an ideal of statesmanship and of personal bearing in high office with + which, in their opinion, Lincoln's individuality was much out of accord. + They were shocked when they heard him cap an argument upon grave affairs + of state with a story about "a man out in Sangamon County,"—a story, + to be sure, strikingly clinching his point, but sadly lacking in dignity. + They could not understand the man who was capable, in opening a cabinet + meeting, of reading to his secretaries a funny chapter from a recent book + of Artemus Ward, with which in an unoccupied moment he had relieved his + care-burdened mind, and who then solemnly informed the executive council + that he had vowed in his heart to issue a proclamation emancipating the + slaves as soon as God blessed the Union arms with another victory. They + were alarmed at the weakness of a President who would indeed resist the + urgent remonstrances of statesmen against his policy, but could not resist + the prayer of an old woman for the pardon of a soldier who was sentenced + to be shot for desertion. Such men, mostly sincere and ardent patriots, + not only wished, but earnestly set to work, to prevent Lincoln's + renomination. Not a few of them actually believed, in 1863, that, if the + national convention of the Union party were held then, Lincoln would not + be supported by the delegation of a single State. But when the convention + met at Baltimore, in June, 1864, the voice of the people was heard. On the + first ballot Lincoln received the votes of the delegations from all the + States except Missouri; and even the Missourians turned over their votes + to him before the result of the ballot was declared. + </p> + <p> + But even after his renomination the opposition to Lincoln within the ranks + of the Union party did not subside. A convention, called by the + dissatisfied radicals in Missouri, and favored by men of a similar way of + thinking in other States, had been held already in May, and had nominated + as its candidate for the Presidency General Fremont. He, indeed, did not + attract a strong following, but opposition movements from different + quarters appeared more formidable. Henry Winter Davis and Benjamin Wade + assailed Lincoln in a flaming manifesto. Other Union men, of undoubted + patriotism and high standing, persuaded themselves, and sought to persuade + the people, that Lincoln's renomination was ill advised and dangerous to + the Union cause. As the Democrats had put off their convention until the + 29th of August, the Union party had, during the larger part of the summer, + no opposing candidate and platform to attack, and the political campaign + languished. Neither were the tidings from the theatre of war of a cheering + character. The terrible losses suffered by Grant's army in the battles of + the Wilderness spread general gloom. Sherman seemed for a while to be in a + precarious position before Atlanta. The opposition to Lincoln within the + Union party grew louder in its complaints and discouraging predictions. + Earnest demands were heard that his candidacy should be withdrawn. Lincoln + himself, not knowing how strongly the masses were attached to him, was + haunted by dark forebodings of defeat. Then the scene suddenly changed as + if by magic. + </p> + <p> + The Democrats, in their national convention, declared the war a failure, + demanded, substantially, peace at any price, and nominated on such a + platform General McClellan as their candidate. Their convention had hardly + adjourned when the capture of Atlanta gave a new aspect to the military + situation. It was like a sun-ray bursting through a dark cloud. The rank + and file of the Union party rose with rapidly growing enthusiasm. The song + "We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand strong," resounded + all over the land. Long before the decisive day arrived, the result was + beyond doubt, and Lincoln was re-elected President by overwhelming + majorities. The election over even his severest critics found themselves + forced to admit that Lincoln was the only possible candidate for the Union + party in 1864, and that neither political combinations nor campaign + speeches, nor even victories in the field, were needed to insure his + success. The plain people had all the while been satisfied with Abraham + Lincoln: they confided in him; they loved him; they felt themselves near + to him; they saw personified in him the cause of Union and freedom; and + they went to the ballot-box for him in their strength. + </p> + <p> + The hour of triumph called out the characteristic impulses of his nature. + The opposition within the Union party had stung him to the quick. Now he + had his opponents before him, baffled and humiliated. Not a moment did he + lose to stretch out the hand of friendship to all. "Now that the election + is over," he said, in response to a serenade, "may not all, having a + common interest, reunite in a common effort to save our common country? + For my own part, I have striven, and will strive, to place no obstacle in + the way. So long as I have been here I have not willingly planted a thorn + in any man's bosom. While I am deeply sensible to the high compliment of a + re-election, it adds nothing to my satisfaction that any other man may be + pained or disappointed by the result. May I ask those who were with me to + join with me in the same spirit toward those who were against me?" This + was Abraham Lincoln's character as tested in the furnace of prosperity. + </p> + <p> + The war was virtually decided, but not yet ended. Sherman was irresistibly + carrying the Union flag through the South. Grant had his iron hand upon + the ramparts of Richmond. The days of the Confederacy were evidently + numbered. Only the last blow remained to be struck. Then Lincoln's second + inauguration came, and with it his second inaugural address. Lincoln's + famous "Gettysburg speech" has been much and justly admired. But far + greater, as well as far more characteristic, was that inaugural in which + he poured out the whole devotion and tenderness of his great soul. It had + all the solemnity of a father's last admonition and blessing to his + children before he lay down to die. These were its closing words: "Fondly + do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may + speedily pass away. Yet if God wills that it continue until all the wealth + piled up by the bondman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil + shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be + paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years + ago, so still it must be said, `The judgments of the Lord are true and + righteous altogether.' With malice toward none, with charity for all, with + firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to + finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him + who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan; to do + all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves + and with all nations." + </p> + <p> + This was like a sacred poem. No American President had ever spoken words + like these to the American people. America never had a President who found + such words in the depth of his heart. + </p> + <p> + Now followed the closing scenes of the war. The Southern armies fought + bravely to the last, but all in vain. Richmond fell. Lincoln himself + entered the city on foot, accompanied only by a few officers and a squad + of sailors who had rowed him ashore from the flotilla in the James River, + a negro picked up on the way serving as a guide. Never had the world seen + a more modest conqueror and a more characteristic triumphal procession, no + army with banners and drums, only a throng of those who had been slaves, + hastily run together, escorting the victorious chief into the capital of + the vanquished foe. We are told that they pressed around him, kissed his + hands and his garments, and shouted and danced for joy, while tears ran + down the President's care-furrowed cheeks. + </p> + <p> + A few days more brought the surrender of Lee's army, and peace was + assured. The people of the North were wild with joy. Everywhere festive + guns were booming, bells pealing, the churches ringing with thanksgivings, + and jubilant multitudes thronging the thoroughfares, when suddenly the + news flashed over the land that Abraham Lincoln had been murdered. The + people were stunned by the blow. Then a wail of sorrow went up such as + America had never heard before. Thousands of Northern households grieved + as if they had lost their dearest member. Many a Southern man cried out in + his heart that his people had been robbed of their best friend in their + humiliation and distress, when Abraham Lincoln was struck down. It was as + if the tender affection which his countrymen bore him had inspired all + nations with a common sentiment. All civilized mankind stood mourning + around the coffin of the dead President. Many of those, here and abroad, + who not long before had ridiculed and reviled him were among the first to + hasten on with their flowers of eulogy, and in that universal chorus of + lamentation and praise there was not a voice that did not tremble with + genuine emotion. Never since Washington's death had there been such + unanimity of judgment as to a man's virtues and greatness; and even + Washington's death, although his name was held in greater reverence, did + not touch so sympathetic a chord in the people's hearts. + </p> + <p> + Nor can it be said that this was owing to the tragic character of + Lincoln's end. It is true, the death of this gentlest and most merciful of + rulers by the hand of a mad fanatic was well apt to exalt him beyond his + merits in the estimation of those who loved him, and to make his renown + the object of peculiarly tender solicitude. But it is also true that the + verdict pronounced upon him in those days has been affected little by + time, and that historical inquiry has served rather to increase than to + lessen the appreciation of his virtues, his abilities, his services. + Giving the fullest measure of credit to his great ministers,—to + Seward for his conduct of foreign affairs, to Chase for the management of + the finances under terrible difficulties, to Stanton for the performance + of his tremendous task as war secretary,—and readily acknowledging + that without the skill and fortitude of the great commanders, and the + heroism of the soldiers and sailors under them, success could not have + been achieved, the historian still finds that Lincoln's judgment and will + were by no means governed by those around him; that the most important + steps were owing to his initiative; that his was the deciding and + directing mind; and that it was pre-eminently he whose sagacity and whose + character enlisted for the administration in its struggles the + countenance, the sympathy, and the support of the people. It is found, + even, that his judgment on military matters was astonishingly acute, and + that the advice and instructions he gave to the generals commanding in the + field would not seldom have done honor to the ablest of them. History, + therefore, without overlooking, or palliating, or excusing any of his + shortcomings or mistakes, continues to place him foremost among the + saviours of the Union and the liberators of the slave. More than that, it + awards to him the merit of having accomplished what but few political + philosophers would have recognized as possible,—of leading the + republic through four years of furious civil conflict without any serious + detriment to its free institutions. + </p> + <p> + He was, indeed, while President, violently denounced by the opposition as + a tyrant and a usurper, for having gone beyond his constitutional powers + in authorizing or permitting the temporary suppression of newspapers, and + in wantonly suspending the writ of habeas corpus and resorting to + arbitrary arrests. Nobody should be blamed who, when such things are done, + in good faith and from patriotic motives protests against them. In a + republic, arbitrary stretches of power, even when demanded by necessity, + should never be permitted to pass without a protest on the one hand, and + without an apology on the other. It is well they did not so pass during + our civil war. That arbitrary measures were resorted to is true. That they + were resorted to most sparingly, and only when the government thought them + absolutely required by the safety of the republic, will now hardly be + denied. But certain it is that the history of the world does not furnish a + single example of a government passing through so tremendous a crisis as + our civil war was with so small a record of arbitrary acts, and so little + interference with the ordinary course of law outside the field of military + operations. No American President ever wielded such power as that which + was thrust into Lincoln's hands. It is to be hoped that no American + President ever will have to be entrusted with such power again. But no man + was ever entrusted with it to whom its seductions were less dangerous than + they proved to be to Abraham Lincoln. With scrupulous care he endeavored, + even under the most trying circumstances, to remain strictly within the + constitutional limitations of his authority; and whenever the boundary + became indistinct, or when the dangers of the situation forced him to + cross it, he was equally careful to mark his acts as exceptional measures, + justifiable only by the imperative necessities of the civil war, so that + they might not pass into history as precedents for similar acts in time of + peace. It is an unquestionable fact that during the reconstruction period + which followed the war, more things were done capable of serving as + dangerous precedents than during the war itself. Thus it may truly be said + of him not only that under his guidance the republic was saved from + disruption and the country was purified of the blot of slavery, but that, + during the stormiest and most perilous crisis in our history, he so + conducted the government and so wielded his almost dictatorial power as to + leave essentially intact our free institutions in all things that concern + the rights and liberties of the citizens. He understood well the nature of + the problem. In his first message to Congress he defined it in admirably + pointed language: "Must a government be of necessity too strong for the + liberties of its own people, or too weak to maintain its own existence? Is + there in all republics this inherent weakness?" This question he answered + in the name of the great American republic, as no man could have answered + it better, with a triumphant "No...." + </p> + <p> + It has been said that Abraham Lincoln died at the right moment for his + fame. However that may be, he had, at the time of his death, certainly not + exhausted his usefulness to his country. He was probably the only man who + could have guided the nation through the perplexities of the + reconstruction period in such a manner as to prevent in the work of peace + the revival of the passions of the war. He would indeed not have escaped + serious controversy as to details of policy; but he could have weathered + it far better than any other statesman of his time, for his prestige with + the active politicians had been immensely strengthened by his triumphant + re-election; and, what is more important, he would have been supported by + the confidence of the victorious Northern people that he would do all to + secure the safety of the Union and the rights of the emancipated negro, + and at the same time by the confidence of the defeated Southern people + that nothing would be done by him from motives of vindictiveness, or of + unreasoning fanaticism, or of a selfish party spirit. "With malice toward + none, with charity for all," the foremost of the victors would have + personified in himself the genius of reconciliation. + </p> + <p> + He might have rendered the country a great service in another direction. A + few days after the fall of Richmond, he pointed out to a friend the crowd + of office-seekers besieging his door. "Look at that," said he. "Now we + have conquered the rebellion, but here you see something that may become + more dangerous to this republic than the rebellion itself." It is true, + Lincoln as President did not profess what we now call civil service reform + principles. He used the patronage of the government in many cases avowedly + to reward party work, in many others to form combinations and to produce + political effects advantageous to the Union cause, and in still others + simply to put the right man into the right place. But in his endeavors to + strengthen the Union cause, and in his search for able and useful men for + public duties, he frequently went beyond the limits of his party, and + gradually accustomed himself to the thought that, while party service had + its value, considerations of the public interest were, as to appointments + to office, of far greater consequence. Moreover, there had been such a + mingling of different political elements in support of the Union during + the civil war that Lincoln, standing at the head of that temporarily + united motley mass, hardly felt himself, in the narrow sense of the term, + a party man. And as he became strongly impressed with the dangers brought + upon the republic by the use of public offices as party spoils, it is by + no means improbable that, had he survived the all-absorbing crisis and + found time to turn to other objects, one of the most important reforms of + later days would have been pioneered by his powerful authority. This was + not to be. But the measure of his achievements was full enough for + immortality. + </p> + <p> + To the younger generation Abraham Lincoln has already become a + half-mythical figure, which, in the haze of historic distance, grows to + more and more heroic proportions, but also loses in distinctness of + outline and feature. This is indeed the common lot of popular heroes; but + the Lincoln legend will be more than ordinarily apt to become fanciful, as + his individuality, assembling seemingly incongruous qualities and forces + in a character at the same time grand and most lovable, was so unique, and + his career so abounding in startling contrasts. As the state of society in + which Abraham Lincoln grew up passes away, the world will read with + increasing wonder of the man who, not only of the humblest origin, but + remaining the simplest and most unpretending of citizens, was raised to a + position of power unprecedented in our history; who was the gentlest and + most peace-loving of mortals, unable to see any creature suffer without a + pang in his own breast, and suddenly found himself called to conduct the + greatest and bloodiest of our wars; who wielded the power of government + when stern resolution and relentless force were the order of the day and + then won and ruled the popular mind and heart by the tender sympathies of + his nature; who was a cautious conservative by temperament and mental + habit, and led the most sudden and sweeping social revolution of our time; + who, preserving his homely speech and rustic manner even in the most + conspicuous position of that period, drew upon himself the scoffs of + polite society, and then thrilled the soul of mankind with utterances of + wonderful beauty and grandeur; who, in his heart the best friend of the + defeated South, was murdered because a crazy fanatic took him for its most + cruel enemy; who, while in power, was beyond measure lampooned and + maligned by sectional passion and an excited party spirit, and around + whose bier friend and foe gathered to praise him which they have since + never ceased to do—as one of the greatest of Americans and the best + of men. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ABRAHAM LINCOLN, BY JOSEPH H. CHOATE + </h2> + <p> + [This Address was delivered before the Edinburgh Philosophical + Institution, November 13, 1900. It is included in this set with the + courteous permission of the author and of Messrs. Thomas Y. Crowell & + Company.] + </p> + <p> + ABRAHAM LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + When you asked me to deliver the Inaugural Address on this occasion, I + recognized that I owed this compliment to the fact that I was the official + representative of America, and in selecting a subject I ventured to think + that I might interest you for an hour in a brief study in popular + government, as illustrated by the life of the most American of all + Americans. I therefore offer no apology for asking your attention to + Abraham Lincoln—to his unique character and the part he bore in two + important achievements of modern history: the preservation of the + integrity of the American Union and the emancipation of the colored race. + </p> + <p> + During his brief term of power he was probably the object of more abuse, + vilification, and ridicule than any other man in the world; but when he + fell by the hand of an assassin, at the very moment of his stupendous + victory, all the nations of the earth vied with one another in paying + homage to his character, and the thirty-five years that have since elapsed + have established his place in history as one of the great benefactors not + of his own country alone, but of the human race. + </p> + <p> + One of many noble utterances upon the occasion of his death was that in + which 'Punch' made its magnanimous recantation of the spirit with which it + had pursued him: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Beside this corpse that bears for winding sheet + The stars and stripes he lived to rear anew, + Between the mourners at his head and feet, + Say, scurrile jester, is there room for you? + + ................... + + "Yes, he had lived to shame me from my sneer, + To lame my pencil, and confute my pen + To make me own this hind—of princes peer, + This rail-splitter—a true born king of men." +</pre> + <p> + Fiction can furnish no match for the romance of his life, and biography + will be searched in vain for such startling vicissitudes of fortune, so + great power and glory won out of such humble beginnings and adverse + circumstances. + </p> + <p> + Doubtless you are all familiar with the salient points of his + extraordinary career. In the zenith of his fame he was the wise, patient, + courageous, successful ruler of men; exercising more power than any + monarch of his time, not for himself, but for the good of the people who + had placed it in his hands; commander-in-chief of a vast military power, + which waged with ultimate success the greatest war of the century; the + triumphant champion of popular government, the deliverer of four millions + of his fellowmen from bondage; honored by mankind as Statesman, President, + and Liberator. + </p> + <p> + Let us glance now at the first half of the brief life of which this was + the glorious and happy consummation. Nothing could be more squalid and + miserable than the home in which Abraham Lincoln was born—a + one-roomed cabin without floor or window in what was then the wilderness + of Kentucky, in the heart of that frontier life which swiftly moved + westward from the Alleghanies to the Mississippi, always in advance of + schools and churches, of books and money, of railroads and newspapers, of + all things which are generally regarded as the comforts and even + necessaries of life. His father, ignorant, needy, and thriftless, content + if he could keep soul and body together for himself and his family, was + ever seeking, without success, to better his unhappy condition by moving + on from one such scene of dreary desolation to another. The rude society + which surrounded them was not much better. The struggle for existence was + hard, and absorbed all their energies. They were fighting the forest, the + wild beast, and the retreating savage. From the time when he could barely + handle tools until he attained his majority, Lincoln's life was that of a + simple farm laborer, poorly clad, housed, and fed, at work either on his + father's wretched farm or hired out to neighboring farmers. But in spite, + or perhaps by means, of this rude environment, he grew to be a stalwart + giant, reaching six feet four at nineteen, and fabulous stories are told + of his feats of strength. With the growth of this mighty frame began that + strange education which in his ripening years was to qualify him for the + great destiny that awaited him, and the development of those mental + faculties and moral endowments which, by the time he reached middle life, + were to make him the sagacious, patient, and triumphant leader of a great + nation in the crisis of its fate. His whole schooling, obtained during + such odd times as could be spared from grinding labor, did not amount in + all to as much as one year, and the quality of the teaching was of the + lowest possible grade, including only the elements of reading, writing, + and ciphering. But out of these simple elements, when rightly used by the + right man, education is achieved, and Lincoln knew how to use them. As so + often happens, he seemed to take warning from his father's unfortunate + example. Untiring industry, an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and an + ever-growing desire to rise above his surroundings, were early + manifestations of his character. + </p> + <p> + Books were almost unknown in that community, but the Bible was in every + house, and somehow or other Pilgrim's Progress, AEsop's Fables, a History + of the United States, and a Life of Washington fell into his hands. He + trudged on foot many miles through the wilderness to borrow an English + Grammar, and is said to have devoured greedily the contents of the + Statutes of Indiana that fell in his way. These few volumes he read and + reread—and his power of assimilation was great. To be shut in with a + few books and to master them thoroughly sometimes does more for the + development of character than freedom to range at large, in a cursory and + indiscriminate way, through wide domains of literature. This youth's mind, + at any rate, was thoroughly saturated with Biblical knowledge and Biblical + language, which, in after life, he used with great readiness and effect. + But it was the constant use of the little knowledge which he had that + developed and exercised his mental powers. After the hard day's work was + done, while others slept, he toiled on, always reading or writing. From an + early age he did his own thinking and made up his own mind—invaluable + traits in the future President. Paper was such a scarce commodity that, by + the evening firelight, he would write and cipher on the back of a wooden + shovel, and then shave it off to make room for more. By and by, as he + approached manhood, he began speaking in the rude gatherings of the + neighborhood, and so laid the foundation of that art of persuading his + fellow-men which was one rich result of his education, and one great + secret of his subsequent success. + </p> + <p> + Accustomed as we are in these days of steam and telegraphs to have every + intelligent boy survey the whole world each morning before breakfast, and + inform himself as to what is going on in every nation, it is hardly + possible to conceive how benighted and isolated was the condition of the + community at Pigeon Creek in Indiana, of which the family of Lincoln's + father formed a part, or how eagerly an ambitious and high-spirited boy, + such as he, must have yearned to escape. The first glimpse that he ever + got of any world beyond the narrow confines of his home was in 1828, at + the age of nineteen, when a neighbor employed him to accompany his son + down the river to New Orleans to dispose of a flatboat of produce—a + commission which he discharged with great success. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after his return from this his first excursion into the outer + world, his father, tired of failure in Indiana, packed his family and all + his worldly goods into a single wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen, and after + a fourteen days' tramp through the wilderness, pitched his camp once more, + in Illinois. Here Abraham, having come of age and being now his own + master, rendered the last service of his minority by ploughing the + fifteen-acre lot and splitting from the tall walnut trees of the primeval + forest enough rails to surround the little clearing with a fence. Such was + the meagre outfit of this coming leader of men, at the age when the future + British Prime Minister or statesman emerges from the university as a + double first or senior wrangler, with every advantage that high training + and broad culture and association with the wisest and the best of men and + women can give, and enters upon some form of public service on the road to + usefulness and honor, the University course being only the first stage of + the public training. So Lincoln, at twenty-one, had just begun his + preparation for the public life to which he soon began to aspire. For some + years yet he must continue to earn his daily bread by the sweat of his + brow, having absolutely no means, no home, no friend to consult. More farm + work as a hired hand, a clerkship in a village store, the running of a + mill, another trip to New Orleans on a flatboat of his own contriving, a + pilot's berth on the river—these were the means by which he + subsisted until, in the summer of 1832, when he was twenty-three years of + age, an event occurred which gave him public recognition. + </p> + <p> + The Black Hawk war broke out, and, the Governor of Illinois calling for + volunteers to repel the band of savages whose leader bore that name, + Lincoln enlisted and was elected captain by his comrades, among whom he + had already established his supremacy by signal feats of strength and more + than one successful single combat. During the brief hostilities he was + engaged in no battle and won no military glory, but his local leadership + was established. The same year he offered himself as a candidate for the + Legislature of Illinois, but failed at the polls. Yet his vast popularity + with those who knew him was manifest. The district consisted of several + counties, but the unanimous vote of the people of his own county was for + Lincoln. Another unsuccessful attempt at store-keeping was followed by + better luck at surveying, until his horse and instruments were levied upon + under execution for the debts of his business adventure. + </p> + <p> + I have been thus detailed in sketching his early years because upon these + strange foundations the structure of his great fame and service was built. + In the place of a school and university training fortune substituted these + trials, hardships, and struggles as a preparation for the great work which + he had to do. It turned out to be exactly what the emergency required. Ten + years instead at the public school and the university certainly never + could have fitted this man for the unique work which was to be thrown upon + him. Some other Moses would have had to lead us to our Jordan, to the + sight of our promised land of liberty. + </p> + <p> + At the age of twenty-five he became a member of the Legislature of + Illinois, and so continued for eight years, and, in the meantime, + qualified himself by reading such law books as he could borrow at random—for + he was too poor to buy any to be called to the Bar. For his second quarter + of a century—during which a single term in Congress introduced him + into the arena of national questions—he gave himself up to law and + politics. In spite of his soaring ambition, his two years in Congress gave + him no premonition of the great destiny that awaited him,—and at its + close, in 1849, we find him an unsuccessful applicant to the President for + appointment as Commissioner of the General Land Office—a purely + administrative bureau; a fortunate escape for himself and for his country. + Year by year his knowledge and power, his experience and reputation + extended, and his mental faculties seemed to grow by what they fed on. His + power of persuasion, which had always been marked, was developed to an + extraordinary degree, now that he became engaged in congenial questions + and subjects. Little by little he rose to prominence at the Bar, and + became the most effective public speaker in the West. Not that he + possessed any of the graces of the orator; but his logic was invincible, + and his clearness and force of statement impressed upon his hearers the + convictions of his honest mind, while his broad sympathies and sparkling + and genial humor made him a universal favorite as far and as fast as his + acquaintance extended. + </p> + <p> + These twenty years that elapsed from the time of his establishment as a + lawyer and legislator in Springfield, the new capital of Illinois, + furnished a fitting theatre for the development and display of his great + faculties, and, with his new and enlarged opportunities, he obviously grew + in mental stature in this second period of his career, as if to compensate + for the absolute lack of advantages under which he had suffered in youth. + As his powers enlarged, his reputation extended, for he was always before + the people, felt a warm sympathy with all that concerned them, took a + zealous part in the discussion of every public question, and made his + personal influence ever more widely and deeply felt. + </p> + <p> + My brethren of the legal profession will naturally ask me, how could this + rough backwoodsman, whose youth had been spent in the forest or on the + farm and the flatboat, without culture or training, education or study, by + the random reading, on the wing, of a few miscellaneous law books, become + a learned and accomplished lawyer? Well, he never did. He never would have + earned his salt as a 'Writer' for the 'Signet', nor have won a place as + advocate in the Court of Session, where the technique of the profession + has reached its highest perfection, and centuries of learning and + precedent are involved in the equipment of a lawyer. Dr. Holmes, when + asked by an anxious young mother, "When should the education of a child + begin?" replied, "Madam, at least two centuries before it is born!" and so + I am sure it is with the Scots lawyer. + </p> + <p> + But not so in Illinois in 1840. Between 1830 and 1880 its population + increased twenty-fold, and when Lincoln began practising law in + Springfield in 1837, life in Illinois was very crude and simple, and so + were the courts and the administration of justice. Books and libraries + were scarce. But the people loved justice, upheld the law, and followed + the courts, and soon found their favorites among the advocates. The + fundamental principles of the common law, as set forth by Blackstone and + Chitty, were not so difficult to acquire; and brains, common sense, force + of character, tenacity of purpose, ready wit and power of speech did the + rest, and supplied all the deficiencies of learning. + </p> + <p> + The lawsuits of those days were extremely simple, and the principles of + natural justice were mainly relied on to dispose of them at the Bar and on + the Bench, without resort to technical learning. Railroads, corporations + absorbing the chief business of the community, combined and inherited + wealth, with all the subtle and intricate questions they breed, had not + yet come in—and so the professional agents and the equipment which + they require were not needed. But there were many highly educated and + powerful men at the Bar of Illinois, even in those early days, whom the + spirit of enterprise had carried there in search of fame and fortune. It + was by constant contact and conflict with these that Lincoln acquired + professional strength and skill. Every community and every age creates its + own Bar, entirely adequate for its present uses and necessities. So in + Illinois, as the population and wealth of the State kept on doubling and + quadrupling, its Bar presented a growing abundance of learning and science + and technical skill. The early practitioners grew with its growth and + mastered the requisite knowledge. Chicago soon grew to be one of the + largest and richest and certainly the most intensely active city on the + continent, and if any of my professional friends here had gone there in + Lincoln's later years, to try or argue a cause, or transact other + business, with any idea that Edinburgh or London had a monopoly of legal + learning, science, or subtlety, they would certainly have found their + mistake. + </p> + <p> + In those early days in the West, every lawyer, especially every court + lawyer, was necessarily a politician, constantly engaged in the public + discussion of the many questions evolved from the rapid development of + town, county, State, and Federal affairs. Then and there, in this regard, + public discussion supplied the place which the universal activity of the + press has since monopolized, and the public speaker who, by clearness, + force, earnestness, and wit; could make himself felt on the questions of + the day would rapidly come to the front. In the absence of that immense + variety of popular entertainments which now feed the public taste and + appetite, the people found their chief amusement in frequenting the courts + and public and political assemblies. In either place, he who impressed, + entertained, and amused them most was the hero of the hour. They did not + discriminate very carefully between the eloquence of the forum and the + eloquence of the hustings. Human nature ruled in both alike, and he who + was the most effective speaker in a political harangue was often retained + as most likely to win in a cause to be tried or argued. And I have no + doubt in this way many retainers came to Lincoln. Fees, money in any form, + had no charms for him—in his eager pursuit of fame he could not + afford to make money. He was ambitious to distinguish himself by some + great service to mankind, and this ambition for fame and real public + service left no room for avarice in his composition. However much he + earned, he seems to have ended every year hardly richer than he began it, + and yet, as the years passed, fees came to him freely. One of L 1,000 is + recorded—a very large professional fee at that time, even in any + part of America, the paradise of lawyers. I lay great stress on Lincoln's + career as a lawyer—much more than his biographers do because in + America a state of things exists wholly different from that which prevails + in Great Britain. The profession of the law always has been and is to this + day the principal avenue to public life; and I am sure that his training + and experience in the courts had much to do with the development of those + forces of intellect and character which he soon displayed on a broader + arena. + </p> + <p> + It was in political controversy, of course, that he acquired his wide + reputation, and made his deep and lasting impression upon the people of + what had now become the powerful State of Illinois, and upon the people of + the Great West, to whom the political power and control of the United + States were already surely and swiftly passing from the older Eastern + States. It was this reputation and this impression, and the familiar + knowledge of his character which had come to them from his local + leadership, that happily inspired the people of the West to present him as + their candidate, and to press him upon the Republican convention of 1860 + as the fit and necessary leader in the struggle for life which was before + the nation. + </p> + <p> + That struggle, as you all know, arose out of the terrible question of + slavery—and I must trust to your general knowledge of the history of + that question to make intelligible the attitude and leadership of Lincoln + as the champion of the hosts of freedom in the final contest. Negro + slavery had been firmly established in the Southern States from an early + period of their history. In 1619, the year before the Mayflower landed our + Pilgrim Fathers upon Plymouth Rock, a Dutch ship had discharged a cargo of + African slaves at Jamestown in Virginia: All through the colonial period + their importation had continued. A few had found their way into the + Northern States, but none of them in sufficient numbers to constitute + danger or to afford a basis for political power. At the time of the + adoption of the Federal Constitution, there is no doubt that the principal + members of the convention not only condemned slavery as a moral, social, + and political evil, but believed that by the suppression of the slave + trade it was in the course of gradual extinction in the South, as it + certainly was in the North. Washington, in his will, provided for the + emancipation of his own slaves, and said to Jefferson that it "was among + his first wishes to see some plan adopted by which slavery in his country + might be abolished." Jefferson said, referring to the institution: "I + tremble for my country when I think that God is just; that His justice + cannot sleep forever,"—and Franklin, Adams, Hamilton, and Patrick + Henry were all utterly opposed to it. But it was made the subject of a + fatal compromise in the Federal Constitution, whereby its existence was + recognized in the States as a basis of representation, the prohibition of + the importation of slaves was postponed for twenty years, and the return + of fugitive slaves provided for. But no imminent danger was apprehended + from it till, by the invention of the cotton gin in 1792, cotton culture + by negro labor became at once and forever the leading industry of the + South, and gave a new impetus to the importation of slaves, so that in + 1808, when the constitutional prohibition took effect, their numbers had + vastly increased. From that time forward slavery became the basis of a + great political power, and the Southern States, under all circumstances + and at every opportunity, carried on a brave and unrelenting struggle for + its maintenance and extension. + </p> + <p> + The conscience of the North was slow to rise against it, though bitter + controversies from time to time took place. The Southern leaders + threatened disunion if their demands were not complied with. To save the + Union, compromise after compromise was made, but each one in the end was + broken. The Missouri Compromise, made in 1820 upon the occasion of the + admission of Missouri into the Union as a slave State, whereby, in + consideration of such admission, slavery was forever excluded from the + Northwest Territory, was ruthlessly repealed in 1854, by a Congress + elected in the interests of the slave power, the intent being to force + slavery into that vast territory which had so long been dedicated to + freedom. This challenge at last aroused the slumbering conscience and + passion of the North, and led to the formation of the Republican party for + the avowed purpose of preventing, by constitutional methods, the further + extension of slavery. + </p> + <p> + In its first campaign, in 1856, though it failed to elect its candidates; + it received a surprising vote and carried many of the States. No one could + any longer doubt that the North had made up its mind that no threats of + disunion should deter it from pressing its cherished purpose and + performing its long neglected duty. From the outset, Lincoln was one of + the most active and effective leaders and speakers of the new party, and + the great debates between Lincoln and Douglas in 1858, as the respective + champions of the restriction and extension of slavery, attracted the + attention of the whole country. Lincoln's powerful arguments carried + conviction everywhere. His moral nature was thoroughly aroused his + conscience was stirred to the quick. Unless slavery was wrong, nothing was + wrong. Was each man, of whatever color, entitled to the fruits of his own + labor, or could one man live in idle luxury by the sweat of another's + brow, whose skin was darker? He was an implicit believer in that principle + of the Declaration of Independence that all men are vested with certain + inalienable rights the equal rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of + happiness. On this doctrine he staked his case and carried it. We have + time only for one or two sentences in which he struck the keynote of the + contest. + </p> + <p> + "The real issue in this country is the eternal struggle between these two + principles—right and wrong—throughout the world. They are the + two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time, + and will ever continue to struggle. The one is the common right of + humanity, and the other the divine right of kings. It is the same + principle in whatever shape it develops itself. It is the same spirit that + says, 'You work and toil and earn bread and I'll eat it.'" + </p> + <p> + He foresaw with unerring vision that the conflict was inevitable and + irrepressible—that one or the other, the right or the wrong, freedom + or slavery, must ultimately prevail and wholly prevail, throughout the + country; and this was the principle that carried the war, once begun, to a + finish. + </p> + <p> + One sentence of his is immortal: + </p> + <p> + "Under the operation of the policy of compromise, the slavery agitation + has not only not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion it + will not cease until a crisis shall have been reached and passed. 'A house + divided against itself cannot stand.' I believe this government cannot + endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to + be dissolved. I do not expect the house to fall, but I do expect it will + cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other; either + the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place + it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course + of ultimate extinction, or its advocates will push it forward till it + shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new, North as + well as South." + </p> + <p> + During the entire decade from 1850 to 1860 the agitation of the slavery + question was at the boiling point, and events which have become historical + continually indicated the near approach of the overwhelming storm. No + sooner had the Compromise Acts of 1850 resulted in a temporary peace, + which everybody said must be final and perpetual, than new outbreaks came. + The forcible carrying away of fugitive slaves by Federal troops from + Boston agitated that ancient stronghold of freedom to its foundations. The + publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin, which truly exposed the frightful + possibilities of the slave system; the reckless attempts by force and + fraud to establish it in Kansas against the will of the vast majority of + the settlers; the beating of Summer in the Senate Chamber for words spoken + in debate; the Dred Scott decision in the Supreme Court, which made the + nation realize that the slave power had at last reached the fountain of + Federal justice; and finally the execution of John Brown, for his wild + raid into Virginia, to invite the slaves to rally to the standard of + freedom which he unfurled:—all these events tend to illustrate and + confirm Lincoln's contention that the nation could not permanently + continue half slave and half free, but must become all one thing or all + the other. When John Brown lay under sentence of death he declared that + now he was sure that slavery must be wiped out in blood; but neither he + nor his executioners dreamt that within four years a million soldiers + would be marching across the country for its final extirpation, to the + music of the war-song of the great conflict: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave, + But his soul is marching on." +</pre> + <p> + And now, at the age of fifty-one, this child of the wilderness, this farm + laborer, rail-sputter, flatboatman, this surveyor, lawyer, orator, + statesman, and patriot, found himself elected by the great party which was + pledged to prevent at all hazards the further extension of slavery, as the + chief magistrate of the Republic, bound to carry out that purpose, to be + the leader and ruler of the nation in its most trying hour. + </p> + <p> + Those who believe that there is a living Providence that overrules and + conducts the affairs of nations, find in the elevation of this plain man + to this extraordinary fortune and to this great duty, which he so fitly + discharged, a signal vindication of their faith. Perhaps to this + philosophical institution the judgment of our philosopher Emerson will + commend itself as a just estimate of Lincoln's historical place. + </p> + <p> + "His occupying the chair of state was a triumph of the good sense of + mankind and of the public conscience. He grew according to the need; his + mind mastered the problem of the day: and as the problem grew, so did his + comprehension of it. In the war there was no place for holiday magistrate, + nor fair-weather sailor. The new pilot was hurried to the helm in a + tornado. In four years—four years of battle days—his + endurance, his fertility of resource, his magnanimity, were sorely tried, + and never found wanting. There, by his courage, his justice, his even + temper, his fertile counsel, his humanity, he stood a heroic figure in the + centre of a heroic epoch. He is the true history of the American people in + his time, the true representative of this continent—father of his + country, the pulse of twenty millions throbbing in his heart, the thought + of their mind—articulated in his tongue." + </p> + <p> + He was born great, as distinguished from those who achieve greatness or + have it thrust upon them, and his inherent capacity, mental, moral, and + physical, having been recognized by the educated intelligence of a free + people, they happily chose him for their ruler in a day of deadly peril. + </p> + <p> + It is now forty years since I first saw and heard Abraham Lincoln, but the + impression which he left on my mind is ineffaceable. After his great + successes in the West he came to New York to make a political address. He + appeared in every sense of the word like one of the plain people among + whom he loved to be counted. At first sight there was nothing impressive + or imposing about him—except that his great stature singled him out + from the crowd: his clothes hung awkwardly on his giant frame; his face + was of a dark pallor, without the slightest tinge of color; his seamed and + rugged features bore the furrows of hardship and struggle; his deep-set + eyes looked sad and anxious; his countenance in repose gave little + evidence of that brain power which had raised him from the lowest to the + highest station among his countrymen; as he talked to me before the + meeting, he seemed ill at ease, with that sort of apprehension which a + young man might feel before presenting himself to a new and strange + audience, whose critical disposition he dreaded. It was a great audience, + including all the noted men—all the learned and cultured of his + party in New York editors, clergymen, statesmen, lawyers, merchants, + critics. They were all very curious to hear him. His fame as a powerful + speaker had preceded him, and exaggerated rumor of his wit—the worst + forerunner of an orator—had reached the East. When Mr. Bryant + presented him, on the high platform of the Cooper Institute, a vast sea of + eager upturned faces greeted him, full of intense curiosity to see what + this rude child of the people was like. He was equal to the occasion. When + he spoke he was transformed; his eye kindled, his voice rang, his face + shone and seemed to light up the whole assembly. For an hour and a half he + held his audience in the hollow of his hand. His style of speech and + manner of delivery were severely simple. What Lowell called "the grand + simplicities of the Bible," with which he was so familiar, were reflected + in his discourse. With no attempt at ornament or rhetoric, without parade + or pretence, he spoke straight to the point. If any came expecting the + turgid eloquence or the ribaldry of the frontier, they must have been + startled at the earnest and sincere purity of his utterances. It was + marvellous to see how this untutored man, by mere self-discipline and the + chastening of his own spirit, had outgrown all meretricious arts, and + found his own way to the grandeur and strength of absolute simplicity. + </p> + <p> + He spoke upon the theme which he had mastered so thoroughly. He + demonstrated by copious historical proofs and masterly logic that the + fathers who created the Constitution in order to form a more perfect + union, to establish justice, and to secure the blessings of liberty to + themselves and their posterity, intended to empower the Federal Government + to exclude slavery from the Territories. In the kindliest spirit he + protested against the avowed threat of the Southern States to destroy the + Union if, in order to secure freedom in those vast regions out of which + future States were to be carved, a Republican President were elected. He + closed with an appeal to his audience, spoken with all the fire of his + aroused and kindling conscience, with a full outpouring of his love of + justice and liberty, to maintain their political purpose on that lofty and + unassailable issue of right and wrong which alone could justify it, and + not to be intimidated from their high resolve and sacred duty by any + threats of destruction to the government or of ruin to themselves. He + concluded with this telling sentence, which drove the whole argument home + to all our hearts: "Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that + faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it." That + night the great hall, and the next day the whole city, rang with delighted + applause and congratulations, and he who had come as a stranger departed + with the laurels of great triumph. + </p> + <p> + Alas! in five years from that exulting night I saw him again, for the last + time, in the same city, borne in his coffin through its draped streets. + With tears and lamentations a heart-broken people accompanied him from + Washington, the scene of his martyrdom, to his last resting-place in the + young city of the West where he had worked his way to fame. + </p> + <p> + Never was a new ruler in a more desperate plight than Lincoln when he + entered office on the fourth of March, 1861, four months after his + election, and took his oath to support the Constitution and the Union. The + intervening time had been busily employed by the Southern States in + carrying out their threat of disunion in the event of his election. As + soon as the fact was ascertained, seven of them had seceded and had seized + upon the forts, arsenals, navy yards, and other public property of the + United States within their boundaries, and were making every preparation + for war. In the meantime the retiring President, who had been elected by + the slave power, and who thought the seceding States could not lawfully be + coerced, had done absolutely nothing. Lincoln found himself, by the + Constitution, Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United + States, but with only a remnant of either at hand. Each was to be created + on a great scale out of the unknown resources of a nation untried in war. + </p> + <p> + In his mild and conciliatory inaugural address, while appealing to the + seceding States to return to their allegiance, he avowed his purpose to + keep the solemn oath he had taken that day, to see that the laws of the + Union were faithfully executed, and to use the troops to recover the + forts, navy yards, and other property belonging to the government. It is + probable, however, that neither side actually realized that war was + inevitable, and that the other was determined to fight, until the assault + on Fort Sumter presented the South as the first aggressor and roused the + North to use every possible resource to maintain the government and the + imperilled Union, and to vindicate the supremacy of the flag over every + inch of the territory of the United States. The fact that Lincoln's first + proclamation called for only 75,000 troops, to serve for three months, + shows how inadequate was even his idea of what the future had in store. + But from that moment Lincoln and his loyal supporters never faltered in + their purpose. They knew they could win, that it was their duty to win, + and that for America the whole hope of the future depended upon their + winning; for now by the acts of the seceding States the issue of the + election to secure or prevent the extension of slavery—stood + transformed into a struggle to preserve or to destroy the Union. + </p> + <p> + We cannot follow this contest. You know its gigantic proportions; that it + lasted four years instead of three months; that in its progress, instead + of 75,000 men, more than 2,000,000 were enrolled on the side of the + government alone; that the aggregate cost and loss to the nation + approximated to 1,000,000,000 pounds sterling, and that not less than + 300,000 brave and precious lives were sacrificed on each side. History has + recorded how Lincoln bore himself during these four frightful years; that + he was the real President, the responsible and actual head of the + government, through it all; that he listened to all advice, heard all + parties, and then, always realizing his responsibility to God and the + nation, decided every great executive question for himself. His absolute + honesty had become proverbial long before he was President. "Honest Abe + Lincoln" was the name by which he had been known for years. His every act + attested it. + </p> + <p> + In all the grandeur of the vast power that he wielded, he never ceased to + be one of the plain people, as he always called them, never lost or + impaired his perfect sympathy with them, was always in perfect touch with + them and open to their appeals; and here lay the very secret of his + personality and of his power, for the people in turn gave him their + absolute confidence. His courage, his fortitude, his patience, his + hopefulness, were sorely tried but never exhausted. + </p> + <p> + He was true as steel to his generals, but had frequent occasion to change + them, as he found them inadequate. This serious and painful duty rested + wholly upon him, and was perhaps his most important function as + Commander-in-Chief; but when, at last, he recognized in General Grant the + master of the situation, the man who could and would bring the war to a + triumphant end, he gave it all over to him and upheld him with all his + might. Amid all the pressure and distress that the burdens of office + brought upon him, his unfailing sense of humor saved him; probably it made + it possible for him to live under the burden. He had always been the great + story-teller of the West, and he used and cultivated this faculty to + relieve the weight of the load he bore. + </p> + <p> + It enabled him to keep the wonderful record of never having lost his + temper, no matter what agony he had to bear. A whole night might be spent + in recounting the stories of his wit, humor, and harmless sarcasm. But I + will recall only two of his sayings, both about General Grant, who always + found plenty of enemies and critics to urge the President to oust him from + his command. One, I am sure, will interest all Scotchmen. They repeated + with malicious intent the gossip that Grant drank. "What does he drink?" + asked Lincoln. "Whiskey," was, of course, the answer; doubtless you can + guess the brand. "Well," said the President, "just find out what + particular kind he uses and I'll send a barrel to each of my other + generals." The other must be as pleasing to the British as to the American + ear. When pressed again on other grounds to get rid of Grant, he declared, + "I can't spare that man, he fights!" + </p> + <p> + He was tender-hearted to a fault, and never could resist the appeals of + wives and mothers of soldiers who had got into trouble and were under + sentence of death for their offences. His Secretary of War and other + officials complained that they never could get deserters shot. As surely + as the women of the culprit's family could get at him he always gave way. + Certainly you will all appreciate his exquisite sympathy with the + suffering relatives of those who had fallen in battle. His heart bled with + theirs. Never was there a more gentle and tender utterance than his letter + to a mother who had given all her sons to her country, written at a time + when the angel of death had visited almost every household in the land, + and was already hovering over him. + </p> + <p> + "I have been shown," he says, "in the files of the War Department a + statement that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on + the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of + mine which should attempt to beguile you from your grief for a loss so + overwhelming but I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation + which may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray + that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and + leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and the lost, and the + solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon + the altar of freedom." + </p> + <p> + Hardly could your illustrious sovereign, from the depths of her queenly + and womanly heart, have spoken words more touching and tender to soothe + the stricken mothers of her own soldiers. + </p> + <p> + The Emancipation Proclamation, with which Mr. Lincoln delighted the + country and the world on the first of January, 1863, will doubtless secure + for him a foremost place in history among the philanthropists and + benefactors of the race, as it rescued, from hopeless and degrading + slavery, so many millions of his fellow-beings described in the law and + existing in fact as "chattels-personal, in the hands of their owners and + possessors, to all intents, constructions, and purposes whatsoever." + Rarely does the happy fortune come to one man to render such a service to + his kind—to proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the + inhabitants thereof. + </p> + <p> + Ideas rule the world, and never was there a more signal instance of this + triumph of an idea than here. William Lloyd Garrison, who thirty years + before had begun his crusade for the abolition of slavery, and had lived + to see this glorious and unexpected consummation of the hopeless cause to + which he had devoted his life, well described the proclamation as a "great + historic event, sublime in its magnitude, momentous and beneficent in its + far-reaching consequences, and eminently just and right alike to the + oppressor and the oppressed." + </p> + <p> + Lincoln had always been heart and soul opposed to slavery. Tradition says + that on the trip on the flatboat to New Orleans he formed his first and + last opinion of slavery at the sight of negroes chained and scourged, and + that then and there the iron entered into his soul. No boy could grow to + manhood in those days as a poor white in Kentucky and Indiana, in close + contact with slavery or in its neighborhood, without a growing + consciousness of its blighting effects on free labor, as well as of its + frightful injustice and cruelty. In the Legislature of Illinois, where the + public sentiment was all for upholding the institution and violently + against every movement for its abolition or restriction, upon the passage + of resolutions to that effect he had the courage with one companion to put + on record his protest, "believing that the institution of slavery is + founded both in injustice and bad policy." No great demonstration of + courage, you will say; but that was at a time when Garrison, for his + abolition utterances, had been dragged by an angry mob through the streets + of Boston with a rope around his body, and in the very year that Lovejoy + in the same State of Illinois was slain by rioters while defending his + press, from which he had printed antislavery appeals. + </p> + <p> + In Congress he brought in a bill for gradual abolition in the District of + Columbia, with compensation to the owners, for until they raised + treasonable hands against the life of the nation he always maintained that + the property of the slaveholders, into which they had come by two + centuries of descent, without fault on their part, ought not to be taken + away from them without just compensation. He used to say that, one way or + another, he had voted forty-two times for the Wilmot Proviso, which Mr. + Wilmot of Pennsylvania moved as an addition to every bill which affected + United States territory, "that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude + shall ever exist in any part of the said territory," and it is evident + that his condemnation of the system, on moral grounds as a crime against + the human race, and on political grounds as a cancer that was sapping the + vitals of the nation, and must master its whole being or be itself + extirpated, grew steadily upon him until it culminated in his great + speeches in the Illinois debate. + </p> + <p> + By the mere election of Lincoln to the Presidency, the further extension + of slavery into the Territories was rendered forever impossible—Vox + populi, vox Dei. Revolutions never go backward, and when founded on a + great moral sentiment stirring the heart of an indignant people their + edicts are irresistible and final. Had the slave power acquiesced in that + election, had the Southern States remained under the Constitution and + within the Union, and relied upon their constitutional and legal rights, + their favorite institution, immoral as it was, blighting and fatal as it + was, might have endured for another century. The great party that had + elected him, unalterably determined against its extension, was + nevertheless pledged not to interfere with its continuance in the States + where it already existed. Of course, when new regions were forever closed + against it, from its very nature it must have begun to shrink and to + dwindle; and probably gradual and compensated emancipation, which appealed + very strongly to the new President's sense of justice and expediency, + would, in the progress of time, by a reversion to the ideas of the + founders of the Republic, have found a safe outlet for both masters and + slaves. But whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad, and when + seven States, afterwards increased to eleven, openly seceded from the + Union, when they declared and began the war upon the nation, and + challenged its mighty power to the desperate and protracted struggle for + its life, and for the maintenance of its authority as a nation over its + territory, they gave to Lincoln and to freedom the sublime opportunity of + history. + </p> + <p> + In his first inaugural address, when as yet not a drop of precious blood + had been shed, while he held out to them the olive branch in one hand, in + the other he presented the guarantees of the Constitution, and after + reciting the emphatic resolution of the convention that nominated him, + that the maintenance inviolate of the "rights of the States, and + especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic + institutions according to its own judgment exclusively, is essential to + that balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our + political fabric depend," he reiterated this sentiment, and declared, with + no mental reservation, "that all the protection which, consistently with + the Constitution and the laws, can be given, will be cheerfully given to + all the States when lawfully demanded for whatever cause as cheerfully to + one section as to another." + </p> + <p> + When, however, these magnanimous overtures for peace and reunion were + rejected; when the seceding States defied the Constitution and every + clause and principle of it; when they persisted in staying out of the + Union from which they had seceded, and proceeded to carve out of its + territory a new and hostile empire based on slavery; when they flew at the + throat of the nation and plunged it into the bloodiest war of the + nineteenth century the tables were turned, and the belief gradually came + to the mind of the President that if the Rebellion was not soon subdued by + force of arms, if the war must be fought out to the bitter end, then to + reach that end the salvation of the nation itself might require the + destruction of slavery wherever it existed; that if the war was to + continue on one side for Disunion, for no other purpose than to preserve + slavery, it must continue on the other side for the Union, to destroy + slavery. + </p> + <p> + As he said, "Events control me; I cannot control events," and as the + dreadful war progressed and became more deadly and dangerous, the + unalterable conviction was forced upon him that, in order that the + frightful sacrifice of life and treasure on both sides might not be all in + vain, it had become his duty as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, as a + necessary war measure, to strike a blow at the Rebellion which, all others + failing, would inevitably lead to its annihilation, by annihilating the + very thing for which it was contending. His own words are the best: + </p> + <p> + "I understood that my oath to preserve the Constitution to the best of my + ability imposed upon me the duty of preserving by every indispensable + means that government—that nation—of which that Constitution + was the organic law. Was it possible to lose the nation and yet preserve + the Constitution? By general law, life and limb must be protected, yet + often a limb must be amputated to save a life; but a life is never wisely + given to save a limb. I felt that measures otherwise unconstitutional + might become lawful by becoming indispensable to the preservation of the + Constitution through the preservation of the nation. Right or wrong, I + assumed this ground and now avow it. I could not feel that to the best of + my ability I had ever tried to preserve the Constitution if to save + slavery or any minor matter I should permit the wreck of government, + country, and Constitution all together." + </p> + <p> + And so, at last, when in his judgment the indispensable necessity had + come, he struck the fatal blow, and signed the proclamation which has made + his name immortal. By it, the President, as Commander-in-Chief in time of + actual armed rebellion, and as a fit and necessary war measure for + suppressing the rebellion, proclaimed all persons held as slaves in the + States and parts of States then in rebellion to be thenceforward free, and + declared that the executive, with the army and navy, would recognize and + maintain their freedom. + </p> + <p> + In the other great steps of the government, which led to the triumphant + prosecution of the war, he necessarily shared the responsibility and the + credit with the great statesmen who stayed up his hands in his cabinet, + with Seward, Chase and Stanton, and the rest,—and with his generals + and admirals, his soldiers and sailors, but this great act was absolutely + his own. The conception and execution were exclusively his. He laid it + before his cabinet as a measure on which his mind was made up and could + not be changed, asking them only for suggestions as to details. He chose + the time and the circumstances under which the Emancipation should be + proclaimed and when it should take effect. + </p> + <p> + It came not an hour too soon; but public opinion in the North would not + have sustained it earlier. In the first eighteen months of the war its + ravages had extended from the Atlantic to beyond the Mississippi. Many + victories in the West had been balanced and paralyzed by inaction and + disasters in Virginia, only partially redeemed by the bloody and + indecisive battle of Antietam; a reaction had set in from the general + enthusiasm which had swept the Northern States after the assault upon + Sumter. It could not truly be said that they had lost heart, but faction + was raising its head. Heard through the land like the blast of a bugle, + the proclamation rallied the patriotism of the country to fresh sacrifices + and renewed ardor. It was a step that could not be revoked. It relieved + the conscience of the nation from an incubus that had oppressed it from + its birth. The United States were rescued from the false predicament in + which they had been from the beginning, and the great popular heart leaped + with new enthusiasm for "Liberty and Union, henceforth and forever, one + and inseparable." It brought not only moral but material support to the + cause of the government, for within two years 120,000 colored troops were + enlisted in the military service and following the national flag, + supported by all the loyalty of the North, and led by its choicest + spirits. One mother said, when her son was offered the command of the + first colored regiment, "If he accepts it I shall be as proud as if I had + heard that he was shot." He was shot heading a gallant charge of his + regiment.... The Confederates replied to a request of his friends for his + body that they had "buried him under a layer of his niggers...;" but that + mother has lived to enjoy thirty-six years of his glory, and Boston has + erected its noblest monument to his memory. + </p> + <p> + The effect of the proclamation upon the actual progress of the war was not + immediate, but wherever the Federal armies advanced they carried freedom + with them, and when the summer came round the new spirit and force which + had animated the heart of the government and people were manifest. In the + first week of July the decisive battle of Gettysburg turned the tide of + war, and the fall of Vicksburg made the great river free from its source + to the Gulf. + </p> + <p> + On foreign nations the influence of the proclamation and of these new + victories was of great importance. In those days, when there was no cable, + it was not easy for foreign observers to appreciate what was really going + on; they could not see clearly the true state of affairs, as in the last + year of the nineteenth century we have been able, by our new electric + vision, to watch every event at the antipodes and observe its effect. The + Rebel emissaries, sent over to solicit intervention, spared no pains to + impress upon the minds of public and private men and upon the press their + own views of the character of the contest. The prospects of the + Confederacy were always better abroad than at home. The stock markets of + the world gambled upon its chances, and its bonds at one time were high in + favor. + </p> + <p> + Such ideas as these were seriously held: that the North was fighting for + empire and the South for independence; that the Southern States, instead + of being the grossest oligarchies, essentially despotisms, founded on the + right of one man to appropriate the fruit of other men's toil and to + exclude them from equal rights, were real republics, feebler to be sure + than their Northern rivals, but representing the same idea of freedom, and + that the mighty strength of the nation was being put forth to crush them; + that Jefferson Davis and the Southern leaders had created a nation; that + the republican experiment had failed and the Union had ceased to exist. + But the crowning argument to foreign minds was that it was an utter + impossibility for the government to win in the contest; that the success + of the Southern States, so far as separation was concerned, was as certain + as any event yet future and contingent could be; that the subjugation of + the South by the North, even if it could be accomplished, would prove a + calamity to the United States and the world, and especially calamitous to + the negro race; and that such a victory would necessarily leave the people + of the South for many generations cherishing deadly hostility against the + government and the North, and plotting always to recover their + independence. + </p> + <p> + When Lincoln issued his proclamation he knew that all these ideas were + founded in error; that the national resources were inexhaustible; that the + government could and would win, and that if slavery were once finally + disposed of, the only cause of difference being out of the way, the North + and South would come together again, and by and by be as good friends as + ever. In many quarters abroad the proclamation was welcomed with + enthusiasm by the friends of America; but I think the demonstrations in + its favor that brought more gladness to Lincoln's heart than any other + were the meetings held in the manufacturing centres, by the very + operatives upon whom the war bore the hardest, expressing the most + enthusiastic sympathy with the proclamation, while they bore with heroic + fortitude the grievous privations which the war entailed upon them. Mr. + Lincoln's expectation when he announced to the world that all slaves in + all States then in rebellion were set free must have been that the avowed + position of his government, that the continuance of the war now meant the + annihilation of slavery, would make intervention impossible for any + foreign nation whose people were lovers of liberty—and so the result + proved. + </p> + <p> + The growth and development of Lincoln's mental power and moral force, of + his intense and magnetic personality, after the vast responsibilities of + government were thrown upon him at the age of fifty-two, furnish a rare + and striking illustration of the marvellous capacity and adaptability of + the human intellect—of the sound mind in the sound body. He came to + the discharge of the great duties of the Presidency with absolutely no + experience in the administration of government, or of the vastly varied + and complicated questions of foreign and domestic policy which immediately + arose, and continued to press upon him during the rest of his life; but he + mastered each as it came, apparently with the facility of a trained and + experienced ruler. As Clarendon said of Cromwell, "His parts seemed to be + raised by the demands of great station." His life through it all was one + of intense labor, anxiety, and distress, without one hour of peaceful + repose from first to last. But he rose to every occasion. He led public + opinion, but did not march so far in advance of it as to fail of its + effective support in every great emergency. He knew the heart and thought + of the people, as no man not in constant and absolute sympathy with them + could have known it, and so holding their confidence, he triumphed through + and with them. Not only was there this steady growth of intellect, but the + infinite delicacy of his nature and its capacity for refinement developed + also, as exhibited in the purity and perfection of his language and style + of speech. The rough backwoodsman, who had never seen the inside of a + university, became in the end, by self-training and the exercise of his + own powers of mind, heart, and soul, a master of style, and some of his + utterances will rank with the best, the most perfectly adapted to the + occasion which produced them. + </p> + <p> + Have you time to listen to his two-minutes speech at Gettysburg, at the + dedication of the Soldiers' Cemetery? His whole soul was in it: + </p> + <p> + "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this + continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the + proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great + civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so + dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. + We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place + for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is + altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger + sense we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow + this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have + consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will + little note, nor long remember, what we say here but it can never forget + what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here + to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly + advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task + remaining before us that from these honored dead we take increased + devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of + devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have + died in vain—that this nation under God shall have a new birth of + freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, and for + the people shall not perish from the earth." + </p> + <p> + He lived to see his work indorsed by an overwhelming majority of his + countrymen. In his second inaugural address, pronounced just forty days + before his death, there is a single passage which well displays his + indomitable will and at the same time his deep religious feeling, his + sublime charity to the enemies of his country, and his broad and catholic + humanity: + </p> + <p> + "If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offences which + in the Providence of God must needs come, but which, having continued + through the appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to + both North and South this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom + the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine + attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? + Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war + may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the + wealth piled by the bondsmen's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited + toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash + shall be paid with another drawn by the sword, as was said three thousand + years ago, so still it must be said, 'the judgments of the Lord are true + and righteous altogether.' + </p> + <p> + "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right + as God gives us to see the right let us strive on to finish the work we + are in to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have + borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan to do all which may + achieve, and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with + all nations." + </p> + <p> + His prayer was answered. The forty days of life that remained to him were + crowned with great historic events. He lived to see his Proclamation of + Emancipation embodied in an amendment of the Constitution, adopted by + Congress, and submitted to the States for ratification. The mighty scourge + of war did speedily pass away, for it was given him to witness the + surrender of the Rebel army and the fall of their capital, and the starry + flag that he loved waving in triumph over the national soil. When he died + by the madman's hand in the supreme hour of victory, the vanquished lost + their best friend, and the human race one of its noblest examples; and all + the friends of freedom and justice, in whose cause he lived and died, + joined hands as mourners at his grave. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WRITINGS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 1832-1843 + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1832 + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF SANGAMON COUNTY. + </h2> + <h3> + March 9, 1832. + </h3> + <p> + FELLOW CITIZENS:—Having become a candidate for the honorable office + of one of your Representatives in the next General Assembly of this State, + in according with an established custom and the principles of true + Republicanism it becomes my duty to make known to you, the people whom I + propose to represent, my sentiments with regard to local affairs. + </p> + <p> + Time and experience have verified to a demonstration the public utility of + internal improvements. That the poorest and most thinly populated + countries would be greatly benefited by the opening of good roads, and in + the clearing of navigable streams within their limits, is what no person + will deny. Yet it is folly to undertake works of this or any other without + first knowing that we are able to finish them—as half-finished work + generally proves to be labor lost. There cannot justly be any objection to + having railroads and canals, any more than to other good things, provided + they cost nothing. The only objection is to paying for them; and the + objection arises from the want of ability to pay. + </p> + <p> + With respect to the County of Sangamon, some.... + </p> + <p> + Yet, however desirable an object the construction of a railroad through + our country may be, however high our imaginations may be heated at + thoughts of it,—there is always a heart-appalling shock accompanying + the amount of its cost, which forces us to shrink from our pleasing + anticipations. The probable cost of this contemplated railroad is + estimated at $290,000; the bare statement of which, in my opinion, is + sufficient to justify the belief that the improvement of the Sangamon + River is an object much better suited to our infant resources....... + </p> + <p> + What the cost of this work would be, I am unable to say. It is probable, + however, that it would not be greater than is common to streams of the + same length. Finally, I believe the improvement of the Sangamon River to + be vastly important and highly desirable to the people of the county; and, + if elected, any measure in the Legislature having this for its object, + which may appear judicious, will meet my approbation and receive my + support. + </p> + <p> + It appears that the practice of loaning money at exorbitant rates of + interest has already been opened as a field for discussion; so I suppose I + may enter upon it without claiming the honor or risking the danger which + may await its first explorer. It seems as though we are never to have an + end to this baneful and corroding system, acting almost as prejudicially + to the general interests of the community as a direct tax of several + thousand dollars annually laid on each county for the benefit of a few + individuals only, unless there be a law made fixing the limits of usury. A + law for this purpose, I am of opinion, may be made without materially + injuring any class of people. In cases of extreme necessity, there could + always be means found to cheat the law; while in all other cases it would + have its intended effect. I would favor the passage of a law on this + subject which might not be very easily evaded. Let it be such that the + labor and difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of + greatest necessity. + </p> + <p> + Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system + respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject + which we as a people can be engaged in. That every man may receive at + least a moderate education, and thereby be enabled to read the histories + of his own and other countries, by which he may duly appreciate the value + of our free institutions, appears to be an object of vital importance, + even on this account alone, to say nothing of the advantages and + satisfaction to be derived from all being able to read the Scriptures, and + other works both of a religious and moral nature, for themselves. + </p> + <p> + For my part, I desire to see the time when education—and by its + means, morality, sobriety, enterprise, and industry—shall become + much more general than at present, and should be gratified to have it in + my power to contribute something to the advancement of any measure which + might have a tendency to accelerate that happy period. + </p> + <p> + With regard to existing laws, some alterations are thought to be + necessary. Many respectable men have suggested that our estray laws, the + law respecting the issuing of executions, the road law, and some others, + are deficient in their present form, and require alterations. But, + considering the great probability that the framers of those laws were + wiser than myself, I should prefer not meddling with them, unless they + were first attacked by others; in which case I should feel it both a + privilege and a duty to take that stand which, in my view, might tend most + to the advancement of justice. + </p> + <p> + But, fellow-citizens, I shall conclude. Considering the great degree of + modesty which should always attend youth, it is probable I have already + been more presuming than becomes me. However, upon the subjects of which I + have treated, I have spoken as I have thought. I may be wrong in regard to + any or all of them; but, holding it a sound maxim that it is better only + sometimes to be right than at all times to be wrong, so soon as I discover + my opinions to be erroneous, I shall be ready to renounce them. + </p> + <p> + Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or + not, I can say, for one, that I have no other so great as that of being + truly esteemed of my fellow-men, by rendering myself worthy of their + esteem. How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition is yet to be + developed. I am young, and unknown to many of you. I was born, and have + ever remained, in the most humble walks of life. I have no wealthy or + popular relations or friends to recommend me. My case is thrown + exclusively upon the independent voters of the county; and, if elected, + they will have conferred a favor upon me for which I shall be unremitting + in my labors to compensate. But, if the good people in their wisdom shall + see fit to keep me in the background, I have been too familiar with + disappointments to be very much chagrined. + </p> + <p> + Your friend and fellow-citizen, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + New Salem, March 9, 1832. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1833 + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO E. C. BLANKENSHIP. + </h2> + <h3> + NEW SALEM, Aug. 10, 1833 + </h3> + <p> + E. C. BLANKENSHIP. + </p> + <p> + Dear Sir:—In regard to the time David Rankin served the enclosed + discharge shows correctly—as well as I can recollect—having no + writing to refer. The transfer of Rankin from my company occurred as + follows: Rankin having lost his horse at Dixon's ferry and having + acquaintance in one of the foot companies who were going down the river + was desirous to go with them, and one Galishen being an acquaintance of + mine and belonging to the company in which Rankin wished to go wished to + leave it and join mine, this being the case it was agreed that they should + exchange places and answer to each other's names—as it was expected + we all would be discharged in very few days. As to a blanket—I have + no knowledge of Rankin ever getting any. The above embraces all the facts + now in my recollection which are pertinent to the case. + </p> + <p> + I shall take pleasure in giving any further information in my power should + you call on me. + </p> + <p> + Your friend, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR POSTAGE RECEIPT + </h2> + <h3> + TO Mr. SPEARS. + </h3> + <p> + Mr. SPEARS: + </p> + <p> + At your request I send you a receipt for the postage on your paper. I am + somewhat surprised at your request. I will, however, comply with it. The + law requires newspaper postage to be paid in advance, and now that I have + waited a full year you choose to wound my feelings by insinuating that + unless you get a receipt I will probably make you pay it again. + </p> + <p> + Respectfully, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1836 + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ANNOUNCEMENT OF POLITICAL VIEWS. + </h2> + <h3> + New Salem, June 13, 1836. + </h3> + <p> + TO THE EDITOR OF THE "JOURNAL"—In your paper of last Saturday I see + a communication, over the signature of "Many Voters," in which the + candidates who are announced in the Journal are called upon to "show their + hands." Agreed. Here's mine. + </p> + <p> + I go for all sharing the privileges of the government who assist in + bearing its burdens. Consequently, I go for admitting all whites to the + right of suffrage who pay taxes or bear arms (by no means excluding + females). + </p> + <p> + If elected, I shall consider the whole people of Sangamon my constituents, + as well those that oppose as those that support me. + </p> + <p> + While acting as their representative, I shall be governed by their will on + all subjects upon which I have the means of knowing what their will is; + and upon all others I shall do what my own judgment teaches me will best + advance their interests. Whether elected or not, I go for distributing the + proceeds of the sales of the public lands to the several States, to enable + our State, in common with others, to dig canals and construct railroads + without borrowing money and paying the interest on it. If alive on the + first Monday in November, I shall vote for Hugh L. White for President. + </p> + <p> + Very respectfully, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + RESPONSE TO POLITICAL SMEAR + </h2> + <h3> + TO ROBERT ALLEN + </h3> + <p> + New Salem, June 21, 1836 + </p> + <p> + DEAR COLONEL:—I am told that during my absence last week you passed + through this place, and stated publicly that you were in possession of a + fact or facts which, if known to the public, would entirely destroy the + prospects of N. W. Edwards and myself at the ensuing election; but that, + through favor to us, you should forbear to divulge them. No one has needed + favors more than I, and, generally, few have been less unwilling to accept + them; but in this case favor to me would be injustice to the public, and + therefore I must beg your pardon for declining it. That I once had the + confidence of the people of Sangamon, is sufficiently evident; and if I + have since done anything, either by design or misadventure, which if known + would subject me to a forfeiture of that confidence, he that knows of that + thing, and conceals it, is a traitor to his country's interest. + </p> + <p> + I find myself wholly unable to form any conjecture of what fact or facts, + real or supposed, you spoke; but my opinion of your veracity will not + permit me for a moment to doubt that you at least believed what you said. + I am flattered with the personal regard you manifested for me; but I do + hope that, on more mature reflection, you will view the public interest as + a paramount consideration, and therefore determine to let the worst come. + I here assure you that the candid statement of facts on your part, however + low it may sink me, shall never break the tie of personal friendship + between us. I wish an answer to this, and you are at liberty to publish + both, if you choose. + </p> + <p> + Very respectfully, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO MISS MARY OWENS. + </h2> + <h3> + VANDALIA, December 13, 1836. + </h3> + <p> + MARY:—I have been sick ever since my arrival, or I should have + written sooner. It is but little difference, however, as I have very + little even yet to write. And more, the longer I can avoid the + mortification of looking in the post-office for your letter and not + finding it, the better. You see I am mad about that old letter yet. I + don't like very well to risk you again. I'll try you once more, anyhow. + </p> + <p> + The new State House is not yet finished, and consequently the Legislature + is doing little or nothing. The governor delivered an inflammatory + political message, and it is expected there will be some sparring between + the parties about it as soon as the two Houses get to business. Taylor + delivered up his petition for the new county to one of our members this + morning. I am told he despairs of its success, on account of all the + members from Morgan County opposing it. There are names enough on the + petition, I think, to justify the members from our county in going for it; + but if the members from Morgan oppose it, which they say they will, the + chance will be bad. + </p> + <p> + Our chance to take the seat of government to Springfield is better than I + expected. An internal-improvement convention was held there since we met, + which recommended a loan of several millions of dollars, on the faith of + the State, to construct railroads. Some of the Legislature are for it, and + some against it; which has the majority I cannot tell. There is great + strife and struggling for the office of the United States Senator here at + this time. It is probable we shall ease their pains in a few days. The + opposition men have no candidate of their own, and consequently they will + smile as complacently at the angry snarl of the contending Van Buren + candidates and their respective friends as the Christian does at Satan's + rage. You recollect that I mentioned at the outset of this letter that I + had been unwell. That is the fact, though I believe I am about well now; + but that, with other things I cannot account for, have conspired, and have + gotten my spirits so low that I feel that I would rather be any place in + the world than here. I really cannot endure the thought of staying here + ten weeks. Write back as soon as you get this, and, if possible, say + something that will please me, for really I have not been pleased since I + left you. This letter is so dry and stupid that I am ashamed to send it, + but with my present feelings I cannot do any better. + </p> + <p> + Give my best respects to Mr. and Mrs. Able and family. + </p> + <p> + Your friend, LINCOLN + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1837 + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SPEECH IN ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. + </h2> + <h3> + January [?], 1837 + </h3> + <p> + Mr. CHAIRMAN:—Lest I should fall into the too common error of being + mistaken in regard to which side I design to be upon, I shall make it my + first care to remove all doubt on that point, by declaring that I am + opposed to the resolution under consideration, in toto. Before I proceed + to the body of the subject, I will further remark, that it is not without + a considerable degree of apprehension that I venture to cross the track of + the gentleman from Coles [Mr. Linder]. Indeed, I do not believe I could + muster a sufficiency of courage to come in contact with that gentleman, + were it not for the fact that he, some days since, most graciously + condescended to assure us that he would never be found wasting ammunition + on small game. On the same fortunate occasion, he further gave us to + understand, that he regarded himself as being decidedly the superior of + our common friend from Randolph [Mr. Shields]; and feeling, as I really + do, that I, to say the most of myself, am nothing more than the peer of + our friend from Randolph, I shall regard the gentleman from Coles as + decidedly my superior also, and consequently, in the course of what I + shall have to say, whenever I shall have occasion to allude to that + gentleman, I shall endeavor to adopt that kind of court language which I + understand to be due to decided superiority. In one faculty, at least, + there can be no dispute of the gentleman's superiority over me and most + other men, and that is, the faculty of entangling a subject, so that + neither himself, or any other man, can find head or tail to it. Here he + has introduced a resolution embracing ninety-nine printed lines across + common writing paper, and yet more than one half of his opening speech has + been made upon subjects about which there is not one word said in his + resolution. + </p> + <p> + Though his resolution embraces nothing in regard to the constitutionality + of the Bank, much of what he has said has been with a view to make the + impression that it was unconstitutional in its inception. Now, although I + am satisfied that an ample field may be found within the pale of the + resolution, at least for small game, yet, as the gentleman has traveled + out of it, I feel that I may, with all due humility, venture to follow + him. The gentleman has discovered that some gentleman at Washington city + has been upon the very eve of deciding our Bank unconstitutional, and that + he would probably have completed his very authentic decision, had not some + one of the Bank officers placed his hand upon his mouth, and begged him to + withhold it. The fact that the individuals composing our Supreme Court + have, in an official capacity, decided in favor of the constitutionality + of the Bank, would, in my mind, seem a sufficient answer to this. It is a + fact known to all, that the members of the Supreme Court, together with + the Governor, form a Council of Revision, and that this Council approved + this Bank charter. I ask, then, if the extra-judicial decision not quite + but almost made by the gentleman at Washington, before whom, by the way, + the question of the constitutionality of our Bank never has, nor never can + come—is to be taken as paramount to a decision officially made by + that tribunal, by which, and which alone, the constitutionality of the + Bank can ever be settled? But, aside from this view of the subject, I + would ask, if the committee which this resolution proposes to appoint are + to examine into the Constitutionality of the Bank? Are they to be clothed + with power to send for persons and papers, for this object? And after they + have found the bank to be unconstitutional, and decided it so, how are + they to enforce their decision? What will their decision amount to? They + cannot compel the Bank to cease operations, or to change the course of its + operations. What good, then, can their labors result in? Certainly none. + </p> + <p> + The gentleman asks, if we, without an examination, shall, by giving the + State deposits to the Bank, and by taking the stock reserved for the + State, legalize its former misconduct. Now I do not pretend to possess + sufficient legal knowledge to decide whether a legislative enactment + proposing to, and accepting from, the Bank, certain terms, would have the + effect to legalize or wipe out its former errors, or not; but I can assure + the gentleman, if such should be the effect, he has already got behind the + settlement of accounts; for it is well known to all, that the Legislature, + at its last session, passed a supplemental Bank charter, which the Bank + has since accepted, and which, according to his doctrine, has legalized + all the alleged violations of its original charter in the distribution of + its stock. + </p> + <p> + I now proceed to the resolution. By examination it will be found that the + first thirty-three lines, being precisely one third of the whole, relate + exclusively to the distribution of the stock by the commissioners + appointed by the State. Now, Sir, it is clear that no question can arise + on this portion of the resolution, except a question between capitalists + in regard to the ownership of stock. Some gentlemen have their stock in + their hands, while others, who have more money than they know what to do + with, want it; and this, and this alone, is the question, to settle which + we are called on to squander thousands of the people's money. What + interest, let me ask, have the people in the settlement of this question? + What difference is it to them whether the stock is owned by Judge Smith or + Sam Wiggins? If any gentleman be entitled to stock in the Bank, which he + is kept out of possession of by others, let him assert his right in the + Supreme Court, and let him or his antagonist, whichever may be found in + the wrong, pay the costs of suit. It is an old maxim, and a very sound + one, that he that dances should always pay the fiddler. Now, Sir, in the + present case, if any gentlemen, whose money is a burden to them, choose to + lead off a dance, I am decidedly opposed to the people's money being used + to pay the fiddler. No one can doubt that the examination proposed by this + resolution must cost the State some ten or twelve thousand dollars; and + all this to settle a question in which the people have no interest, and + about which they care nothing. These capitalists generally act + harmoniously and in concert, to fleece the people, and now that they have + got into a quarrel with themselves we are called upon to appropriate the + people's money to settle the quarrel. + </p> + <p> + I leave this part of the resolution and proceed to the remainder. It will + be found that no charge in the remaining part of the resolution, if true, + amounts to the violation of the Bank charter, except one, which I will + notice in due time. It might seem quite sufficient to say no more upon any + of these charges or insinuations than enough to show they are not + violations of the charter; yet, as they are ingeniously framed and + handled, with a view to deceive and mislead, I will notice in their order + all the most prominent of them. The first of these is in relation to a + connection between our Bank and several banking institutions in other + States. Admitting this connection to exist, I should like to see the + gentleman from Coles, or any other gentleman, undertake to show that there + is any harm in it. What can there be in such a connection, that the people + of Illinois are willing to pay their money to get a peep into? By a + reference to the tenth section of the Bank charter, any gentleman can see + that the framers of the act contemplated the holding of stock in the + institutions of other corporations. Why, then, is it, when neither law nor + justice forbids it, that we are asked to spend our time and money in + inquiring into its truth? + </p> + <p> + The next charge, in the order of time, is, that some officer, director, + clerk or servant of the Bank, has been required to take an oath of secrecy + in relation to the affairs of said Bank. Now, I do not know whether this + be true or false—neither do I believe any honest man cares. I know + that the seventh section of the charter expressly guarantees to the Bank + the right of making, under certain restrictions, such by-laws as it may + think fit; and I further know that the requiring an oath of secrecy would + not transcend those restrictions. What, then, if the Bank has chosen to + exercise this right? Whom can it injure? Does not every merchant have his + secret mark? and who is ever silly enough to complain of it? I presume if + the Bank does require any such oath of secrecy, it is done through a + motive of delicacy to those individuals who deal with it. Why, Sir, not + many days since, one gentleman upon this floor, who, by the way, I have no + doubt is now ready to join this hue and cry against the Bank, indulged in + a philippic against one of the Bank officials, because, as he said, he had + divulged a secret. + </p> + <p> + Immediately following this last charge, there are several insinuations in + the resolution, which are too silly to require any sort of notice, were it + not for the fact that they conclude by saying, "to the great injury of the + people at large." In answer to this I would say that it is strange enough, + that the people are suffering these "great injuries," and yet are not + sensible of it! Singular indeed that the people should be writhing under + oppression and injury, and yet not one among them to be found to raise the + voice of complaint. If the Bank be inflicting injury upon the people, why + is it that not a single petition is presented to this body on the subject? + If the Bank really be a grievance, why is it that no one of the real + people is found to ask redress of it? The truth is, no such oppression + exists. If it did, our people would groan with memorials and petitions, + and we would not be permitted to rest day or night, till we had put it + down. The people know their rights, and they are never slow to assert and + maintain them, when they are invaded. Let them call for an investigation, + and I shall ever stand ready to respond to the call. But they have made no + such call. I make the assertion boldly, and without fear of contradiction, + that no man, who does not hold an office, or does not aspire to one, has + ever found any fault of the Bank. It has doubled the prices of the + products of their farms, and filled their pockets with a sound circulating + medium, and they are all well pleased with its operations. No, Sir, it is + the politician who is the first to sound the alarm (which, by the way, is + a false one.) It is he, who, by these unholy means, is endeavoring to blow + up a storm that he may ride upon and direct. It is he, and he alone, that + here proposes to spend thousands of the people's public treasure, for no + other advantage to them than to make valueless in their pockets the reward + of their industry. Mr. Chairman, this work is exclusively the work of + politicians; a set of men who have interests aside from the interests of + the people, and who, to say the most of them, are, taken as a mass, at + least one long step removed from honest men. I say this with the greater + freedom, because, being a politician myself, none can regard it as + personal. + </p> + <p> + Again, it is charged, or rather insinuated, that officers of the Bank have + loaned money at usurious rates of interest. Suppose this to be true, are + we to send a committee of this House to inquire into it? Suppose the + committee should find it true, can they redress the injured individuals? + Assuredly not. If any individual had been injured in this way, is there + not an ample remedy to be found in the laws of the land? Does the + gentleman from Coles know that there is a statute standing in full force + making it highly penal for an individual to loan money at a higher rate of + interest than twelve per cent? If he does not he is too ignorant to be + placed at the head of the committee which his resolution purposes and if + he does, his neglect to mention it shows him to be too uncandid to merit + the respect or confidence of any one. + </p> + <p> + But besides all this, if the Bank were struck from existence, could not + the owners of the capital still loan it usuriously, as well as now? + whatever the Bank, or its officers, may have done, I know that usurious + transactions were much more frequent and enormous before the commencement + of its operations than they have ever been since. + </p> + <p> + The next insinuation is, that the Bank has refused specie payments. This, + if true is a violation of the charter. But there is not the least + probability of its truth; because, if such had been the fact, the + individual to whom payment was refused would have had an interest in + making it public, by suing for the damages to which the charter entitles + him. Yet no such thing has been done; and the strong presumption is, that + the insinuation is false and groundless. + </p> + <p> + From this to the end of the resolution, there is nothing that merits + attention—I therefore drop the particular examination of it. + </p> + <p> + By a general view of the resolution, it will be seen that a principal + object of the committee is to examine into, and ferret out, a mass of + corruption supposed to have been committed by the commissioners who + apportioned the stock of the Bank. I believe it is universally understood + and acknowledged that all men will ever act correctly unless they have a + motive to do otherwise. If this be true, we can only suppose that the + commissioners acted corruptly by also supposing that they were bribed to + do so. Taking this view of the subject, I would ask if the Bank is likely + to find it more difficult to bribe the committee of seven, which, we are + about to appoint, than it may have found it to bribe the commissioners? + </p> + <p> + (Here Mr. Linder called to order. The Chair decided that Mr. Lincoln was + not out of order. Mr. Linder appealed to the House, but, before the + question was put, withdrew his appeal, saying he preferred to let the + gentleman go on; he thought he would break his own neck. Mr. Lincoln + proceeded:) + </p> + <p> + Another gracious condescension! I acknowledge it with gratitude. I know I + was not out of order; and I know every sensible man in the House knows it. + I was not saying that the gentleman from Coles could be bribed, nor, on + the other hand, will I say he could not. In that particular I leave him + where I found him. I was only endeavoring to show that there was at least + as great a probability of any seven members that could be selected from + this House being bribed to act corruptly, as there was that the + twenty-four commissioners had been so bribed. By a reference to the ninth + section of the Bank charter, it will be seen that those commissioners were + John Tilson, Robert K. McLaughlin, Daniel Warm, A.G. S. Wight, John C. + Riley, W. H. Davidson, Edward M. Wilson, Edward L. Pierson, Robert R. + Green, Ezra Baker, Aquilla Wren, John Taylor, Samuel C. Christy, Edmund + Roberts, Benjamin Godfrey, Thomas Mather, A. M. Jenkins, W. Linn, W. S. + Gilman, Charles Prentice, Richard I. Hamilton, A.H. Buckner, W. F. + Thornton, and Edmund D. Taylor. + </p> + <p> + These are twenty-four of the most respectable men in the State. Probably + no twenty-four men could be selected in the State with whom the people are + better acquainted, or in whose honor and integrity they would more readily + place confidence. And I now repeat, that there is less probability that + those men have been bribed and corrupted, than that any seven men, or + rather any six men, that could be selected from the members of this House, + might be so bribed and corrupted, even though they were headed and led on + by "decided superiority" himself. + </p> + <p> + In all seriousness, I ask every reasonable man, if an issue be joined by + these twenty-four commissioners, on the one part, and any other seven men, + on the other part, and the whole depend upon the honor and integrity of + the contending parties, to which party would the greatest degree of credit + be due? Again: Another consideration is, that we have no right to make the + examination. What I shall say upon this head I design exclusively for the + law-loving and law-abiding part of the House. To those who claim + omnipotence for the Legislature, and who in the plenitude of their assumed + powers are disposed to disregard the Constitution, law, good faith, moral + right, and everything else, I have not a word to say. But to the + law-abiding part I say, examine the Bank charter, go examine the + Constitution, go examine the acts that the General Assembly of this State + has passed, and you will find just as much authority given in each and + every of them to compel the Bank to bring its coffers to this hall and to + pour their contents upon this floor, as to compel it to submit to this + examination which this resolution proposes. Why, Sir, the gentleman from + Coles, the mover of this resolution, very lately denied on this floor that + the Legislature had any right to repeal or otherwise meddle with its own + acts, when those acts were made in the nature of contracts, and had been + accepted and acted on by other parties. Now I ask if this resolution does + not propose, for this House alone, to do what he, but the other day, + denied the right of the whole Legislature to do? He must either abandon + the position he then took, or he must now vote against his own resolution. + It is no difference to me, and I presume but little to any one else, which + he does. + </p> + <p> + I am by no means the special advocate of the Bank. I have long thought + that it would be well for it to report its condition to the General + Assembly, and that cases might occur, when it might be proper to make an + examination of its affairs by a committee. Accordingly, during the last + session, while a bill supplemental to the Bank charter was pending before + the House, I offered an amendment to the same, in these words: "The said + corporation shall, at the next session of the General Assembly, and at + each subsequent General Session, during the existence of its charter, + report to the same the amount of debts due from said corporation; the + amount of debts due to the same; the amount of specie in its vaults, and + an account of all lands then owned by the same, and the amount for which + such lands have been taken; and moreover, if said corporation shall at any + time neglect or refuse to submit its books, papers, and all and everything + necessary for a full and fair examination of its affairs, to any person or + persons appointed by the General Assembly, for the purpose of making such + examination, the said corporation shall forfeit its charter." + </p> + <p> + This amendment was negatived by a vote of 34 to 15. Eleven of the 34 who + voted against it are now members of this House; and though it would be out + of order to call their names, I hope they will all recollect themselves, + and not vote for this examination to be made without authority, inasmuch + as they refused to receive the authority when it was in their power to do + so. + </p> + <p> + I have said that cases might occur, when an examination might be proper; + but I do not believe any such case has now occurred; and if it has, I + should still be opposed to making an examination without legal authority. + I am opposed to encouraging that lawless and mobocratic spirit, whether in + relation to the Bank or anything else, which is already abroad in the land + and is spreading with rapid and fearful impetuosity, to the ultimate + overthrow of every institution, of every moral principle, in which persons + and property have hitherto found security. + </p> + <p> + But supposing we had the authority, I would ask what good can result from + the examination? Can we declare the Bank unconstitutional, and compel it + to desist from the abuses of its power, provided we find such abuses to + exist? Can we repair the injuries which it may have done to individuals? + Most certainly we can do none of these things. Why then shall we spend the + public money in such employment? Oh, say the examiners, we can injure the + credit of the Bank, if nothing else, Please tell me, gentlemen, who will + suffer most by that? You cannot injure, to any extent, the stockholders. + They are men of wealth—of large capital; and consequently, beyond + the power of malice. But by injuring the credit of the Bank, you will + depreciate the value of its paper in the hands of the honest and + unsuspecting farmer and mechanic, and that is all you can do. But suppose + you could effect your whole purpose; suppose you could wipe the Bank from + existence, which is the grand ultimatum of the project, what would be the + consequence? why, Sir, we should spend several thousand dollars of the + public treasure in the operation, annihilate the currency of the State, + render valueless in the hands of our people that reward of their former + labors, and finally be once more under the comfortable obligation of + paying the Wiggins loan, principal and interest. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + OPPOSITION TO MOB-RULE + </h2> + <h3> + ADDRESS BEFORE THE YOUNG MEN'S LYCEUM OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS. + </h3> + <p> + January 27, 1837. + </p> + <p> + As a subject for the remarks of the evening, "The Perpetuation of our + Political Institutions" is selected. + </p> + <p> + In the great journal of things happening under the sun, we, the American + people, find our account running under date of the nineteenth century of + the Christian era. We find ourselves in the peaceful possession of the + fairest portion of the earth as regards extent of territory, fertility of + soil, and salubrity of climate. We find ourselves under the government of + a system of political institutions conducing more essentially to the ends + of civil and religious liberty than any of which the history of former + times tells us. We, when mounting the stage of existence, found ourselves + the legal inheritors of these fundamental blessings. We toiled not in the + acquirement or establishment of them; they are a legacy bequeathed us by a + once hardy, brave, and patriotic, but now lamented and departed, race of + ancestors. Theirs was the task (and nobly they performed it) to possess + themselves, and through themselves us, of this goodly land, and to uprear + upon its hills and its valleys a political edifice of liberty and equal + rights; it is ours only to transmit these—the former unprofaned by + the foot of an invader, the latter undecayed by the lapse of time and + untorn by usurpation—to the latest generation that fate shall permit + the world to know. This task gratitude to our fathers, justice to + ourselves, duty to posterity, and love for our species in general, all + imperatively require us faithfully to perform. + </p> + <p> + How then shall we perform it? At what point shall we expect the approach + of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some + transatlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? + Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined, with all the + treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest, with a + Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force take a drink from the Ohio + or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years. + </p> + <p> + At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer: If + it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. + If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As + a nation of freemen we must live through all time, or die by suicide. + </p> + <p> + I hope I am over-wary; but if I am not, there is even now something of ill + omen amongst us. I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades + the country—the growing disposition to substitute the wild and + furious passions in lieu of the sober judgment of courts, and the worse + than savage mobs for the executive ministers of justice. This disposition + is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, + though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth + and an insult to our intelligence to deny. Accounts of outrages committed + by mobs form the everyday news of the times. They have pervaded the + country from New England to Louisiana; they are neither peculiar to the + eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are + not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave + holding or the non-slave holding States. Alike they spring up among the + pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens + of the land of steady habits. Whatever then their cause may be, it is + common to the whole country. + </p> + <p> + It would be tedious as well as useless to recount the horrors of all of + them. Those happening in the State of Mississippi and at St. Louis are + perhaps the most dangerous in example and revolting to humanity. In the + Mississippi case they first commenced by hanging the regular gamblers—a + set of men certainly not following for a livelihood a very useful or very + honest occupation, but one which, so far from being forbidden by the laws, + was actually licensed by an act of the Legislature passed but a single + year before. Next, negroes suspected of conspiring to raise an + insurrection were caught up and hanged in all parts of the State; then, + white men supposed to be leagued with the negroes; and finally, strangers + from neighboring States, going thither on business, were in many instances + subjected to the same fate. Thus went on this process of hanging, from + gamblers to negroes, from negroes to white citizens, and from these to + strangers, till dead men were seen literally dangling from the boughs of + trees upon every roadside, and in numbers almost sufficient to rival the + native Spanish moss of the country as a drapery of the forest. + </p> + <p> + Turn then to that horror-striking scene at St. Louis. A single victim only + was sacrificed there. This story is very short, and is perhaps the most + highly tragic of anything of its length that has ever been witnessed in + real life. A mulatto man by the name of McIntosh was seized in the street, + dragged to the suburbs of the city, chained to a tree, and actually burned + to death; and all within a single hour from the time he had been a freeman + attending to his own business and at peace with the world. + </p> + <p> + Such are the effects of mob law, and such are the scenes becoming more and + more frequent in this land so lately famed for love of law and order, and + the stories of which have even now grown too familiar to attract anything + more than an idle remark. + </p> + <p> + But you are perhaps ready to ask, "What has this to do with the + perpetuation of our political institutions?" I answer, It has much to do + with it. Its direct consequences are, comparatively speaking, but a small + evil, and much of its danger consists in the proneness of our minds to + regard its direct as its only consequences. Abstractly considered, the + hanging of the gamblers at Vicksburg was of but little consequence. They + constitute a portion of population that is worse than useless in any + community; and their death, if no pernicious example be set by it, is + never matter of reasonable regret with any one. If they were annually + swept from the stage of existence by the plague or smallpox, honest men + would perhaps be much profited by the operation. Similar too is the + correct reasoning in regard to the burning of the negro at St. Louis. He + had forfeited his life by the perpetration of an outrageous murder upon + one of the most worthy and respectable citizens of the city, and had he + not died as he did, he must have died by the sentence of the law in a very + short time afterwards. As to him alone, it was as well the way it was as + it could otherwise have been. But the example in either case was fearful. + When men take it in their heads to-day to hang gamblers or burn murderers, + they should recollect that in the confusion usually attending such + transactions they will be as likely to hang or burn some one who is + neither a gambler nor a murderer as one who is, and that, acting upon the + example they set, the mob of to-morrow may, and probably will, hang or + burn some of them by the very same mistake. And not only so: the innocent, + those who have ever set their faces against violations of law in every + shape, alike with the guilty fall victims to the ravages of mob law; and + thus it goes on, step by step, till all the walls erected for the defense + of the persons and property of individuals are trodden down and + disregarded. But all this, even, is not the full extent of the evil. By + such examples, by instances of the perpetrators of such acts going + unpunished, the lawless in spirit are encouraged to become lawless in + practice; and having been used to no restraint but dread of punishment, + they thus become absolutely unrestrained. Having ever regarded government + as their deadliest bane, they make a jubilee of the suspension of its + operations, and pray for nothing so much as its total annihilation. While, + on the other hand, good men, men who love tranquillity, who desire to + abide by the laws and enjoy their benefits, who would gladly spill their + blood in the defense of their country, seeing their property destroyed, + their families insulted, and their lives endangered, their persons + injured, and seeing nothing in prospect that forebodes a change for the + better, become tired of and disgusted with a government that offers them + no protection, and are not much averse to a change in which they imagine + they have nothing to lose. Thus, then, by the operation of this mobocratic + spirit which all must admit is now abroad in the land, the strongest + bulwark of any government, and particularly of those constituted like + ours, may effectually be broken down and destroyed—I mean the + attachment of the people. Whenever this effect shall be produced among us; + whenever the vicious portion of population shall be permitted to gather in + bands of hundreds and thousands, and burn churches, ravage and rob + provision-stores, throw printing presses into rivers, shoot editors, and + hang and burn obnoxious persons at pleasure and with impunity, depend on + it, this government cannot last. By such things the feelings of the best + citizens will become more or less alienated from it, and thus it will be + left without friends, or with too few, and those few too weak to make + their friendship effectual. At such a time, and under such circumstances, + men of sufficient talent and ambition will not be wanting to seize the + opportunity, strike the blow, and overturn that fair fabric which for the + last half century has been the fondest hope of the lovers of freedom + throughout the world. + </p> + <p> + I know the American people are much attached to their government; I know + they would suffer much for its sake; I know they would endure evils long + and patiently before they would ever think of exchanging it for another,—yet, + notwithstanding all this, if the laws be continually despised and + disregarded, if their rights to be secure in their persons and property + are held by no better tenure than the caprice of a mob, the alienation of + their affections from the government is the natural consequence; and to + that, sooner or later, it must come. + </p> + <p> + Here, then, is one point at which danger may be expected. + </p> + <p> + The question recurs, How shall we fortify against it? The answer is + simple. Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to + his posterity swear by the blood of the Revolution never to violate in the + least particular the laws of the country, and never to tolerate their + violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of + the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and + laws let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred + honor. Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the + blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children's + liberty. Let reverence for the laws be breathed by every American mother + to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap; let it be taught in schools, + in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in primers, spelling + books, and in almanacs; let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in + legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let + it become the political religion of the nation; and let the old and the + young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay of all sexes and + tongues and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars. + </p> + <p> + While ever a state of feeling such as this shall universally or even very + generally prevail throughout the nation, vain will be every effort, and + fruitless every attempt, to subvert our national freedom. + </p> + <p> + When, I so pressingly urge a strict observance of all the laws, let me not + be understood as saying there are no bad laws, or that grievances may not + arise for the redress of which no legal provisions have been made. I mean + to say no such thing. But I do mean to say that although bad laws, if they + exist, should be repealed as soon as possible, still, while they continue + in force, for the sake of example they should be religiously observed. So + also in unprovided cases. If such arise, let proper legal provisions be + made for them with the least possible delay, but till then let them, if + not too intolerable, be borne with. + </p> + <p> + There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law. In any + case that may arise, as, for instance, the promulgation of abolitionism, + one of two positions is necessarily true—that is, the thing is right + within itself, and therefore deserves the protection of all law and all + good citizens, or it is wrong, and therefore proper to be prohibited by + legal enactments; and in neither case is the interposition of mob law + either necessary, justifiable, or excusable. + </p> + <p> + But it may be asked, Why suppose danger to our political institutions? + Have we not preserved them for more than fifty years? And why may we not + for fifty times as long? + </p> + <p> + We hope there is no sufficient reason. We hope all danger may be overcome; + but to conclude that no danger may ever arise would itself be extremely + dangerous. There are now, and will hereafter be, many causes, dangerous in + their tendency, which have not existed heretofore, and which are not too + insignificant to merit attention. That our government should have been + maintained in its original form, from its establishment until now, is not + much to be wondered at. It had many props to support it through that + period, which now are decayed and crumbled away. Through that period it + was felt by all to be an undecided experiment; now it is understood to be + a successful one. Then, all that sought celebrity and fame and distinction + expected to find them in the success of that experiment. Their all was + staked upon it; their destiny was inseparably linked with it. Their + ambition aspired to display before an admiring world a practical + demonstration of the truth of a proposition which had hitherto been + considered at best no better than problematical—namely, the + capability of a people to govern themselves. If they succeeded they were + to be immortalized; their names were to be transferred to counties, and + cities, and rivers, and mountains; and to be revered and sung, toasted + through all time. If they failed, they were to be called knaves and fools, + and fanatics for a fleeting hour; then to sink and be forgotten. They + succeeded. The experiment is successful, and thousands have won their + deathless names in making it so. But the game is caught; and I believe it + is true that with the catching end the pleasures of the chase. This field + of glory is harvested, and the crop is already appropriated. But new + reapers will arise, and they too will seek a field. It is to deny what the + history of the world tells us is true, to suppose that men of ambition and + talents will not continue to spring up amongst us. And when they do, they + will as naturally seek the gratification of their ruling passion as others + have done before them. The question then is, Can that gratification be + found in supporting and in maintaining an edifice that has been erected by + others? Most certainly it cannot. Many great and good men, sufficiently + qualified for any task they should undertake, may ever be found whose + ambition would aspire to nothing beyond a seat in Congress, a + Gubernatorial or a Presidential chair; but such belong not to the family + of the lion, or the tribe of the eagle. What! think you these places would + satisfy an Alexander, a Caesar, or a Napoleon? Never! Towering genius + disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored. It sees no + distinction in adding story to story upon the monuments of fame erected to + the memory of others. It denies that it is glory enough to serve under any + chief. It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any predecessor, however + illustrious. It thirsts and burns for distinction; and if possible, it + will have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves or enslaving + freemen. Is it unreasonable, then, to expect that some man possessed of + the loftiest genius, coupled with ambition sufficient to push it to its + utmost stretch, will at some time spring up among us? And when such an one + does it will require the people to be united with each other, attached to + the government and laws, and generally intelligent, to successfully + frustrate his designs. + </p> + <p> + Distinction will be his paramount object, and although he would as + willingly, perhaps more so, acquire it by doing good as harm, yet, that + opportunity being past, and nothing left to be done in the way of building + up, he would set boldly to the task of pulling down. + </p> + <p> + Here then is a probable case, highly dangerous, and such an one as could + not have well existed heretofore. + </p> + <p> + Another reason which once was, but which, to the same extent, is now no + more, has done much in maintaining our institutions thus far. I mean the + powerful influence which the interesting scenes of the Revolution had upon + the passions of the people as distinguished from their judgment. By this + influence, the jealousy, envy, and avarice incident to our nature, and so + common to a state of peace, prosperity, and conscious strength, were for + the time in a great measure smothered and rendered inactive, while the + deep-rooted principles of hate, and the powerful motive of revenge, + instead of being turned against each other, were directed exclusively + against the British nation. And thus, from the force of circumstances, the + basest principles of our nature were either made to lie dormant, or to + become the active agents in the advancement of the noblest of causes—that + of establishing and maintaining civil and religious liberty. + </p> + <p> + But this state of feeling must fade, is fading, has faded, with the + circumstances that produced it. + </p> + <p> + I do not mean to say that the scenes of the Revolution are now or ever + will be entirely forgotten, but that, like everything else, they must fade + upon the memory of the world, and grow more and more dim by the lapse of + time. In history, we hope, they will be read of, and recounted, so long as + the Bible shall be read; but even granting that they will, their influence + cannot be what it heretofore has been. Even then they cannot be so + universally known nor so vividly felt as they were by the generation just + gone to rest. At the close of that struggle, nearly every adult male had + been a participator in some of its scenes. The consequence was that of + those scenes, in the form of a husband, a father, a son, or a brother, a + living history was to be found in every family—a history bearing the + indubitable testimonies of its own authenticity, in the limbs mangled, in + the scars of wounds received, in the midst of the very scenes related—a + history, too, that could be read and understood alike by all, the wise and + the ignorant, the learned and the unlearned. But those histories are gone. + They can be read no more forever. They were a fortress of strength; but + what invading foeman could never do the silent artillery of time has done—the + leveling of its walls. They are gone. They were a forest of giant oaks; + but the all-restless hurricane has swept over them, and left only here and + there a lonely trunk, despoiled of its verdure, shorn of its foliage, + unshading and unshaded, to murmur in a few more gentle breezes, and to + combat with its mutilated limbs a few more ruder storms, then to sink and + be no more. + </p> + <p> + They were pillars of the temple of liberty; and now that they have + crumbled away that temple must fall unless we, their descendants, supply + their places with other pillars, hewn from the solid quarry of sober + reason. Passion has helped us, but can do so no more. It will in future be + our enemy. Reason cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason—must + furnish all the materials for our future support and defense. Let those + materials be moulded into general intelligence, sound morality, and in + particular, a reverence for the Constitution and laws; and that we + improved to the last, that we remained free to the last, that we revered + his name to the last, that during his long sleep we permitted no hostile + foot to pass over or desecrate his resting place, shall be that which to + learn the last trump shall awaken our Washington. + </p> + <p> + Upon these let the proud fabric of freedom rest, as the rock of its basis; + and as truly as has been said of the only greater institution, "the gates + of hell shall not prevail against it." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROTEST IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE ON THE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY. + </h2> + <h3> + March 3, 1837. + </h3> + <p> + The following protest was presented to the House, which was read and + ordered to be spread in the journals, to wit: + </p> + <p> + "Resolutions upon the subject of domestic slavery having passed both + branches of the General Assembly at its present session, the undersigned + hereby protest against the passage of the same. + </p> + <p> + "They believe that the institution of slavery is founded on both injustice + and bad policy, but that the promulgation of abolition doctrines tends + rather to increase than abate its evils. + </p> + <p> + "They believe that the Congress of the United States has no power under + the Constitution to interfere with the institution of slavery in the + different States. + </p> + <p> + "They believe that the Congress of the United States has the power, under + the Constitution, to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, but that + the power ought not to be exercised, unless at the request of the people + of the District. + </p> + <p> + "The difference between these opinions and those contained in the said + resolutions is their reason for entering this protest. + </p> + <p> + "DAN STONE, "A. LINCOLN, + </p> + <p> + "Representatives from the County of Sangamon." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO MISS MARY OWENS. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, May 7, 1837. + </h3> + <p> + MISS MARY S. OWENS. + </p> + <p> + FRIEND MARY:—I have commenced two letters to send you before this, + both of which displeased me before I got half done, and so I tore them up. + The first I thought was not serious enough, and the second was on the + other extreme. I shall send this, turn out as it may. + </p> + <p> + This thing of living in Springfield is rather a dull business, after all; + at least it is so to me. I am quite as lonesome here as I ever was + anywhere in my life. I have been spoken to by but one woman since I have + been here, and should not have been by her if she could have avoided it. I + 've never been to church yet, and probably shall not be soon. I stay away + because I am conscious I should not know how to behave myself. + </p> + <p> + I am often thinking of what we said about your coming to live at + Springfield. I am afraid you would not be satisfied. There is a great deal + of flourishing about in carriages here, which it would be your doom to see + without sharing it. You would have to be poor, without the means of hiding + your poverty. Do you believe you could bear that patiently? Whatever woman + may cast her lot with mine, should any ever do so, it is my intention to + do all in my power to make her happy and contented; and there is nothing I + can imagine that would make me more unhappy than to fail in the effort. I + know I should be much happier with you than the way I am, provided I saw + no signs of discontent in you. What you have said to me may have been in + the way of jest, or I may have misunderstood you. If so, then let it be + forgotten; if otherwise, I much wish you would think seriously before you + decide. What I have said I will most positively abide by, provided you + wish it. My opinion is that you had better not do it. You have not been + accustomed to hardship, and it may be more severe than you now imagine. I + know you are capable of thinking correctly on any subject, and if you + deliberate maturely upon this subject before you decide, then I am willing + to abide your decision. + </p> + <p> + You must write me a good long letter after you get this. You have nothing + else to do, and though it might not seem interesting to you after you had + written it, it would be a good deal of company to me in this "busy + wilderness." Tell your sister I don't want to hear any more about selling + out and moving. That gives me the "hypo" whenever I think of it. + </p> + <p> + Yours, etc., LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOHN BENNETT. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Aug. 5, 1837. JOHN BENNETT, ESQ. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR SIR:-Mr. Edwards tells me you wish to know whether the act to which + your own incorporation provision was attached passed into a law. It did. + You can organize under the general incorporation law as soon as you + choose. + </p> + <p> + I also tacked a provision onto a fellow's bill to authorize the relocation + of the road from Salem down to your town, but I am not certain whether or + not the bill passed, neither do I suppose I can ascertain before the law + will be published, if it is a law. Bowling Greene, Bennette Abe? and + yourself are appointed to make the change. No news. No excitement except a + little about the election of Monday next. + </p> + <p> + I suppose, of course, our friend Dr. Heney stands no chance in your + diggings. + </p> + <p> + Your friend and humble servant, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO MARY OWENS. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, Aug. 16, 1837 + </h3> + <p> + FRIEND MARY: You will no doubt think it rather strange that I should write + you a letter on the same day on which we parted, and I can only account + for it by supposing that seeing you lately makes me think of you more than + usual; while at our late meeting we had but few expressions of thoughts. + You must know that I cannot see you, or think of you, with entire + indifference; and yet it may be that you are mistaken in regard to what my + real feelings toward you are. + </p> + <p> + If I knew you were not, I should not have troubled you with this letter. + Perhaps any other man would know enough without information; but I + consider it my peculiar right to plead ignorance, and your bounden duty to + allow the plea. + </p> + <p> + I want in all cases to do right; and most particularly so in all cases + with women. + </p> + <p> + I want, at this particular time, more than any thing else to do right with + you; and if I knew it would be doing right, as I rather suspect it would, + to let you alone I would do it. And, for the purpose of making the matter + as plain as possible, I now say that you can drop the subject, dismiss + your thoughts (if you ever had any) from me for ever and leave this letter + unanswered without calling forth one accusing murmur from me. And I will + even go further and say that, if it will add anything to your comfort or + peace of mind to do so, it is my sincere wish that you should. Do not + understand by this that I wish to cut your acquaintance. I mean no such + thing. What I do wish is that our further acquaintance shall depend upon + yourself. If such further acquaintance would contribute nothing to your + happiness, I am sure it would not to mine. If you feel yourself in any + degree bound to me, I am now willing to release you, provided you wish it; + while on the other hand I am willing and even anxious to bind you faster + if I can be convinced that it will, in any considerable degree, add to + your happiness. This, indeed, is the whole question with me. Nothing would + make me more miserable than to believe you miserable, nothing more happy + than to know you were so. + </p> + <p> + In what I have now said, I think I cannot be misunderstood; and to make + myself understood is the only object of this letter. + </p> + <p> + If it suits you best not to answer this, farewell. A long life and a merry + one attend you. But, if you conclude to write back, speak as plainly as I + do. There can neither be harm nor danger in saying to me anything you + think, just in the manner you think it. My respects to your sister. + </p> + <p> + Your friend, LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LEGAL SUIT OF WIDOW v.s. Gen. ADAMS + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE PEOPLE. + </h3> + <p> + "SANGAMON JOURNAL," SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Aug. 19, 1837. + </p> + <p> + In accordance with our determination, as expressed last week, we present + to the reader the articles which were published in hand-bill form, in + reference to the case of the heirs of Joseph Anderson vs. James Adams. + These articles can now be read uninfluenced by personal or party feeling, + and with the sole motive of learning the truth. When that is done, the + reader can pass his own judgment on the matters at issue. + </p> + <p> + We only regret in this case, that the publications were not made some + weeks before the election. Such a course might have prevented the + expressions of regret, which have often been heard since, from different + individuals, on account of the disposition they made of their votes. + </p> + <p> + To the Public: + </p> + <p> + It is well known to most of you, that there is existing at this time + considerable excitement in regard to Gen. Adams's titles to certain tracts + of land, and the manner in which he acquired them. As I understand, the + Gen. charges that the whole has been gotten up by a knot of lawyers to + injure his election; and as I am one of the knot to which he refers, and + as I happen to be in possession of facts connected with the matter, I + will, in as brief a manner as possible, make a statement of them, together + with the means by which I arrived at the knowledge of them. + </p> + <p> + Sometime in May or June last, a widow woman, by the name of Anderson, and + her son, who resides in Fulton county, came to Springfield, for the + purpose as they said of selling a ten acre lot of ground lying near town, + which they claimed as the property of the deceased husband and father. + </p> + <p> + When they reached town they found the land was claimed by Gen. Adams. John + T. Stuart and myself were employed to look into the matter, and if it was + thought we could do so with any prospect of success, to commence a suit + for the land. I went immediately to the recorder's office to examine + Adams's title, and found that the land had been entered by one Dixon, + deeded by Dixon to Thomas, by Thomas to one Miller, and by Miller to Gen. + Adams. The oldest of these three deeds was about ten or eleven years old, + and the latest more than five, all recorded at the same time, and that + within less than one year. This I thought a suspicious circumstance, and I + was thereby induced to examine the deeds very closely, with a view to the + discovery of some defect by which to overturn the title, being almost + convinced then it was founded in fraud. I discovered that in the deed from + Thomas to Miller, although Miller's name stood in a sort of marginal note + on the record book, it was nowhere in the deed itself. I told the fact to + Talbott, the recorder, and proposed to him that he should go to Gen. + Adams's and get the original deed, and compare it with the record, and + thereby ascertain whether the defect was in the original or there was + merely an error in the recording. As Talbott afterwards told me, he went + to the General's, but not finding him at home, got the deed from his son, + which, when compared with the record, proved what we had discovered was + merely an error of the recorder. After Mr. Talbott corrected the record, + he brought the original to our office, as I then thought and think yet, to + show us that it was right. When he came into the room he handed the deed + to me, remarking that the fault was all his own. On opening it, another + paper fell out of it, which on examination proved to be an assignment of a + judgment in the Circuit Court of Sangamon County from Joseph Anderson, the + late husband of the widow above named, to James Adams, the judgment being + in favor of said Anderson against one Joseph Miller. Knowing that this + judgment had some connection with the land affair, I immediately took a + copy of it, which is word for word, letter for letter and cross for cross + as follows: + </p> + <p> + Joseph Anderson, vs. Joseph Miller. + </p> + <p> + Judgment in Sangamon Circuit Court against Joseph Miller obtained on a + note originally 25 dolls and interest thereon accrued. I assign all my + right, title and interest to James Adams which is in consideration of a + debt I owe said Adams. + </p> + <p> + his JOSEPH x ANDERSON. mark. + </p> + <p> + As the copy shows, it bore date May 10, 1827; although the judgment + assigned by it was not obtained until the October afterwards, as may be + seen by any one on the records of the Circuit Court. Two other strange + circumstances attended it which cannot be represented by a copy. One of + them was, that the date "1827" had first been made "1837" and, without the + figure "3," being fully obliterated, the figure "2" had afterwards been + made on top of it; the other was that, although the date was ten years + old, the writing on it, from the freshness of its appearance, was thought + by many, and I believe by all who saw it, not to be more than a week old. + The paper on which it was written had a very old appearance; and there + were some old figures on the back of it which made the freshness of the + writing on the face of it much more striking than I suppose it otherwise + might have been. The reader's curiosity is no doubt excited to know what + connection this assignment had with the land in question. The story is + this: Dixon sold and deeded the land to Thomas; Thomas sold it to + Anderson; but before he gave a deed, Anderson sold it to Miller, and took + Miller's note for the purchase money. When this note became due, Anderson + sued Miller on it, and Miller procured an injunction from the Court of + Chancery to stay the collection of the money until he should get a deed + for the land. Gen. Adams was employed as an attorney by Anderson in this + chancery suit, and at the October term, 1827, the injunction was + dissolved, and a judgment given in favor of Anderson against Miller; and + it was provided that Thomas was to execute a deed for the land in favor of + Miller and deliver it to Gen. Adams, to be held up by him till Miller paid + the judgment, and then to deliver it to him. Miller left the county + without paying the judgment. Anderson moved to Fulton county, where he has + since died When the widow came to Springfield last May or June, as before + mentioned, and found the land deeded to Gen. Adams by Miller, she was + naturally led to inquire why the money due upon the judgment had not been + sent to them, inasmuch as he, Gen. Adams, had no authority to deliver + Thomas's deed to Miller until the money was paid. Then it was the General + told her, or perhaps her son, who came with her, that Anderson, in his + lifetime, had assigned the judgment to him, Gen. Adams. I am now told that + the General is exhibiting an assignment of the same judgment bearing date + "1828" and in other respects differing from the one described; and that he + is asserting that no such assignment as the one copied by me ever existed; + or if there did, it was forged between Talbott and the lawyers, and + slipped into his papers for the purpose of injuring him. Now, I can only + say that I know precisely such a one did exist, and that Ben. Talbott, Wm. + Butler, C.R. Matheny, John T. Stuart, Judge Logan, Robert Irwin, P. C. + Canedy and S. M. Tinsley, all saw and examined it, and that at least one + half of them will swear that IT WAS IN GENERAL ADAMS'S HANDWRITING!! And + further, I know that Talbott will swear that he got it out of the + General's possession, and returned it into his possession again. The + assignment which the General is now exhibiting purports to have been by + Anderson in writing. The one I copied was signed with a cross. + </p> + <p> + I am told that Gen. Neale says that he will swear that he heard Gen. Adams + tell young Anderson that the assignment made by his father was signed with + a cross. + </p> + <p> + The above are 'facts,' as stated. I leave them without comment. I have + given the names of persons who have knowledge of these facts, in order + that any one who chooses may call on them and ascertain how far they will + corroborate my statements. I have only made these statements because I am + known by many to be one of the individuals against whom the charge of + forging the assignment and slipping it into the General's papers has been + made, and because our silence might be construed into a confession of its + truth. I shall not subscribe my name; but I hereby authorize the editor of + the Journal to give it up to any one that may call for it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LINCOLN AND TALBOTT IN REPLY TO GEN. ADAMS. + </h2> + <h3> + "SANGAMON JOURNAL," SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Oct. 28, 1837. + </h3> + <p> + In the Republican of this morning a publication of Gen. Adams's appears, + in which my name is used quite unreservedly. For this I thank the General. + I thank him because it gives me an opportunity, without appearing + obtrusive, of explaining a part of a former publication of mine, which + appears to me to have been misunderstood by many. + </p> + <p> + In the former publication alluded to, I stated, in substance, that Mr. + Talbott got a deed from a son of Gen. Adams's for the purpose of + correcting a mistake that had occurred on the record of the said deed in + the recorder's office; that he corrected the record, and brought the deed + and handed it to me, and that on opening the deed, another paper, being + the assignment of a judgment, fell out of it. This statement Gen. Adams + and the editor of the Republican have seized upon as a most palpable + evidence of fabrication and falsehood. They set themselves gravely about + proving that the assignment could not have been in the deed when Talbott + got it from young Adams, as he, Talbott, would have seen it when he opened + the deed to correct the record. Now, the truth is, Talbott did see the + assignment when he opened the deed, or at least he told me he did on the + same day; and I only omitted to say so, in my former publication, because + it was a matter of such palpable and necessary inference. I had stated + that Talbott had corrected the record by the deed; and of course he must + have opened it; and, just as the General and his friends argue, must have + seen the assignment. I omitted to state the fact of Talbott's seeing the + assignment, because its existence was so necessarily connected with other + facts which I did state, that I thought the greatest dunce could not but + understand it. Did I say Talbott had not seen it? Did I say anything that + was inconsistent with his having seen it before? Most certainly I did + neither; and if I did not, what becomes of the argument? These logical + gentlemen can sustain their argument only by assuming that I did say + negatively everything that I did not say affirmatively; and upon the same + assumption, we may expect to find the General, if a little harder pressed + for argument, saying that I said Talbott came to our office with his head + downward, not that I actually said so, but because I omitted to say he + came feet downward. + </p> + <p> + In his publication to-day, the General produces the affidavit of Reuben + Radford, in which it is said that Talbott told Radford that he did not + find the assignment in the deed, in the recording of which the error was + committed, but that he found it wrapped in another paper in the recorder's + office, upon which statement the Genl. comments as follows, to wit: "If it + be true as stated by Talbott to Radford, that he found the assignment + wrapped up in another paper at his office, that contradicts the statement + of Lincoln that it fell out of the deed." + </p> + <p> + Is common sense to be abused with such sophistry? Did I say what Talbott + found it in? If Talbott did find it in another paper at his office, is + that any reason why he could not have folded it in a deed and brought it + to my office? Can any one be so far duped as to be made believe that what + may have happened at Talbot's office at one time is inconsistent with what + happened at my office at another time? + </p> + <p> + Now Talbott's statement of the case as he makes it to me is this, that he + got a bunch of deeds from young Adams, and that he knows he found the + assignment in the bunch, but he is not certain which particular deed it + was in, nor is he certain whether it was folded in the same deed out of + which it was taken, or another one, when it was brought to my office. Is + this a mysterious story? Is there anything suspicious about it? + </p> + <p> + "But it is useless to dwell longer on this point. Any man who is not + wilfully blind can see at a flash, that there is no discrepancy, and + Lincoln has shown that they are not only inconsistent with truth, but each + other"—I can only say, that I have shown that he has done no such + thing; and if the reader is disposed to require any other evidence than + the General's assertion, he will be of my opinion. + </p> + <p> + Excepting the General's most flimsy attempt at mystification, in regard to + a discrepance between Talbott and myself, he has not denied a single + statement that I made in my hand-bill. Every material statement that I + made has been sworn to by men who, in former times, were thought as + respectable as General Adams. I stated that an assignment of a judgment, a + copy of which I gave, had existed—Benj. Talbott, C. R. Matheny, Wm. + Butler, and Judge Logan swore to its existence. I stated that it was said + to be in Gen. Adams's handwriting—the same men swore it was in his + handwriting. I stated that Talbott would swear that he got it out of Gen. + Adams's possession—Talbott came forward and did swear it. + </p> + <p> + Bidding adieu to the former publication, I now propose to examine the + General's last gigantic production. I now propose to point out some + discrepancies in the General's address; and such, too, as he shall not be + able to escape from. Speaking of the famous assignment, the General says: + "This last charge, which was their last resort, their dying effort to + render my character infamous among my fellow citizens, was manufactured at + a certain lawyer's office in the town, printed at the office of the + Sangamon Journal, and found its way into the world some time between two + days just before the last election." Now turn to Mr. Keys' affidavit, in + which you will find the following, viz.: "I certify that some time in May + or the early part of June, 1837, I saw at Williams's corner a paper + purporting to be an assignment from Joseph Anderson to James Adams, which + assignment was signed by a mark to Anderson's name," etc. Now mark, if + Keys saw the assignment on the last of May or first of June, Gen. Adams + tells a falsehood when he says it was manufactured just before the + election, which was on the 7th of August; and if it was manufactured just + before the election, Keys tells a falsehood when he says he saw it on the + last of May or first of June. Either Keys or the General is irretrievably + in for it; and in the General's very condescending language, I say "Let + them settle it between them." + </p> + <p> + Now again, let the reader, bearing in mind that General Adams has + unequivocally said, in one part of his address, that the charge in + relation to the assignment was manufactured just before the election, turn + to the affidavit of Peter S. Weber, where the following will be found + viz.: "I, Peter S. Weber, do certify that from the best of my + recollection, on the day or day after Gen. Adams started for the Illinois + Rapids, in May last, that I was at the house of Gen. Adams, sitting in the + kitchen, situated on the back part of the house, it being in the + afternoon, and that Benjamin Talbott came around the house, back into the + kitchen, and appeared wild and confused, and that he laid a package of + papers on the kitchen table and requested that they should be handed to + Lucian. He made no apology for coming to the kitchen, nor for not handing + them to Lucian himself, but showed the token of being frightened and + confused both in demeanor and speech and for what cause I could not + apprehend." + </p> + <p> + Commenting on Weber's affidavit, Gen. Adams asks, "Why this fright and + confusion?" I reply that this is a question for the General himself. Weber + says that it was in May, and if so, it is most clear that Talbott was not + frightened on account of the assignment, unless the General lies when he + says the assignment charge was manufactured just before the election. Is + it not a strong evidence, that the General is not traveling with the + pole-star of truth in his front, to see him in one part of his address + roundly asserting that the assignment was manufactured just before the + election, and then, forgetting that position, procuring Weber's most + foolish affidavit, to prove that Talbott had been engaged in manufacturing + it two months before? + </p> + <p> + In another part of his address, Gen. Adams says: "That I hold an + assignment of said judgment, dated the 20th of May, 1828, and signed by + said Anderson, I have never pretended to deny or conceal, but stated that + fact in one of my circulars previous to the election, and also in answer + to a bill in chancery." Now I pronounce this statement unqualifiedly + false, and shall not rely on the word or oath of any man to sustain me in + what I say; but will let the whole be decided by reference to the circular + and answer in chancery of which the General speaks. In his circular he did + speak of an assignment; but he did not say it bore date 20th of May, 1828; + nor did he say it bore any date. In his answer in chancery, he did say + that he had an assignment; but he did not say that it bore date the 20th + May, 1828; but so far from it, he said on oath (for he swore to the + answer) that as well as recollected, he obtained it in 1827. If any one + doubts, let him examine the circular and answer for himself. They are both + accessible. + </p> + <p> + It will readily be observed that the principal part of Adams's defense + rests upon the argument that if he had been base enough to forge an + assignment he would not have been fool enough to forge one that would not + cover the case. This argument he used in his circular before the election. + The Republican has used it at least once, since then; and Adams uses it + again in his publication of to-day. Now I pledge myself to show that he is + just such a fool that he and his friends have contended it was impossible + for him to be. Recollect—he says he has a genuine assignment; and + that he got Joseph Klein's affidavit, stating that he had seen it, and + that he believed the signature to have been executed by the same hand that + signed Anderson's name to the answer in chancery. Luckily Klein took a + copy of this genuine assignment, which I have been permitted to see; and + hence I know it does not cover the case. In the first place it is headed + "Joseph Anderson vs. Joseph Miller," and heads off "Judgment in Sangamon + Circuit Court." Now, mark, there never was a case in Sangamon Circuit + Court entitled Joseph Anderson vs. Joseph Miller. The case mentioned in my + former publication, and the only one between these parties that ever + existed in the Circuit Court, was entitled Joseph Miller vs. Joseph + Anderson, Miller being the plaintiff. What then becomes of all their + sophistry about Adams not being fool enough to forge an assignment that + would not cover the case? It is certain that the present one does not + cover the case; and if he got it honestly, it is still clear that he was + fool enough to pay for an assignment that does not cover the case. + </p> + <p> + The General asks for the proof of disinterested witnesses. Whom does he + consider disinterested? None can be more so than those who have already + testified against him. No one of them had the least interest on earth, so + far as I can learn, to injure him. True, he says they had conspired + against him; but if the testimony of an angel from Heaven were introduced + against him, he would make the same charge of conspiracy. And now I put + the question to every reflecting man, Do you believe that Benjamin + Talbott, Chas. R. Matheny, William Butler and Stephen T. Logan, all + sustaining high and spotless characters, and justly proud of them, would + deliberately perjure themselves, without any motive whatever, except to + injure a man's election; and that, too, a man who had been a candidate, + time out of mind, and yet who had never been elected to any office? + </p> + <p> + Adams's assurance, in demanding disinterested testimony, is surpassing. He + brings in the affidavit of his own son, and even of Peter S. Weber, with + whom I am not acquainted, but who, I suppose, is some black or mulatto + boy, from his being kept in the kitchen, to prove his points; but when + such a man as Talbott, a man who, but two years ago, ran against Gen. + Adams for the office of Recorder and beat him more than four votes to one, + is introduced against him, he asks the community, with all the consequence + of a lord, to reject his testimony. + </p> + <p> + I might easily write a volume, pointing out inconsistencies between the + statements in Adams's last address with one another, and with other known + facts; but I am aware the reader must already be tired with the length of + this article. His opening statements, that he was first accused of being a + Tory, and that he refuted that; that then the Sampson's ghost story was + got up, and he refuted that; that as a last resort, a dying effort, the + assignment charge was got up is all as false as hell, as all this + community must know. Sampson's ghost first made its appearance in print, + and that, too, after Keys swears he saw the assignment, as any one may see + by reference to the files of papers; and Gen. Adams himself, in reply to + the Sampson's ghost story, was the first man that raised the cry of + toryism, and it was only by way of set-off, and never in seriousness, that + it was bandied back at him. His effort is to make the impression that his + enemies first made the charge of toryism and he drove them from that, then + Sampson's ghost, he drove them from that, then finally the assignment + charge was manufactured just before election. Now, the only general reply + he ever made to the Sampson's ghost and tory charges he made at one and + the same time, and not in succession as he states; and the date of that + reply will show, that it was made at least a month after the date on which + Keys swears he saw the Anderson assignment. But enough. In conclusion I + will only say that I have a character to defend as well as Gen. Adams, but + I disdain to whine about it as he does. It is true I have no children nor + kitchen boys; and if I had, I should scorn to lug them in to make + affidavits for me. + </p> + <p> + A. LINCOLN, September 6, 1837. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Gen. ADAMS CONTROVERSY—CONTINUED + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE PUBLIC. + </h3> + <p> + "SANGAMON JOURNAL," Springfield, Ill, Oct.28, 1837. + </p> + <p> + Such is the turn which things have taken lately, that when Gen. Adams + writes a book, I am expected to write a commentary on it. In the + Republican of this morning he has presented the world with a new work of + six columns in length; in consequence of which I must beg the room of one + column in the Journal. It is obvious that a minute reply cannot be made in + one column to everything that can be said in six; and, consequently, I + hope that expectation will be answered if I reply to such parts of the + General's publication as are worth replying to. + </p> + <p> + It may not be improper to remind the reader that in his publication of + Sept. 6th General Adams said that the assignment charge was manufactured + just before the election; and that in reply I proved that statement to be + false by Keys, his own witness. Now, without attempting to explain, he + furnishes me with another witness (Tinsley) by which the same thing is + proved, to wit, that the assignment was not manufactured just before the + election; but that it was some weeks before. Let it be borne in mind that + Adams made this statement—has himself furnished two witnesses to + prove its falsehood, and does not attempt to deny or explain it. Before + going farther, let a pin be stuck here, labeled "One lie proved and + confessed." On the 6th of September he said he had before stated in the + hand-bill that he held an assignment dated May 20th, 1828, which in reply + I pronounced to be false, and referred to the hand-bill for the truth of + what I said. This week he forgets to make any explanation of this. Let + another pin be stuck here, labelled as before. I mention these things + because, if, when I convict him in one falsehood, he is permitted to shift + his ground and pass it by in silence, there can be no end to this + controversy. + </p> + <p> + The first thing that attracts my attention in the General's present + production is the information he is pleased to give to "those who are made + to suffer at his (my) hands." + </p> + <p> + Under present circumstances, this cannot apply to me, for I am not a widow + nor an orphan: nor have I a wife or children who might by possibility + become such. Such, however, I have no doubt, have been, and will again be + made to suffer at his hands! Hands! Yes, they are the mischievous agents. + The next thing I shall notice is his favorite expression, "not of lawyers, + doctors and others," which he is so fond of applying to all who dare + expose his rascality. Now, let it be remembered that when he first came to + this country he attempted to impose himself upon the community as a + lawyer, and actually carried the attempt so far as to induce a man who was + under a charge of murder to entrust the defence of his life in his hands, + and finally took his money and got him hanged. Is this the man that is to + raise a breeze in his favor by abusing lawyers? If he is not himself a + lawyer, it is for the lack of sense, and not of inclination. If he is not + a lawyer, he is a liar, for he proclaimed himself a lawyer, and got a man + hanged by depending on him. + </p> + <p> + Passing over such parts of the article as have neither fact nor argument + in them, I come to the question asked by Adams whether any person ever saw + the assignment in his possession. This is an insult to common sense. + Talbott has sworn once and repeated time and again, that he got it out of + Adams's possession and returned it into the same possession. Still, as + though he was addressing fools, he has assurance to ask if any person ever + saw it in his possession. + </p> + <p> + Next I quote a sentence, "Now my son Lucian swears that when Talbott + called for the deed, that he, Talbott, opened it and pointed out the + error." True. His son Lucian did swear as he says; and in doing so, he + swore what I will prove by his own affidavit to be a falsehood. Turn to + Lucian's affidavit, and you will there see that Talbott called for the + deed by which to correct an error on the record. Thus it appears that the + error in question was on the record, and not in the deed. How then could + Talbott open the deed and point out the error? Where a thing is not, it + cannot be pointed out. The error was not in the deed, and of course could + not be pointed out there. This does not merely prove that the error could + not be pointed out, as Lucian swore it was; but it proves, too, that the + deed was not opened in his presence with a special view to the error, for + if it had been, he could not have failed to see that there was no error in + it. It is easy enough to see why Lucian swore this. His object was to + prove that the assignment was not in the deed when Talbott got it: but it + was discovered he could not swear this safely, without first swearing the + deed was opened—and if he swore it was opened, he must show a motive + for opening it, and the conclusion with him and his father was that the + pointing out the error would appear the most plausible. + </p> + <p> + For the purpose of showing that the assignment was not in the bundle when + Talbott got it, is the story introduced into Lucian's affidavit that the + deeds were counted. It is a remarkable fact, and one that should stand as + a warning to all liars and fabricators, that in this short affidavit of + Lucian's he only attempted to depart from the truth, so far as I have the + means of knowing, in two points, to wit, in the opening the deed and + pointing out the error and the counting of the deeds,—and in both of + these he caught himself. About the counting, he caught himself thus—after + saying the bundle contained five deeds and a lease, he proceeds, "and I + saw no other papers than the said deed and lease." First he has six + papers, and then he saw none but two; for "my son Lucian's" benefit, let a + pin be stuck here. + </p> + <p> + Adams again adduces the argument, that he could not have forged the + assignment, for the reason that he could have had no motive for it. With + those that know the facts there is no absence of motive. Admitting the + paper which he has filed in the suit to be genuine, it is clear that it + cannot answer the purpose for which he designs it. Hence his motive for + making one that he supposed would answer is obvious. His making the date + too old is also easily enough accounted for. The records were not in his + hands, and then, there being some considerable talk upon this particular + subject, he knew he could not examine the records to ascertain the precise + dates without subjecting himself to suspicion; and hence he concluded to + try it by guess, and, as it turned out, missed it a little. About Miller's + deposition I have a word to say. In the first place, Miller's answer to + the first question shows upon its face that he had been tampered with, and + the answer dictated to him. He was asked if he knew Joel Wright and James + Adams; and above three-fourths of his answer consists of what he knew + about Joseph Anderson, a man about whom nothing had been asked, nor a word + said in the question—a fact that can only be accounted for upon the + supposition that Adams had secretly told him what he wished him to swear + to. + </p> + <p> + Another of Miller's answers I will prove both by common sense and the + Court of Record is untrue. To one question he answers, "Anderson brought a + suit against me before James Adams, then an acting justice of the peace in + Sangamon County, before whom he obtained a judgment. + </p> + <p> + "Q.—Did you remove the same by injunction to the Sangamon Circuit + Court? Ans.—I did remove it." + </p> + <p> + Now mark—it is said he removed it by injunction. The word + "injunction" in common language imports a command that some person or + thing shall not move or be removed; in law it has the same meaning. An + injunction issuing out of chancery to a justice of the peace is a command + to him to stop all proceedings in a named case until further orders. It is + not an order to remove but to stop or stay something that is already + moving. Besides this, the records of the Sangamon Circuit Court show that + the judgment of which Miller swore was never removed into said Court by + injunction or otherwise. + </p> + <p> + I have now to take notice of a part of Adams's address which in the order + of time should have been noticed before. It is in these words: "I have now + shown, in the opinion of two competent judges, that the handwriting of the + forged assignment differed from mine, and by one of them that it could not + be mistaken for mine." That is false. Tinsley no doubt is the judge + referred to; and by reference to his certificate it will be seen that he + did not say the handwriting of the assignment could not be mistaken for + Adams's—nor did he use any other expression substantially, or + anything near substantially, the same. But if Tinsley had said the + handwriting could not be mistaken for Adams's, it would have been equally + unfortunate for Adams: for it then would have contradicted Keys, who says, + "I looked at the writing and judged it the said Adams's or a good + imitation." + </p> + <p> + Adams speaks with much apparent confidence of his success on attending + lawsuits, and the ultimate maintenance of his title to the land in + question. Without wishing to disturb the pleasure of his dream, I would + say to him that it is not impossible that he may yet be taught to sing a + different song in relation to the matter. + </p> + <p> + At the end of Miller's deposition, Adams asks, "Will Mr. Lincoln now say + that he is almost convinced my title to this ten acre tract of land is + founded in fraud?" I answer, I will not. I will now change the phraseology + so as to make it run—I am quite convinced, &c. I cannot pass in + silence Adams's assertion that he has proved that the forged assignment + was not in the deed when it came from his house by Talbott, the recorder. + In this, although Talbott has sworn that the assignment was in the bundle + of deeds when it came from his house, Adams has the unaccountable + assurance to say that he has proved the contrary by Talbott. Let him or + his friends attempt to show wherein he proved any such thing by Talbott. + </p> + <p> + In his publication of the 6th of September he hinted to Talbott, that he + might be mistaken. In his present, speaking of Talbott and me he says + "They may have been imposed upon." Can any man of the least penetration + fail to see the object of this? After he has stormed and raged till he + hopes and imagines he has got us a little scared he wishes to softly + whisper in our ears, "If you'll quit I will." If he could get us to say + that some unknown, undefined being had slipped the assignment into our + hands without our knowledge, not a doubt remains but that he would + immediately discover that we were the purest men on earth. This is the + ground he evidently wishes us to understand he is willing to compromise + upon. But we ask no such charity at his hands. We are neither mistaken nor + imposed upon. We have made the statements we have because we know them to + be true and we choose to live or die by them. + </p> + <p> + Esq. Carter, who is Adams's friend, personal and political, will + recollect, that, on the 5th of this month, he (Adams), with a great + affectation of modesty, declared that he would never introduce his own + child as a witness. Notwithstanding this affectation of modesty, he has in + his present publication introduced his child as witness; and as if to show + with how much contempt he could treat his own declaration, he has had this + same Esq. Carter to administer the oath to him. And so important a witness + does he consider him, and so entirely does the whole of his entire present + production depend upon the testimony of his child, that in it he has + mentioned "my son," "my son Lucian," "Lucian, my son," and the like + expressions no less than fifteen different times. Let it be remembered + here, that I have shown the affidavit of "my darling son Lucian" to be + false by the evidence apparent on its own face; and I now ask if that + affidavit be taken away what foundation will the fabric have left to stand + upon? + </p> + <p> + General Adams's publications and out-door maneuvering, taken in connection + with the editorial articles of the Republican, are not more foolish and + contradictory than they are ludicrous and amusing. One week the Republican + notifies the public that Gen. Adams is preparing an instrument that will + tear, rend, split, rive, blow up, confound, overwhelm, annihilate, + extinguish, exterminate, burst asunder, and grind to powder all its + slanderers, and particularly Talbott and Lincoln—all of which is to + be done in due time. + </p> + <p> + Then for two or three weeks all is calm—not a word said. Again the + Republican comes forth with a mere passing remark that "public" opinion + has decided in favor of Gen. Adams, and intimates that he will give + himself no more trouble about the matter. In the meantime Adams himself is + prowling about and, as Burns says of the devil, "For prey, and holes and + corners tryin'," and in one instance goes so far as to take an old + acquaintance of mine several steps from a crowd and, apparently weighed + down with the importance of his business, gravely and solemnly asks him if + "he ever heard Lincoln say he was a deist." + </p> + <p> + Anon the Republican comes again. "We invite the attention of the public to + General Adams's communication," &c. "The victory is a great one, the + triumph is overwhelming." I really believe the editor of the Illinois + Republican is fool enough to think General Adams leads off—"Authors + most egregiously mistaken &c. Most woefully shall their presumption be + punished," &c. (Lord have mercy on us.) "The hour is yet to come, yea, + nigh at hand—(how long first do you reckon?)—when the Journal + and its junto shall say, I have appeared too early." "Their infamy shall + be laid bare to the public gaze." Suddenly the General appears to relent + at the severity with which he is treating us and he exclaims: "The + condemnation of my enemies is the inevitable result of my own defense." + For your health's sake, dear Gen., do not permit your tenderness of heart + to afflict you so much on our account. For some reason (perhaps because we + are killed so quickly) we shall never be sensible of our suffering. + </p> + <p> + Farewell, General. I will see you again at court if not before—when + and where we will settle the question whether you or the widow shall have + the land. + </p> + <p> + A. LINCOLN. October 18, 1837. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1838 + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO Mrs. O. H. BROWNING—A FARCE + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, April 1, 1838. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR MADAM:—Without apologizing for being egotistical, I shall make + the history of so much of my life as has elapsed since I saw you the + subject of this letter. And, by the way, I now discover that, in order to + give a full and intelligible account of the things I have done and + suffered since I saw you, I shall necessarily have to relate some that + happened before. + </p> + <p> + It was, then, in the autumn of 1836 that a married lady of my + acquaintance, and who was a great friend of mine, being about to pay a + visit to her father and other relatives residing in Kentucky, proposed to + me that on her return she would bring a sister of hers with her on + condition that I would engage to become her brother-in-law with all + convenient despatch. I, of course, accepted the proposal, for you know I + could not have done otherwise had I really been averse to it; but + privately, between you and me, I was most confoundedly well pleased with + the project. I had seen the said sister some three years before, thought + her intelligent and agreeable, and saw no good objection to plodding life + through hand in hand with her. Time passed on; the lady took her journey + and in due time returned, sister in company, sure enough. This astonished + me a little, for it appeared to me that her coming so readily showed that + she was a trifle too willing, but on reflection it occurred to me that she + might have been prevailed on by her married sister to come without + anything concerning me ever having been mentioned to her, and so I + concluded that if no other objection presented itself, I would consent to + waive this. All this occurred to me on hearing of her arrival in the + neighborhood—for, be it remembered, I had not yet seen her, except + about three years previous, as above mentioned. In a few days we had an + interview, and, although I had seen her before, she did not look as my + imagination had pictured her. I knew she was over-size, but she now + appeared a fair match for Falstaff. I knew she was called an "old maid," + and I felt no doubt of the truth of at least half of the appellation, but + now, when I beheld her, I could not for my life avoid thinking of my + mother; and this, not from withered features,—for her skin was too + full of fat to permit of its contracting into wrinkles,—but from her + want of teeth, weather-beaten appearance in general, and from a kind of + notion that ran in my head that nothing could have commenced at the size + of infancy and reached her present bulk in less than thirty-five or forty + years; and in short, I was not at all pleased with her. But what could I + do? I had told her sister that I would take her for better or for worse, + and I made a point of honor and conscience in all things to stick to my + word especially if others had been induced to act on it which in this case + I had no doubt they had, for I was now fairly convinced that no other man + on earth would have her, and hence the conclusion that they were bent on + holding me to my bargain. + </p> + <p> + "Well," thought I, "I have said it, and, be the consequences what they + may, it shall not be my fault if I fail to do it." At once I determined to + consider her my wife; and, this done, all my powers of discovery were put + to work in search of perfections in her which might be fairly set off + against her defects. I tried to imagine her handsome, which, but for her + unfortunate corpulency, was actually true. Exclusive of this no woman that + I have ever seen has a finer face. I also tried to convince myself that + the mind was much more to be valued than the person; and in this she was + not inferior, as I could discover, to any with whom I had been acquainted. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after this, without coming to any positive understanding with her, + I set out for Vandalia, when and where you first saw me. During my stay + there I had letters from her which did not change my opinion of either her + intellect or intention, but on the contrary confirmed it in both. + </p> + <p> + All this while, although I was fixed, "firm as the surge-repelling rock," + in my resolution, I found I was continually repenting the rashness which + had led me to make it. Through life, I have been in no bondage, either + real or imaginary, from the thraldom of which I so much desired to be + free. After my return home, I saw nothing to change my opinions of her in + any particular. She was the same, and so was I. I now spent my time in + planning how I might get along through life after my contemplated change + of circumstances should have taken place, and how I might procrastinate + the evil day for a time, which I really dreaded as much, perhaps more, + than an Irishman does the halter. + </p> + <p> + After all my suffering upon this deeply interesting subject, here I am, + wholly, unexpectedly, completely, out of the "scrape"; and now I want to + know if you can guess how I got out of it——out, clear, in + every sense of the term; no violation of word, honor, or conscience. I + don't believe you can guess, and so I might as well tell you at once. As + the lawyer says, it was done in the manner following, to wit: After I had + delayed the matter as long as I thought I could in honor do (which, by the + way, had brought me round into the last fall), I concluded I might as well + bring it to a consummation without further delay; and so I mustered my + resolution, and made the proposal to her direct; but, shocking to relate, + she answered, No. At first I supposed she did it through an affectation of + modesty, which I thought but ill became her under the peculiar + circumstances of her case; but on my renewal of the charge, I found she + repelled it with greater firmness than before. I tried it again and again + but with the same success, or rather with the same want of success. + </p> + <p> + I finally was forced to give it up; at which I very unexpectedly found + myself mortified almost beyond endurance. I was mortified, it seemed to + me, in a hundred different ways. My vanity was deeply wounded by the + reflection that I had been too stupid to discover her intentions, and at + the same time never doubting that I understood them perfectly, and also + that she, whom I had taught myself to believe nobody else would have, had + actually rejected me with all my fancied greatness. And, to cap the whole, + I then for the first time began to suspect that I was really a little in + love with her. But let it all go. I'll try and outlive it. Others have + been made fools of by the girls, but this can never with truth be said of + me. I most emphatically in this instance, made a fool of myself. I have + now come to the conclusion never again to think of marrying, and for this + reason: I can never be satisfied with any one who would be blockhead + enough to have me. + </p> + <p> + When you receive this, write me a long yarn about something to amuse me. + Give my respects to Mr. Browning. + </p> + <p> + Your sincere friend, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1839 + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + REMARKS ON SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS + </h2> + <h3> + IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, January 17, 1839. + </h3> + <p> + Mr. Lincoln, from Committee on Finance, to which the subject was referred, + made a report on the subject of purchasing of the United States all the + unsold lands lying within the limits of the State of Illinois, accompanied + by resolutions that this State propose to purchase all unsold lands at + twenty-five cents per acre, and pledging the faith of the State to carry + the proposal into effect if the government accept the same within two + years. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Lincoln thought the resolutions ought to be seriously considered. In + reply to the gentleman from Adams, he said that it was not to enrich the + State. The price of the lands may be raised, it was thought by some; by + others, that it would be reduced. The conclusion in his mind was that the + representatives in this Legislature from the country in which the lands + lie would be opposed to raising the price, because it would operate + against the settlement of the lands. He referred to the lands in the + military tract. They had fallen into the hands of large speculators in + consequence of the low price. He was opposed to a low price of land. He + thought it was adverse to the interests of the poor settler, because + speculators buy them up. He was opposed to a reduction of the price of + public lands. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Lincoln referred to some official documents emanating from Indiana, + and compared the progressive population of the two States. Illinois had + gained upon that State under the public land system as it is. His + conclusion was that ten years from this time Illinois would have no more + public land unsold than Indiana now has. He referred also to Ohio. That + State had sold nearly all her public lands. She was but twenty years ahead + of us, and as our lands were equally salable—more so, as he + maintained—we should have no more twenty years from now than she has + at present. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Lincoln referred to the canal lands, and supposed that the policy of + the State would be different in regard to them, if the representatives + from that section of country could themselves choose the policy; but the + representatives from other parts of the State had a veto upon it, and + regulated the policy. He thought that if the State had all the lands, the + policy of the Legislature would be more liberal to all sections. + </p> + <p> + He referred to the policy of the General Government. He thought that if + the national debt had not been paid, the expenses of the government would + not have doubled, as they had done since that debt was paid. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO ——— ROW. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, June 11, 1839 DEAR ROW: + </h3> + <p> + Mr. Redman informs me that you wish me to write you the particulars of a + conversation between Dr. Felix and myself relative to you. The Dr. + overtook me between Rushville and Beardstown. + </p> + <p> + He, after learning that I had lived at Springfield, asked if I was + acquainted with you. I told him I was. He said you had lately been elected + constable in Adams, but that you never would be again. I asked him why. He + said the people there had found out that you had been sheriff or deputy + sheriff in Sangamon County, and that you came off and left your securities + to suffer. He then asked me if I did not know such to be the fact. I told + him I did not think you had ever been sheriff or deputy sheriff in + Sangamon, but that I thought you had been constable. I further told him + that if you had left your securities to suffer in that or any other case, + I had never heard of it, and that if it had been so, I thought I would + have heard of it. + </p> + <p> + If the Dr. is telling that I told him anything against you whatever, I + authorize you to contradict it flatly. We have no news here. + </p> + <p> + Your friend, as ever, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SPEECH ON NATIONAL BANK + </h2> + <h3> + IN THE HALL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES + </h3> + <p> + SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, December 20, 1839. + </p> + <p> + FELLOW-CITIZENS:—It is peculiarly embarrassing to me to attempt a + continuance of the discussion, on this evening, which has been conducted + in this hall on several preceding ones. It is so because on each of those + evenings there was a much fuller attendance than now, without any reason + for its being so, except the greater interest the community feel in the + speakers who addressed them then than they do in him who is to do so now. + I am, indeed, apprehensive that the few who have attended have done so + more to spare me mortification than in the hope of being interested in + anything I may be able to say. This circumstance casts a damp upon my + spirits, which I am sure I shall be unable to overcome during the evening. + But enough of preface. + </p> + <p> + The subject heretofore and now to be discussed is the subtreasury scheme + of the present administration, as a means of collecting, safe-keeping, + transferring, and disbursing, the revenues of the nation, as contrasted + with a national bank for the same purposes. Mr. Douglas has said that we + (the Whigs) have not dared to meet them (the Locos) in argument on this + question. I protest against this assertion. I assert that we have again + and again, during this discussion, urged facts and arguments against the + subtreasury which they have neither dared to deny nor attempted to answer. + But lest some may be led to believe that we really wish to avoid the + question, I now propose, in my humble way, to urge those arguments again; + at the same time begging the audience to mark well the positions I shall + take and the proof I shall offer to sustain them, and that they will not + again permit Mr. Douglas or his friends to escape the force of them by a + round and groundless assertion that we "dare not meet them in argument." + </p> + <p> + Of the subtreasury, then, as contrasted with a national bank for the + before-enumerated purposes, I lay down the following propositions, to wit: + (1) It will injuriously affect the community by its operation on the + circulating medium. (2) It will be a more expensive fiscal agent. (3) It + will be a less secure depository of the public money. To show the truth of + the first proposition, let us take a short review of our condition under + the operation of a national bank. It was the depository of the public + revenues. Between the collection of those revenues and the disbursement of + them by the government, the bank was permitted to and did actually loan + them out to individuals, and hence the large amount of money actually + collected for revenue purposes, which by any other plan would have been + idle a great portion of the time, was kept almost constantly in + circulation. Any person who will reflect that money is only valuable while + in circulation will readily perceive that any device which will keep the + government revenues in constant circulation, instead of being locked up in + idleness, is no inconsiderable advantage. By the subtreasury the revenue + is to be collected and kept in iron boxes until the government wants it + for disbursement; thus robbing the people of the use of it, while the + government does not itself need it, and while the money is performing no + nobler office than that of rusting in iron boxes. The natural effect of + this change of policy, every one will see, is to reduce the quantity of + money in circulation. But, again, by the subtreasury scheme the revenue is + to be collected in specie. I anticipate that this will be disputed. I + expect to hear it said that it is not the policy of the administration to + collect the revenue in specie. If it shall, I reply that Mr. Van Buren, in + his message recommending the subtreasury, expended nearly a column of that + document in an attempt to persuade Congress to provide for the collection + of the revenue in specie exclusively; and he concludes with these words: + </p> + <p> + "It may be safely assumed that no motive of convenience to the citizens + requires the reception of bank paper." In addition to this, Mr. Silas + Wright, Senator from New York, and the political, personal and + confidential friend of Mr. Van Buren, drafted and introduced into the + Senate the first subtreasury bill, and that bill provided for ultimately + collecting the revenue in specie. It is true, I know, that that clause was + stricken from the bill, but it was done by the votes of the Whigs, aided + by a portion only of the Van Buren senators. No subtreasury bill has yet + become a law, though two or three have been considered by Congress, some + with and some without the specie clause; so that I admit there is room for + quibbling upon the question of whether the administration favor the + exclusive specie doctrine or not; but I take it that the fact that the + President at first urged the specie doctrine, and that under his + recommendation the first bill introduced embraced it, warrants us in + charging it as the policy of the party until their head as publicly + recants it as he at first espoused it. I repeat, then, that by the + subtreasury the revenue is to be collected in specie. Now mark what the + effect of this must be. By all estimates ever made there are but between + sixty and eighty millions of specie in the United States. The expenditures + of the Government for the year 1838—the last for which we have had + the report—were forty millions. Thus it is seen that if the whole + revenue be collected in specie, it will take more than half of all the + specie in the nation to do it. By this means more than half of all the + specie belonging to the fifteen millions of souls who compose the whole + population of the country is thrown into the hands of the public + office-holders, and other public creditors comprising in number perhaps + not more than one quarter of a million, leaving the other fourteen + millions and three quarters to get along as they best can, with less than + one half of the specie of the country, and whatever rags and shinplasters + they may be able to put, and keep, in circulation. By this means, every + office-holder and other public creditor may, and most likely will, set up + shaver; and a most glorious harvest will the specie-men have of it,—each + specie-man, upon a fair division, having to his share the fleecing of + about fifty-nine rag-men. In all candor let me ask, was such a system for + benefiting the few at the expense of the many ever before devised? And was + the sacred name of Democracy ever before made to indorse such an enormity + against the rights of the people? + </p> + <p> + I have already said that the subtreasury will reduce the quantity of money + in circulation. This position is strengthened by the recollection that the + revenue is to be collected in Specie, so that the mere amount of revenue + is not all that is withdrawn, but the amount of paper circulation that the + forty millions would serve as a basis to is withdrawn, which would be in a + sound state at least one hundred millions. When one hundred millions, or + more, of the circulation we now have shall be withdrawn, who can + contemplate without terror the distress, ruin, bankruptcy, and beggary + that must follow? The man who has purchased any article—say a horse—on + credit, at one hundred dollars, when there are two hundred millions + circulating in the country, if the quantity be reduced to one hundred + millions by the arrival of pay-day, will find the horse but sufficient to + pay half the debt; and the other half must either be paid out of his other + means, and thereby become a clear loss to him, or go unpaid, and thereby + become a clear loss to his creditor. What I have here said of a single + case of the purchase of a horse will hold good in every case of a debt + existing at the time a reduction in the quantity of money occurs, by + whomsoever, and for whatsoever, it may have been contracted. It may be + said that what the debtor loses the creditor gains by this operation; but + on examination this will be found true only to a very limited extent. It + is more generally true that all lose by it—the creditor by losing + more of his debts than he gains by the increased value of those he + collects; the debtor by either parting with more of his property to pay + his debts than he received in contracting them, or by entirely breaking up + his business, and thereby being thrown upon the world in idleness. + </p> + <p> + The general distress thus created will, to be sure, be temporary, because, + whatever change may occur in the quantity of money in any community, time + will adjust the derangement produced; but while that adjustment is + progressing, all suffer more or less, and very many lose everything that + renders life desirable. Why, then, shall we suffer a severe difficulty, + even though it be but temporary, unless we receive some equivalent for it? + </p> + <p> + What I have been saying as to the effect produced by a reduction of the + quantity of money relates to the whole country. I now propose to show that + it would produce a peculiar and permanent hardship upon the citizens of + those States and Territories in which the public lands lie. The + land-offices in those States and Territories, as all know, form the great + gulf by which all, or nearly all, the money in them is swallowed up. When + the quantity of money shall be reduced, and consequently everything under + individual control brought down in proportion, the price of those lands, + being fixed by law, will remain as now. Of necessity it will follow that + the produce or labor that now raises money sufficient to purchase eighty + acres will then raise but sufficient to purchase forty, or perhaps not + that much; and this difficulty and hardship will last as long, in some + degree, as any portion of these lands shall remain undisposed of. Knowing, + as I well do, the difficulty that poor people now encounter in procuring + homes, I hesitate not to say that when the price of the public lands shall + be doubled or trebled, or, which is the same thing, produce and labor cut + down to one half or one third of their present prices, it will be little + less than impossible for them to procure those homes at all.... + </p> + <p> + Well, then, what did become of him? (Postmaster General Barry) Why, the + President immediately expressed his high disapprobation of his almost + unequaled incapacity and corruption by appointing him to a foreign + mission, with a salary and outfit of $18,000 a year! The party now attempt + to throw Barry off, and to avoid the responsibility of his sins. Did not + the President indorse those sins when, on the very heel of their + commission, he appointed their author to the very highest and most + honorable office in his gift, and which is but a single step behind the + very goal of American political ambition? + </p> + <p> + I return to another of Mr. Douglas's excuses for the expenditures of 1838, + at the same time announcing the pleasing intelligence that this is the + last one. He says that ten millions of that year's expenditure was a + contingent appropriation, to prosecute an anticipated war with Great + Britain on the Maine boundary question. Few words will settle this. First, + that the ten millions appropriated was not made till 1839, and + consequently could not have been expended in 1838; second, although it was + appropriated, it has never been expended at all. Those who heard Mr. + Douglas recollect that he indulged himself in a contemptuous expression of + pity for me. "Now he's got me," thought I. But when he went on to say that + five millions of the expenditure of 1838 were payments of the French + indemnities, which I knew to be untrue; that five millions had been for + the post-office, which I knew to be untrue; that ten millions had been for + the Maine boundary war, which I not only knew to be untrue, but supremely + ridiculous also; and when I saw that he was stupid enough to hope that I + would permit such groundless and audacious assertions to go unexposed,—I + readily consented that, on the score both of veracity and sagacity, the + audience should judge whether he or I were the more deserving of the + world's contempt. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Lamborn insists that the difference between the Van Buren party and + the Whigs is that, although the former sometimes err in practice, they are + always correct in principle, whereas the latter are wrong in principle; + and, better to impress this proposition, he uses a figurative expression + in these words: "The Democrats are vulnerable in the heel, but they are + sound in the head and the heart." The first branch of the figure—that + is, that the Democrats are vulnerable in the heel—I admit is not + merely figuratively, but literally true. Who that looks but for a moment + at their Swartwouts, their Prices, their Harringtons, and their hundreds + of others, scampering away with the public money to Texas, to Europe, and + to every spot of the earth where a villain may hope to find refuge from + justice, can at all doubt that they are most distressingly affected in + their heels with a species of "running itch"? It seems that this malady of + their heels operates on these sound-headed and honest-hearted creatures + very much like the cork leg in the comic song did on its owner: which, + when he had once got started on it, the more he tried to stop it, the more + it would run away. At the hazard of wearing this point threadbare, I will + relate an anecdote which seems too strikingly in point to be omitted. A + witty Irish soldier, who was always boasting of his bravery when no danger + was near, but who invariably retreated without orders at the first charge + of an engagement, being asked by his captain why he did so, replied: + "Captain, I have as brave a heart as Julius Caesar ever had; but, somehow + or other, whenever danger approaches, my cowardly legs will run away with + it." So with Mr. Lamborn's party. They take the public money into their + hand for the most laudable purpose that wise heads and honest hearts can + dictate; but before they can possibly get it out again, their rascally + "vulnerable heels" will run away with them. + </p> + <p> + Seriously this proposition of Mr. Lamborn is nothing more or less than a + request that his party may be tried by their professions instead of their + practices. Perhaps no position that the party assumes is more liable to or + more deserving of exposure than this very modest request; and nothing but + the unwarrantable length to which I have already extended these remarks + forbids me now attempting to expose it. For the reason given, I pass it + by. + </p> + <p> + I shall advert to but one more point. Mr. Lamborn refers to the late + elections in the States, and from their results confidently predicts that + every State in the Union will vote for Mr. Van Buren at the next + Presidential election. Address that argument to cowards and to knaves; + with the free and the brave it will effect nothing. It may be true; if it + must, let it. Many free countries have lost their liberty, and ours may + lose hers; but if she shall, be it my proudest plume, not that I was the + last to desert, but that I never deserted her. I know that the great + volcano at Washington, aroused and directed by the evil spirit that reigns + there, is belching forth the lava of political corruption in a current + broad and deep, which is sweeping with frightful velocity over the whole + length and breadth of the land, bidding fair to leave unscathed no green + spot or living thing; while on its bosom are riding, like demons on the + waves of hell, the imps of that evil spirit, and fiendishly taunting all + those who dare resist its destroying course with the hopelessness of their + effort; and, knowing this, I cannot deny that all may be swept away. + Broken by it I, too, may be; bow to it I never will. The probability that + we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a + cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me. If ever I feel the + soul within me elevate and expand to those dimensions not wholly unworthy + of its almighty Architect, it is when I contemplate the cause of my + country deserted by all the world beside, and I standing up boldly and + alone, and hurling defiance at her victorious oppressors. Here, without + contemplating consequences, before high heaven and in the face of the + world, I swear eternal fidelity to the just cause, as I deem it, of the + land of my life, my liberty, and my love. And who that thinks with me will + not fearlessly adopt the oath that I take? Let none falter who thinks he + is right, and we may succeed. But if, after all, we shall fail, be it so. + We still shall have the proud consolation of saying to our consciences, + and to the departed shade of our country's freedom, that the cause + approved of our judgment, and adored of our hearts, in disaster, in + chains, in torture, in death, we never faltered in defending. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOHN T. STUART. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, December 23, 1839. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR STUART: + </p> + <p> + Dr. Henry will write you all the political news. I write this about some + little matters of business. You recollect you told me you had drawn the + Chicago Masark money, and sent it to the claimants. A hawk-billed Yankee + is here besetting me at every turn I take, saying that Robert Kinzie never + received the eighty dollars to which he was entitled. Can you tell me + anything about the matter? Again, old Mr. Wright, who lives up South Fork + somewhere, is teasing me continually about some deeds which he says he + left with you, but which I can find nothing of. Can you tell me where they + are? The Legislature is in session and has suffered the bank to forfeit + its charter without benefit of clergy. There seems to be little + disposition to resuscitate it. + </p> + <p> + Whenever a letter comes from you to Mrs.____________ I carry it to her, + and then I see Betty; she is a tolerable nice "fellow" now. Maybe I will + write again when I get more time. + </p> + <p> + Your friend as ever, A. LINCOLN + </p> + <p> + P. S.—The Democratic giant is here, but he is not much worth talking + about. A.L. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1840 + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CIRCULAR FROM WHIG COMMITTEE. + </h2> + <h3> + Confidential. + </h3> + <p> + January [1?], 1840. + </p> + <p> + To MESSRS ——— + </p> + <p> + GENTLEMEN:—In obedience to a resolution of the Whig State + convention, we have appointed you the Central Whig Committee of your + county. The trust confided to you will be one of watchfulness and labor; + but we hope the glory of having contributed to the overthrow of the + corrupt powers that now control our beloved country will be a sufficient + reward for the time and labor you will devote to it. Our Whig brethren + throughout the Union have met in convention, and after due deliberation + and mutual concessions have elected candidates for the Presidency and + Vice-Presidency not only worthy of our cause, but worthy of the support of + every true patriot who would have our country redeemed, and her + institutions honestly and faithfully administered. To overthrow the + trained bands that are opposed to us whose salaried officers are ever on + the watch, and whose misguided followers are ever ready to obey their + smallest commands, every Whig must not only know his duty, but must firmly + resolve, whatever of time and labor it may cost, boldly and faithfully to + do it. Our intention is to organize the whole State, so that every Whig + can be brought to the polls in the coming Presidential contest. We cannot + do this, however, without your co-operation; and as we do our duty, so we + shall expect you to do yours. After due deliberation, the following is the + plan of organization, and the duties required of each county committee: + </p> + <p> + (1) To divide their county into small districts, and to appoint in each a + subcommittee, whose duty it shall be to make a perfect list of all the + voters in their respective districts, and to ascertain with certainty for + whom they will vote. If they meet with men who are doubtful as to the man + they will support, such voters should be designated in separate lines, + with the name of the man they will probably support. + </p> + <p> + (2) It will be the duty of said subcommittee to keep a constant watch on + the doubtful voters, and from time to time have them talked to by those in + whom they have the most confidence, and also to place in their hands such + documents as will enlighten and influence them. + </p> + <p> + (3) It will also be their duty to report to you, at least once a month, + the progress they are making, and on election days see that every Whig is + brought to the polls. + </p> + <p> + (4) The subcommittees should be appointed immediately; and by the last of + April, at least, they should make their first report. + </p> + <p> + (5) On the first of each month hereafter we shall expect to hear from you. + After the first report of your subcommittees, unless there should be found + a great many doubtful voters, you can tell pretty accurately the manner in + which your county will vote. In each of your letters to us, you will state + the number of certain votes both for and against us, as well as the number + of doubtful votes, with your opinion of the manner in which they will be + cast. + </p> + <p> + (6) When we have heard from all the counties, we shall be able to tell + with similar accuracy the political complexion of the State. This + information will be forwarded to you as soon as received. + </p> + <p> + (7) Inclosed is a prospectus for a newspaper to be continued until after + the Presidential election. It will be superintended by ourselves, and + every Whig in the State must take it. It will be published so low that + every one can afford it. You must raise a fund and forward us for extra + copies,—every county ought to send—fifty or one hundred + dollars,—and the copies will be forwarded to you for distribution + among our political opponents. The paper will be devoted exclusively to + the great cause in which we are engaged. Procure subscriptions, and + forward them to us immediately. + </p> + <p> + (8) Immediately after any election in your county, you must inform us of + its results; and as early as possible after any general election we will + give you the like information. + </p> + <p> + (9) A senator in Congress is to be elected by our next Legislature. Let no + local interests divide you, but select candidates that can succeed. + </p> + <p> + (10) Our plan of operations will of course be concealed from every one + except our good friends who of right ought to know them. + </p> + <p> + Trusting much in our good cause, the strength of our candidates, and the + determination of the Whigs everywhere to do their duty, we go to the work + of organization in this State confident of success. We have the numbers, + and if properly organized and exerted, with the gallant Harrison at our + head, we shall meet our foes and conquer them in all parts of the Union. + </p> + <p> + Address your letters to Dr. A. G. Henry, R. F, Barrett; A. Lincoln, E. D. + Baker, J. F. Speed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0035" id="link2H_4_0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOHN T. STUART. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, March 1, 1840 + </h3> + <p> + DEAR STUART: + </p> + <p> + I have never seen the prospects of our party so bright in these parts as + they are now. We shall carry this county by a larger majority than we did + in 1836, when you ran against May. I do not think my prospects, + individually, are very flattering, for I think it probable I shall not be + permitted to be a candidate; but the party ticket will succeed + triumphantly. Subscriptions to the "Old Soldier" pour in without + abatement. This morning I took from the post office a letter from Dubois + enclosing the names of sixty subscribers, and on carrying it to Francis I + found he had received one hundred and forty more from other quarters by + the same day's mail. That is but an average specimen of every day's + receipts. Yesterday Douglas, having chosen to consider himself insulted by + something in the Journal, undertook to cane Francis in the street. Francis + caught him by the hair and jammed him back against a market cart where the + matter ended by Francis being pulled away from him. The whole affair was + so ludicrous that Francis and everybody else (Douglass excepted) have been + laughing about it ever since. + </p> + <p> + I send you the names of some of the V.B. men who have come out for + Harrison about town, and suggest that you send them some documents. + </p> + <p> + Moses Coffman (he let us appoint him a delegate yesterday), Aaron Coffman, + George Gregory, H. M. Briggs, Johnson (at Birchall's Bookstore), Michael + Glyn, Armstrong (not Hosea nor Hugh, but a carpenter), Thomas Hunter, + Moses Pileher (he was always a Whig and deserves attention), Matthew + Crowder Jr., Greenberry Smith; John Fagan, George Fagan, William Fagan + (these three fell out with us about Early, and are doubtful now), John M. + Cartmel, Noah Rickard, John Rickard, Walter Marsh. + </p> + <p> + The foregoing should be addressed at Springfield. + </p> + <p> + Also send some to Solomon Miller and John Auth at Salisbury. Also to + Charles Harper, Samuel Harper, and B. C. Harper, and T. J. Scroggins, John + Scroggins at Pulaski, Logan County. + </p> + <p> + Speed says he wrote you what Jo Smith said about you as he passed here. We + will procure the names of some of his people here, and send them to you + before long. Speed also says you must not fail to send us the New York + Journal he wrote for some time since. + </p> + <p> + Evan Butler is jealous that you never send your compliments to him. You + must not neglect him next time. + </p> + <p> + Your friend, as ever, A. LINCOLN + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0036" id="link2H_4_0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + RESOLUTION IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. + </h2> + <h3> + November 28, 1840. + </h3> + <p> + In the Illinois House of Representatives, November 28, 1840, Mr. Lincoln + offered the following: + </p> + <p> + Resolved, That so much of the governor's message as relates to fraudulent + voting, and other fraudulent practices at elections, be referred to the + Committee on Elections, with instructions to said committee to prepare and + report to the House a bill for such an act as may in their judgment afford + the greatest possible protection of the elective franchise against all + frauds of all sorts whatever. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + RESOLUTION IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. + </h2> + <h3> + December 2, 1840. + </h3> + <p> + Resolved, That the Committee on Education be instructed to inquire into + the expediency of providing by law for the examination as to the + qualification of persons offering themselves as school teachers, that no + teacher shall receive any part of the public school fund who shall not + have successfully passed such examination, and that they report by bill or + otherwise. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0038" id="link2H_4_0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + REMARKS IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. + </h2> + <h3> + December 4, 1840 + </h3> + <p> + In the House of Representatives, Illinois, December 4, 1840, on + presentation of a report respecting petition of H. N. Purple, claiming the + seat of Mr. Phelps from Peoria, Mr. Lincoln moved that the House resolve + itself into Committee of the Whole on the question, and take it up + immediately. Mr. Lincoln considered the question of the highest importance + whether an individual had a right to sit in this House or not. The course + he should propose would be to take up the evidence and decide upon the + facts seriatim. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Drummond wanted time; they could not decide in the heat of debate, + etc. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Lincoln thought that the question had better be gone into now. In + courts of law jurors were required to decide on evidence, without previous + study or examination. They were required to know nothing of the subject + until the evidence was laid before them for their immediate decision. He + thought that the heat of party would be augmented by delay. + </p> + <p> + The Speaker called Mr. Lincoln to order as being irrelevant; no mention + had been made of party heat. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Drummond said he had only spoken of debate. Mr. Lincoln asked what + caused the heat, if it was not party? Mr. Lincoln concluded by urging that + the question would be decided now better than hereafter, and he thought + with less heat and excitement. + </p> + <p> + (Further debate, in which Lincoln participated.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0039" id="link2H_4_0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + REMARKS IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. + </h2> + <h3> + December 4, 1840. + </h3> + <p> + In the Illinois House of Representatives, December 4, 1840, House in + Committee of the Whole on the bill providing for payment of interest on + the State debt,—Mr. Lincoln moved to strike out the body and + amendments of the bill, and insert in lieu thereof an amendment which in + substance was that the governor be authorized to issue bonds for the + payment of the interest; that these be called "interest bonds"; that the + taxes accruing on Congress lands as they become taxable be irrevocably set + aside and devoted as a fund to the payment of the interest bonds. Mr. + Lincoln went into the reasons which appeared to him to render this plan + preferable to that of hypothecating the State bonds. By this course we + could get along till the next meeting of the Legislature, which was of + great importance. To the objection which might be urged that these + interest bonds could not be cashed, he replied that if our other bonds + could, much more could these, which offered a perfect security, a fund + being irrevocably set aside to provide for their redemption. To another + objection, that we should be paying compound interest, he would reply that + the rapid growth and increase of our resources was in so great a ratio as + to outstrip the difficulty; that his object was to do the best that could + be done in the present emergency. All agreed that the faith of the State + must be preserved; this plan appeared to him preferable to a hypothecation + of bonds, which would have to be redeemed and the interest paid. How this + was to be done, he could not see; therefore he had, after turning the + matter over in every way, devised this measure, which would carry us on + till the next Legislature. + </p> + <p> + (Mr. Lincoln spoke at some length, advocating his measure.) + </p> + <p> + Lincoln advocated his measure, December 11, 1840. + </p> + <p> + December 12, 1840, he had thought some permanent provision ought to be + made for the bonds to be hypothecated, but was satisfied taxation and + revenue could not be connected with it now. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0040" id="link2H_4_0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1841 + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0041" id="link2H_4_0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOHN T. STUART—ON DEPRESSION + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, Jan 23, 1841 + </h3> + <p> + DEAR STUART: I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were + equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one + cheerful face on earth. Whether I shall ever be better, I cannot tell; I + awfully forbode I shall not. To remain as I am is impossible. I must die + or be better, as it appears to me.... I fear I shall be unable to attend + any business here, and a change of scene might help me. If I could be + myself, I would rather remain at home with Judge Logan. I can write no + more. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0042" id="link2H_4_0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + REMARKS IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. + </h2> + <h3> + January 23, 1841 + </h3> + <p> + In the House of Representatives January 23, 1841, while discussing the + continuation of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, Mr. Moore was afraid the + holders of the "scrip" would lose. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Napier thought there was no danger of that; and Mr. Lincoln said he + had not examined to see what amount of scrip would probably be needed. The + principal point in his mind was this, that nobody was obliged to take + these certificates. It is altogether voluntary on their part, and if they + apprehend it will fall in their hands they will not take it. Further the + loss, if any there be, will fall on the citizens of that section of the + country. + </p> + <p> + This scrip is not going to circulate over an extensive range of country, + but will be confined chiefly to the vicinity of the canal. Now, we find + the representatives of that section of the country are all in favor of the + bill. + </p> + <p> + When we propose to protect their interests, they say to us: Leave us to + take care of ourselves; we are willing to run the risk. And this is + reasonable; we must suppose they are competent to protect their own + interests, and it is only fair to let them do it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0043" id="link2H_4_0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CIRCULAR FROM WHIG COMMITTEE. + </h2> + <h3> + February 9, 1841. + </h3> + <p> + Appeal to the People of the State of Illinois. + </p> + <p> + FELLOW-CITIZENS:—When the General Assembly, now about adjourning, + assembled in November last, from the bankrupt state of the public + treasury, the pecuniary embarrassments prevailing in every department of + society, the dilapidated state of the public works, and the impending + danger of the degradation of the State, you had a right to expect that + your representatives would lose no time in devising and adopting measures + to avert threatened calamities, alleviate the distresses of the people, + and allay the fearful apprehensions in regard to the future prosperity of + the State. It was not expected by you that the spirit of party would take + the lead in the councils of the State, and make every interest bend to its + demands. Nor was it expected that any party would assume to itself the + entire control of legislation, and convert the means and offices of the + State, and the substance of the people, into aliment for party + subsistence. Neither could it have been expected by you that party spirit, + however strong its desires and unreasonable its demands, would have passed + the sanctuary of the Constitution, and entered with its unhallowed and + hideous form into the formation of the judiciary system. + </p> + <p> + At the early period of the session, measures were adopted by the dominant + party to take possession of the State, to fill all public offices with + party men, and make every measure affecting the interests of the people + and the credit of the State operate in furtherance of their party views. + The merits of men and measures therefore became the subject of discussion + in caucus, instead of the halls of legislation, and decisions there made + by a minority of the Legislature have been executed and carried into + effect by the force of party discipline, without any regard whatever to + the rights of the people or the interests of the State. The Supreme Court + of the State was organized, and judges appointed, according to the + provisions of the Constitution, in 1824. The people have never complained + of the organization of that court; no attempt has ever before been made to + change that department. Respect for public opinion, and regard for the + rights and liberties of the people, have hitherto restrained the spirit of + party from attacks upon the independence and integrity of the judiciary. + The same judges have continued in office since 1824; their decisions have + not been the subject of complaint among the people; the integrity and + honesty of the court have not been questioned, and it has never been + supposed that the court has ever permitted party prejudice or party + considerations to operate upon their decisions. The court was made to + consist of four judges, and by the Constitution two form a quorum for the + transaction of business. With this tribunal, thus constituted, the people + have been satisfied for near sixteen years. The same law which organized + the Supreme Court in 1824 also established and organized circuit courts to + be held in each county in the State, and five circuit judges were + appointed to hold those courts. In 1826 the Legislature abolished these + circuit courts, repealed the judges out of office, and required the judges + of the Supreme Court to hold the circuit courts. The reasons assigned for + this change were, first, that the business of the country could be better + attended to by the four judges of the Supreme Court than by the two sets + of judges; and, second, the state of the public treasury forbade the + employment of unnecessary officers. In 1828 a circuit was established + north of the Illinois River, in order to meet the wants of the people, and + a circuit judge was appointed to hold the courts in that circuit. + </p> + <p> + In 1834 the circuit-court system was again established throughout the + State, circuit judges appointed to hold the courts, and the judges of the + Supreme Court were relieved from the performance of circuit court duties. + The change was recommended by the then acting governor of the State, + General W. L. D. Ewing, in the following terms: + </p> + <p> + "The augmented population of the State, the multiplied number of organized + counties, as well as the increase of business in all, has long since + convinced every one conversant with this department of our government of + the indispensable necessity of an alteration in our judiciary system, and + the subject is therefore recommended to the earnest patriotic + consideration of the Legislature. The present system has never been exempt + from serious and weighty objections. The idea of appealing from the + circuit court to the same judges in the Supreme Court is recommended by + little hopes of redress to the injured party below. The duties of the + circuit, too, it may be added, consume one half of the year, leaving a + small and inadequate portion of time (when that required for domestic + purposes is deducted) to erect, in the decisions of the Supreme Court, a + judicial monument of legal learning and research, which the talent and + ability of the court might otherwise be entirely competent to." + </p> + <p> + With this organization of circuit courts the people have never complained. + The only complaints which we have heard have come from circuits which were + so large that the judges could not dispose of the business, and the + circuits in which Judges Pearson and Ralston lately presided. + </p> + <p> + Whilst the honor and credit of the State demanded legislation upon the + subject of the public debt, the canal, the unfinished public works, and + the embarrassments of the people, the judiciary stood upon a basis which + required no change—no legislative action. Yet the party in power, + neglecting every interest requiring legislative action, and wholly + disregarding the rights, wishes, and interests of the people, has, for the + unholy purpose of providing places for its partisans and supplying them + with large salaries, disorganized that department of the government. + Provision is made for the election of five party judges of the Supreme + Court, the proscription of four circuit judges, and the appointment of + party clerks in more than half the counties of the State. Men professing + respect for public opinion, and acknowledged to be leaders of the party, + have avowed in the halls of legislation that the change in the judiciary + was intended to produce political results favorable to their party and + party friends. The immutable principles of justice are to make way for + party interests, and the bonds of social order are to be rent in twain, in + order that a desperate faction may be sustained at the expense of the + people. The change proposed in the judiciary was supported upon grounds so + destructive to the institutions of the country, and so entirely at war + with the rights and liberties of the people, that the party could not + secure entire unanimity in its support, three Democrats of the Senate and + five of the House voting against the measure. They were unwilling to see + the temples of justice and the seats of independent judges occupied by the + tools of faction. The declarations of the party leaders, the selection of + party men for judges, and the total disregard for the public will in the + adoption of the measure, prove conclusively that the object has been not + reform, but destruction; not the advancement of the highest interests of + the State, but the predominance of party. + </p> + <p> + We cannot in this manner undertake to point out all the objections to this + party measure; we present you with those stated by the Council of Revision + upon returning the bill, and we ask for them a candid consideration. + </p> + <p> + Believing that the independence of the judiciary has been destroyed, that + hereafter our courts will be independent of the people, and entirely + dependent upon the Legislature; that our rights of property and liberty of + conscience can no longer be regarded as safe from the encroachments of + unconstitutional legislation; and knowing of no other remedy which can be + adopted consistently with the peace and good order of society, we call + upon you to avail yourselves of the opportunity afforded, and, at the next + general election, vote for a convention of the people. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + S. H. LITTLE, + E. D. BAKER, + J. J. HARDIN, + E. B. WEBS, + A. LINCOLN, + J. GILLESPIE, + + Committee on behalf of the Whig members of the Legislature. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0044" id="link2H_4_0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + AGAINST THE REORGANIZATION OF THE JUDICIARY. + </h2> + <h3> + EXTRACT FROM A PROTEST IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE + </h3> + <p> + February 26, 1841 + </p> + <p> + For the reasons thus presented, and for others no less apparent, the + undersigned cannot assent to the passage of the bill, or permit it to + become a law, without this evidence of their disapprobation; and they now + protest against the reorganization of the judiciary, because—(1) It + violates the great principles of free government by subjecting the + judiciary to the Legislature. (2) It is a fatal blow at the independence + of the judges and the constitutional term of their office. (3) It is a + measure not asked for, or wished for, by the people. (4) It will greatly + increase the expense of our courts, or else greatly diminish their + utility. (5) It will give our courts a political and partisan character, + thereby impairing public confidence in their decisions. (6) It will impair + our standing with other States and the world. (7)It is a party measure for + party purposes, from which no practical good to the people can possibly + arise, but which may be the source of immeasurable evils. + </p> + <p> + The undersigned are well aware that this protest will be altogether + unavailing with the majority of this body. The blow has already fallen, + and we are compelled to stand by, the mournful spectators of the ruin it + will cause. + </p> + <p> + [Signed by 35 members, among whom was Abraham Lincoln.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0045" id="link2H_4_0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOSHUA F. SPEED—MURDER CASE + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD June 19, 1841. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR SPEED:—We have had the highest state of excitement here for a + week past that our community has ever witnessed; and, although the public + feeling is somewhat allayed, the curious affair which aroused it is very + far from being even yet cleared of mystery. It would take a quire of paper + to give you anything like a full account of it, and I therefore only + propose a brief outline. The chief personages in the drama are Archibald + Fisher, supposed to be murdered, and Archibald Trailor, Henry Trailor, and + William Trailor, supposed to have murdered him. The three Trailors are + brothers: the first, Arch., as you know, lives in town; the second, Henry, + in Clary's Grove; and the third, William, in Warren County; and Fisher, + the supposed murdered, being without a family, had made his home with + William. On Saturday evening, being the 29th of May, Fisher and William + came to Henry's in a one-horse dearborn, and there stayed over Sunday; and + on Monday all three came to Springfield (Henry on horseback) and joined + Archibald at Myers's, the Dutch carpenter. That evening at supper Fisher + was missing, and so next morning some ineffectual search was made for him; + and on Tuesday, at one o'clock P.M., William and Henry started home + without him. In a day or two Henry and one or two of his Clary-Grove + neighbors came back for him again, and advertised his disappearance in the + papers. The knowledge of the matter thus far had not been general, and + here it dropped entirely, till about the 10th instant, when Keys received + a letter from the postmaster in Warren County, that William had arrived at + home, and was telling a very mysterious and improbable story about the + disappearance of Fisher, which induced the community there to suppose he + had been disposed of unfairly. Keys made this letter public, which + immediately set the whole town and adjoining county agog. And so it has + continued until yesterday. The mass of the people commenced a systematic + search for the dead body, while Wickersham was despatched to arrest Henry + Trailor at the Grove, and Jim Maxcy to Warren to arrest William. On Monday + last, Henry was brought in, and showed an evident inclination to insinuate + that he knew Fisher to be dead, and that Arch. and William had killed him. + He said he guessed the body could be found in Spring Creek, between the + Beardstown road and Hickox's mill. Away the people swept like a herd of + buffalo, and cut down Hickox's mill-dam nolens volens, to draw the water + out of the pond, and then went up and down and down and up the creek, + fishing and raking, and raking and ducking and diving for two days, and, + after all, no dead body found. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime a sort of scuffling-ground had been found in the brush in + the angle, or point, where the road leading into the woods past the + brewery and the one leading in past the brick-yard meet. From the + scuffle-ground was the sign of something about the size of a man having + been dragged to the edge of the thicket, where it joined the track of some + small-wheeled carriage drawn by one horse, as shown by the road-tracks. + The carriage-track led off toward Spring Creek. Near this drag-trail Dr. + Merryman found two hairs, which, after a long scientific examination, he + pronounced to be triangular human hairs, which term, he says, includes + within it the whiskers, the hair growing under the arms and on other parts + of the body; and he judged that these two were of the whiskers, because + the ends were cut, showing that they had flourished in the neighborhood of + the razor's operations. On Thursday last Jim Maxcy brought in William + Trailor from Warren. On the same day Arch. was arrested and put in jail. + Yesterday (Friday) William was put upon his examining trial before May and + Lovely. Archibald and Henry were both present. Lamborn prosecuted, and + Logan, Baker, and your humble servant defended. A great many witnesses + were introduced and examined, but I shall only mention those whose + testimony seemed most important. The first of these was Captain Ransdell. + He swore that when William and Henry left Springfield for home on Tuesday + before mentioned they did not take the direct route,—which, you + know, leads by the butcher shop,—but that they followed the street + north until they got opposite, or nearly opposite, May's new house, after + which he could not see them from where he stood; and it was afterwards + proved that in about an hour after they started, they came into the street + by the butcher shop from toward the brickyard. Dr. Merryman and others + swore to what is stated about the scuffle-ground, drag-trail, whiskers, + and carriage tracks. Henry was then introduced by the prosecution. He + swore that when they started for home they went out north, as Ransdell + stated, and turned down west by the brick-yard into the woods, and there + met Archibald; that they proceeded a small distance farther, when he was + placed as a sentinel to watch for and announce the approach of any one + that might happen that way; that William and Arch. took the dearborn out + of the road a small distance to the edge of the thicket, where they + stopped, and he saw them lift the body of a man into it; that they then + moved off with the carriage in the direction of Hickox's mill, and he + loitered about for something like an hour, when William returned with the + carriage, but without Arch., and said they had put him in a safe place; + that they went somehow he did not know exactly how—into the road + close to the brewery, and proceeded on to Clary's Grove. He also stated + that some time during the day William told him that he and Arch. had + killed Fisher the evening before; that the way they did it was by him + William knocking him down with a club, and Arch. then choking him to + death. + </p> + <p> + An old man from Warren, called Dr. Gilmore, was then introduced on the + part of the defense. He swore that he had known Fisher for several years; + that Fisher had resided at his house a long time at each of two different + spells—once while he built a barn for him, and once while he was + doctored for some chronic disease; that two or three years ago Fisher had + a serious hurt in his head by the bursting of a gun, since which he had + been subject to continued bad health and occasional aberration of mind. He + also stated that on last Tuesday, being the same day that Maxcy arrested + William Trailor, he (the doctor) was from home in the early part of the + day, and on his return, about eleven o'clock, found Fisher at his house in + bed, and apparently very unwell; that he asked him how he came from + Springfield; that Fisher said he had come by Peoria, and also told of + several other places he had been at more in the direction of Peoria, which + showed that he at the time of speaking did not know where he had been + wandering about in a state of derangement. He further stated that in about + two hours he received a note from one of Trailor's friends, advising him + of his arrest, and requesting him to go on to Springfield as a witness, to + testify as to the state of Fisher's health in former times; that he + immediately set off, calling up two of his neighbors as company, and, + riding all evening and all night, overtook Maxcy and William at Lewiston + in Fulton County; that Maxcy refusing to discharge Trailor upon his + statement, his two neighbors returned and he came on to Springfield. Some + question being made as to whether the doctor's story was not a + fabrication, several acquaintances of his (among whom was the same + postmaster who wrote Keys, as before mentioned) were introduced as sort of + compurgators, who swore that they knew the doctor to be of good character + for truth and veracity, and generally of good character in every way. + </p> + <p> + Here the testimony ended, and the Trailors were discharged, Arch. and + William expressing both in word and manner their entire confidence that + Fisher would be found alive at the doctor's by Galloway, Mallory, and + Myers, who a day before had been despatched for that purpose; which Henry + still protested that no power on earth could ever show Fisher alive. Thus + stands this curious affair. When the doctor's story was first made public, + it was amusing to scan and contemplate the countenances and hear the + remarks of those who had been actively in search for the dead body: some + looked quizzical, some melancholy, and some furiously angry. Porter, who + had been very active, swore he always knew the man was not dead, and that + he had not stirred an inch to hunt for him; Langford, who had taken the + lead in cutting down Hickox's mill-dam, and wanted to hang Hickox for + objecting, looked most awfully woebegone: he seemed the "victim of + unrequited affection," as represented in the comic almanacs we used to + laugh over; and Hart, the little drayman that hauled Molly home once, said + it was too damned bad to have so much trouble, and no hanging after all. + </p> + <p> + I commenced this letter on yesterday, since which I received yours of the + 13th. I stick to my promise to come to Louisville. Nothing new here except + what I have written. I have not seen ______ since my last trip, and I am + going out there as soon as I mail this letter. + </p> + <p> + Yours forever, LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0046" id="link2H_4_0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + STATEMENT ABOUT HARRY WILTON. + </h2> + <h3> + June 25, 1841 + </h3> + <p> + It having been charged in some of the public prints that Harry Wilton, + late United States marshal for the district of Illinois, had used his + office for political effect, in the appointment of deputies for the taking + of the census for the year 1840, we, the undersigned, were called upon by + Mr. Wilton to examine the papers in his possession relative to these + appointments, and to ascertain therefrom the correctness or incorrectness + of such charge. We accompanied Mr. Wilton to a room, and examined the + matter as fully as we could with the means afforded us. The only sources + of information bearing on the subject which were submitted to us were the + letters, etc., recommending and opposing the various appointments made, + and Mr. Wilton's verbal statements concerning the same. From these + letters, etc., it appears that in some instances appointments were made in + accordance with the recommendations of leading Whigs, and in opposition to + those of leading Democrats; among which instances the appointments at + Scott, Wayne, Madison, and Lawrence are the strongest. According to Mr. + Wilton's statement of the seventy-six appointments we examined, fifty-four + were of Democrats, eleven of Whigs, and eleven of unknown politics. + </p> + <p> + The chief ground of complaint against Mr. Wilton, as we had understood it, + was because of his appointment of so many Democratic candidates for the + Legislature, thus giving them a decided advantage over their Whig + opponents; and consequently our attention was directed rather particularly + to that point. We found that there were many such appointments, among + which were those in Tazewell, McLean, Iroquois, Coles, Menard, Wayne, + Washington, Fayette, etc.; and we did not learn that there was one + instance in which a Whig candidate for the Legislature had been appointed. + There was no written evidence before us showing us at what time those + appointments were made; but Mr. Wilton stated that they all with one + exception were made before those appointed became candidates for the + Legislature, and the letters, etc., recommending them all bear date + before, and most of them long before, those appointed were publicly + announced candidates. + </p> + <p> + We give the foregoing naked facts and draw no conclusions from them. + </p> + <p> + BEND. S. EDWARDS, A. LINCOLN. <a name="link2H_4_0047" id="link2H_4_0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO MISS MARY SPEED—PRACTICAL SLAVERY + </h2> + <h3> + BLOOMINGTON, ILL., September 27, 1841. + </h3> + <p> + Miss Mary Speed, Louisville, Ky. + </p> + <p> + MY FRIEND: By the way, a fine example was presented on board the boat for + contemplating the effect of condition upon human happiness. A gentleman + had purchased twelve negroes in different parts of Kentucky, and was + taking them to a farm in the South. They were chained six and six + together. A small iron clevis was around the left wrist of each, and this + fastened to the main chain by a shorter one, at a convenient distance from + the others, so that the negroes were strung together precisely like so + many fish upon a trotline. In this condition they were being separated + forever from the scenes of their childhood, their friends, their fathers + and mothers, and brothers and sisters, and many of them from their wives + and children, and going into perpetual slavery where the lash of the + master is proverbially more ruthless and unrelenting than any other; and + yet amid all these distressing circumstances, as we would think them, they + were the most cheerful and apparently happy creatures on board. One, whose + offence for which he had been sold was an overfondness for his wife, + played the fiddle almost continually, and the others danced, sang, cracked + jokes, and played various games with cards from day to day. How true it is + that 'God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb,' or in other words, that he + renders the worst of human conditions tolerable, while he permits the best + to be nothing better than tolerable. To return to the narrative: When we + reached Springfield I stayed but one day, when I started on this tedious + circuit where I now am. Do you remember my going to the city, while I was + in Kentucky, to have a tooth extracted, and making a failure of it? Well, + that same old tooth got to paining me so much that about a week since I + had it torn out, bringing with it a bit of the jawbone, the consequence of + which is that my mouth is now so sore that I can neither talk nor eat. + </p> + <p> + Your sincere friend, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0048" id="link2H_4_0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1842 + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0049" id="link2H_4_0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOSHUA F. SPEED—ON MARRIAGE + </h2> + <h3> + January 30, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + MY DEAR SPEED:—Feeling, as you know I do, the deepest solicitude for + the success of the enterprise you are engaged in, I adopt this as the last + method I can adopt to aid you, in case (which God forbid!) you shall need + any aid. I do not place what I am going to say on paper because I can say + it better that way than I could by word of mouth, but, were I to say it + orally before we part, most likely you would forget it at the very time + when it might do you some good. As I think it reasonable that you will + feel very badly some time between this and the final consummation of your + purpose, it is intended that you shall read this just at such a time. Why + I say it is reasonable that you will feel very badly yet, is because of + three special causes added to the general one which I shall mention. + </p> + <p> + The general cause is, that you are naturally of a nervous temperament; and + this I say from what I have seen of you personally, and what you have told + me concerning your mother at various times, and concerning your brother + William at the time his wife died. The first special cause is your + exposure to bad weather on your journey, which my experience clearly + proves to be very severe on defective nerves. The second is the absence of + all business and conversation of friends, which might divert your mind, + give it occasional rest from the intensity of thought which will sometimes + wear the sweetest idea threadbare and turn it to the bitterness of death. + The third is the rapid and near approach of that crisis on which all your + thoughts and feelings concentrate. + </p> + <p> + If from all these causes you shall escape and go through triumphantly, + without another "twinge of the soul," I shall be most happily but most + egregiously deceived. If, on the contrary, you shall, as I expect you will + at sometime, be agonized and distressed, let me, who have some reason to + speak with judgment on such a subject, beseech you to ascribe it to the + causes I have mentioned, and not to some false and ruinous suggestion of + the Devil. + </p> + <p> + "But," you will say, "do not your causes apply to every one engaged in a + like undertaking?" By no means. The particular causes, to a greater or + less extent, perhaps do apply in all cases; but the general one,—nervous + debility, which is the key and conductor of all the particular ones, and + without which they would be utterly harmless,—though it does pertain + to you, does not pertain to one in a thousand. It is out of this that the + painful difference between you and the mass of the world springs. + </p> + <p> + I know what the painful point with you is at all times when you are + unhappy; it is an apprehension that you do not love her as you should. + What nonsense! How came you to court her? Was it because you thought she + deserved it, and that you had given her reason to expect it? If it was for + that why did not the same reason make you court Ann Todd, and at least + twenty others of whom you can think, and to whom it would apply with + greater force than to her? Did you court her for her wealth? Why, you know + she had none. But you say you reasoned yourself into it. What do you mean + by that? Was it not that you found yourself unable to reason yourself out + of it? Did you not think, and partly form the purpose, of courting her the + first time you ever saw her or heard of her? What had reason to do with it + at that early stage? There was nothing at that time for reason to work + upon. Whether she was moral, amiable, sensible, or even of good character, + you did not, nor could then know, except, perhaps, you might infer the + last from the company you found her in. + </p> + <p> + All you then did or could know of her was her personal appearance and + deportment; and these, if they impress at all, impress the heart, and not + the head. + </p> + <p> + Say candidly, were not those heavenly black eyes the whole basis of all + your early reasoning on the subject? After you and I had once been at the + residence, did you not go and take me all the way to Lexington and back, + for no other purpose but to get to see her again, on our return on that + evening to take a trip for that express object? What earthly consideration + would you take to find her scouting and despising you, and giving herself + up to another? But of this you have no apprehension; and therefore you + cannot bring it home to your feelings. + </p> + <p> + I shall be so anxious about you that I shall want you to write by every + mail. + </p> + <p> + Your friend, LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0050" id="link2H_4_0050"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOSHUA F. SPEED. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, February 3, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR SPEED:—Your letter of the 25th January came to hand to-day. You + well know that I do not feel my own sorrows much more keenly than I do + yours, when I know of them; and yet I assure you I was not much hurt by + what you wrote me of your excessively bad feeling at the time you wrote. + Not that I am less capable of sympathizing with you now than ever, not + that I am less your friend than ever, but because I hope and believe that + your present anxiety and distress about her health and her life must and + will forever banish those horrid doubts which I know you sometimes felt as + to the truth of your affection for her. If they can once and forever be + removed (and I almost feel a presentiment that the Almighty has sent your + present affliction expressly for that object), surely nothing can come in + their stead to fill their immeasurable measure of misery. The death-scenes + of those we love are surely painful enough; but these we are prepared for + and expect to see: they happen to all, and all know they must happen. + Painful as they are, they are not an unlooked for sorrow. Should she, as + you fear, be destined to an early grave, it is indeed a great consolation + to know that she is so well prepared to meet it. Her religion, which you + once disliked so much, I will venture you now prize most highly. But I + hope your melancholy bodings as to her early death are not well founded. I + even hope that ere this reaches you she will have returned with improved + and still improving health, and that you will have met her, and forgotten + the sorrows of the past in the enjoyments of the present. I would say more + if I could, but it seems that I have said enough. It really appears to me + that you yourself ought to rejoice, and not sorrow, at this indubitable + evidence of your undying affection for her. Why, Speed, if you did not + love her although you might not wish her death, you would most certainly + be resigned to it. Perhaps this point is no longer a question with you, + and my pertinacious dwelling upon it is a rude intrusion upon your + feelings. If so, you must pardon me. You know the hell I have suffered on + that point, and how tender I am upon it. You know I do not mean wrong. I + have been quite clear of "hypo" since you left, even better than I was + along in the fall. I have seen ______ but once. She seemed very cheerful, + and so I said nothing to her about what we spoke of. + </p> + <p> + Old Uncle Billy Herndon is dead, and it is said this evening that Uncle + Ben Ferguson will not live. This, I believe, is all the news, and enough + at that unless it were better. Write me immediately on the receipt of + this. + </p> + <p> + Your friend, as ever, LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0051" id="link2H_4_0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOSHUA F. SPEED—ON DEPRESSION + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, February 13, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR SPEED:—Yours of the 1st instant came to hand three or four days + ago. When this shall reach you, you will have been Fanny's husband several + days. You know my desire to befriend you is everlasting; that I will never + cease while I know how to do anything. But you will always hereafter be on + ground that I have never occupied, and consequently, if advice were + needed, I might advise wrong. I do fondly hope, however, that you will + never again need any comfort from abroad. But should I be mistaken in + this, should excessive pleasure still be accompanied with a painful + counterpart at times, still let me urge you, as I have ever done, to + remember, in the depth and even agony of despondency, that very shortly + you are to feel well again. I am now fully convinced that you love her as + ardently as you are capable of loving. Your ever being happy in her + presence, and your intense anxiety about her health, if there were nothing + else, would place this beyond all dispute in my mind. I incline to think + it probable that your nerves will fail you occasionally for a while; but + once you get them firmly guarded now that trouble is over forever. I + think, if I were you, in case my mind were not exactly right, I would + avoid being idle. I would immediately engage in some business, or go to + making preparations for it, which would be the same thing. If you went + through the ceremony calmly, or even with sufficient composure not to + excite alarm in any present, you are safe beyond question, and in two or + three months, to say the most, will be the happiest of men. + </p> + <p> + I would desire you to give my particular respects to Fanny; but perhaps + you will not wish her to know you have received this, lest she should + desire to see it. Make her write me an answer to my last letter to her; at + any rate I would set great value upon a note or letter from her. Write me + whenever you have leisure. Yours forever, A. LINCOLN. P. S.—I have + been quite a man since you left. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0052" id="link2H_4_0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO G. B. SHELEDY. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Feb. 16, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + G. B. SHELEDY, ESQ.: + </p> + <p> + Yours of the 10th is duly received. Judge Logan and myself are doing + business together now, and we are willing to attend to your cases as you + propose. As to the terms, we are willing to attend each case you prepare + and send us for $10 (when there shall be no opposition) to be sent in + advance, or you to know that it is safe. It takes $5.75 of cost to start + upon, that is, $1.75 to clerk, and $2 to each of two publishers of papers. + Judge Logan thinks it will take the balance of $20 to carry a case + through. This must be advanced from time to time as the services are + performed, as the officers will not act without. I do not know whether you + can be admitted an attorney of the Federal court in your absence or not; + nor is it material, as the business can be done in our names. + </p> + <p> + Thinking it may aid you a little, I send you one of our blank forms of + Petitions. It, you will see, is framed to be sworn to before the Federal + court clerk, and, in your cases, will have [to] be so far changed as to be + sworn to before the clerk of your circuit court; and his certificate must + be accompanied with his official seal. The schedules, too, must be + attended to. Be sure that they contain the creditors' names, their + residences, the amounts due each, the debtors' names, their residences, + and the amounts they owe, also all property and where located. + </p> + <p> + Also be sure that the schedules are all signed by the applicants as well + as the Petition. Publication will have to be made here in one paper, and + in one nearest the residence of the applicant. Write us in each case where + the last advertisement is to be sent, whether to you or to what paper. + </p> + <p> + I believe I have now said everything that can be of any advantage. Your + friend as ever, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0053" id="link2H_4_0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO GEORGE E. PICKETT—ADVICE TO YOUTH + </h2> + <h3> + February 22, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + I never encourage deceit, and falsehood, especially if you have got a bad + memory, is the worst enemy a fellow can have. The fact is truth is your + truest friend, no matter what the circumstances are. Notwithstanding this + copy-book preamble, my boy, I am inclined to suggest a little prudence on + your part. You see I have a congenital aversion to failure, and the sudden + announcement to your Uncle Andrew of the success of your "lamp rubbing" + might possibly prevent your passing the severe physical examination to + which you will be subjected in order to enter the Military Academy. You + see I should like to have a perfect soldier credited to dear old Illinois—no + broken bones, scalp wounds, etc. So I think it might be wise to hand this + letter from me in to your good uncle through his room-window after he has + had a comfortable dinner, and watch its effect from the top of the + pigeon-house. + </p> + <p> + I have just told the folks here in Springfield on this 111th anniversary + of the birth of him whose name, mightiest in the cause of civil liberty, + still mightiest in the cause of moral reformation, we mention in solemn + awe, in naked, deathless splendor, that the one victory we can ever call + complete will be that one which proclaims that there is not one slave or + one drunkard on the face of God's green earth. Recruit for this victory. + </p> + <p> + Now, boy, on your march, don't you go and forget the old maxim that "one + drop of honey catches more flies than a half-gallon of gall." Load your + musket with this maxim, and smoke it in your pipe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0054" id="link2H_4_0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ADDRESS BEFORE THE SPRINGFIELD WASHINGTONIAN TEMPERANCE SOCIETY, + </h2> + <h3> + FEBRUARY 22, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + Although the temperance cause has been in progress for near twenty years, + it is apparent to all that it is just now being crowned with a degree of + success hitherto unparalleled. + </p> + <p> + The list of its friends is daily swelled by the additions of fifties, of + hundreds, and of thousands. The cause itself seems suddenly transformed + from a cold abstract theory to a living, breathing, active, and powerful + chieftain, going forth "conquering and to conquer." The citadels of his + great adversary are daily being stormed and dismantled; his temple and his + altars, where the rites of his idolatrous worship have long been + performed, and where human sacrifices have long been wont to be made, are + daily desecrated and deserted. The triumph of the conqueror's fame is + sounding from hill to hill, from sea to sea, and from land to land, and + calling millions to his standard at a blast. + </p> + <p> + For this new and splendid success we heartily rejoice. That that success + is so much greater now than heretofore is doubtless owing to rational + causes; and if we would have it continue, we shall do well to inquire what + those causes are. + </p> + <p> + The warfare heretofore waged against the demon intemperance has somehow or + other been erroneous. Either the champions engaged or the tactics they + adopted have not been the most proper. These champions for the most part + have been preachers, lawyers, and hired agents. Between these and the mass + of mankind there is a want of approachability, if the term be admissible, + partially, at least, fatal to their success. They are supposed to have no + sympathy of feeling or interest with those very persons whom it is their + object to convince and persuade. + </p> + <p> + And again, it is so common and so easy to ascribe motives to men of these + classes other than those they profess to act upon. The preacher, it is + said, advocates temperance because he is a fanatic, and desires a union of + the Church and State; the lawyer from his pride and vanity of hearing + himself speak; and the hired agent for his salary. But when one who has + long been known as a victim of intemperance bursts the fetters that have + bound him, and appears before his neighbors "clothed and in his right + mind," a redeemed specimen of long-lost humanity, and stands up, with + tears of joy trembling in his eyes, to tell of the miseries once endured, + now to be endured no more forever; of his once naked and starving + children, now clad and fed comfortably; of a wife long weighed down with + woe, weeping, and a broken heart, now restored to health, happiness, and a + renewed affection; and how easily it is all done, once it is resolved to + be done; how simple his language! there is a logic and an eloquence in it + that few with human feelings can resist. They cannot say that he desires a + union of Church and State, for he is not a church member; they cannot say + he is vain of hearing himself speak, for his whole demeanor shows he would + gladly avoid speaking at all; they cannot say he speaks for pay, for he + receives none, and asks for none. Nor can his sincerity in any way be + doubted, or his sympathy for those he would persuade to imitate his + example be denied. + </p> + <p> + In my judgment, it is to the battles of this new class of champions that + our late success is greatly, perhaps chiefly, owing. But, had the + old-school champions themselves been of the most wise selecting, was their + system of tactics the most judicious? It seems to me it was not. Too much + denunciation against dram-sellers and dram-drinkers was indulged in. This + I think was both impolitic and unjust. It was impolitic, because it is not + much in the nature of man to be driven to anything; still less to be + driven about that which is exclusively his own business; and least of all + where such driving is to be submitted to at the expense of pecuniary + interest or burning appetite. When the dram-seller and drinker were + incessantly told not in accents of entreaty and persuasion, diffidently + addressed by erring man to an erring brother, but in the thundering tones + of anathema and denunciation with which the lordly judge often groups + together all the crimes of the felon's life, and thrusts them in his face + just ere he passes sentence of death upon him that they were the authors + of all the vice and misery and crime in the land; that they were the + manufacturers and material of all the thieves and robbers and murderers + that infest the earth; that their houses were the workshops of the devil; + and that their persons should be shunned by all the good and virtuous, as + moral pestilences—I say, when they were told all this, and in this + way, it is not wonderful that they were slow to acknowledge the truth of + such denunciations, and to join the ranks of their denouncers in a hue and + cry against themselves. + </p> + <p> + To have expected them to do otherwise than they did to have expected them + not to meet denunciation with denunciation, crimination with crimination, + and anathema with anathema—was to expect a reversal of human nature, + which is God's decree and can never be reversed. + </p> + <p> + When the conduct of men is designed to be influenced, persuasion, kind, + unassuming persuasion, should ever be adopted. It is an old and a true + maxim that "a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall." So + with men. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that + you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his + heart, which, say what he will, is the great highroad to his reason; and + which, when once gained, you will find but little trouble in convincing + his judgment of the justice of your cause, if indeed that cause really be + a just one. On the contrary, assume to dictate to his judgment, or to + command his action, or to mark him as one to be shunned and despised, and + he will retreat within himself, close all the avenues to his head and his + heart; and though your cause be naked truth itself, transformed to the + heaviest lance, harder than steel, and sharper than steel can be made, and + though you throw it with more than herculean force and precision, you + shall be no more able to pierce him than to penetrate the hard shell of a + tortoise with a rye straw. Such is man, and so must he be understood by + those who would lead him, even to his own best interests. + </p> + <p> + On this point the Washingtonians greatly excel the temperance advocates of + former times. Those whom they desire to convince and persuade are their + old friends and companions. They know they are not demons, nor even the + worst of men; they know that generally they are kind, generous, and + charitable even beyond the example of their more staid and sober + neighbors. They are practical philanthropists; and they glow with a + generous and brotherly zeal that mere theorizers are incapable of feeling. + Benevolence and charity possess their hearts entirely; and out of the + abundance of their hearts their tongues give utterance; "love through all + their actions runs, and all their words are mild." In this spirit they + speak and act, and in the same they are heard and regarded. And when such + is the temper of the advocate, and such of the audience, no good cause can + be unsuccessful. But I have said that denunciations against dramsellers + and dram-drinkers are unjust, as well as impolitic. Let us see. I have not + inquired at what period of time the use of intoxicating liquors commenced; + nor is it important to know. It is sufficient that, to all of us who now + inhabit the world, the practice of drinking them is just as old as the + world itself that is, we have seen the one just as long as we have seen + the other. When all such of us as have now reached the years of maturity + first opened our eyes upon the stage of existence, we found intoxicating + liquor recognized by everybody, used by everybody, repudiated by nobody. + It commonly entered into the first draught of the infant and the last + draught of the dying man. From the sideboard of the parson down to the + ragged pocket of the houseless loafer, it was constantly found. Physicians + proscribed it in this, that, and the other disease; government provided it + for soldiers and sailors; and to have a rolling or raising, a husking or + "hoedown," anywhere about without it was positively insufferable. So, too, + it was everywhere a respectable article of manufacture and merchandise. + The making of it was regarded as an honorable livelihood, and he who could + make most was the most enterprising and respectable. Large and small + manufactories of it were everywhere erected, in which all the earthly + goods of their owners were invested. Wagons drew it from town to town; + boats bore it from clime to clime, and the winds wafted it from nation to + nation; and merchants bought and sold it, by wholesale and retail, with + precisely the same feelings on the part of the seller, buyer, and + bystander as are felt at the selling and buying of ploughs, beef, bacon, + or any other of the real necessaries of life. Universal public opinion not + only tolerated but recognized and adopted its use. + </p> + <p> + It is true that even then it was known and acknowledged that many were + greatly injured by it; but none seemed to think the injury arose from the + use of a bad thing, but from the abuse of a very good thing. The victims + of it were to be pitied and compassionated, just as are the heirs of + consumption and other hereditary diseases. Their failing was treated as a + misfortune, and not as a crime, or even as a disgrace. If, then, what I + have been saying is true, is it wonderful that some should think and act + now as all thought and acted twenty years ago? and is it just to assail, + condemn, or despise them for doing so? The universal sense of mankind on + any subject is an argument, or at least an influence, not easily overcome. + The success of the argument in favor of the existence of an overruling + Providence mainly depends upon that sense; and men ought not in justice to + be denounced for yielding to it in any case, or giving it up slowly, + especially when they are backed by interest, fixed habits, or burning + appetites. + </p> + <p> + Another error, as it seems to me, into which the old reformers fell, was + the position that all habitual drunkards were utterly incorrigible, and + therefore must be turned adrift and damned without remedy in order that + the grace of temperance might abound, to the temperate then, and to all + mankind some hundreds of years thereafter. There is in this some thing so + repugnant to humanity, so uncharitable, so cold-blooded and feelingless, + that it, never did nor ever can enlist the enthusiasm of a popular cause. + We could not love the man who taught it we could not hear him with + patience. The heart could not throw open its portals to it, the generous + man could not adopt it—it could not mix with his blood. It looked so + fiendishly selfish, so like throwing fathers and brothers overboard to + lighten the boat for our security, that the noble-minded shrank from the + manifest meanness of the thing. And besides this, the benefits of a + reformation to be effected by such a system were too remote in point of + time to warmly engage many in its behalf. Few can be induced to labor + exclusively for posterity, and none will do it enthusiastically. —Posterity + has done nothing for us; and, theorize on it as we may, practically we + shall do very little for it, unless we are made to think we are at the + same time doing something for ourselves. + </p> + <p> + What an ignorance of human nature does it exhibit to ask or to expect a + whole community to rise up and labor for the temporal happiness of others, + after themselves shall be consigned to the dust, a majority of which + community take no pains whatever to secure their own eternal welfare at no + more distant day! Great distance in either time or space has wonderful + power to lull and render quiescent the human mind. Pleasures to be + enjoyed, or pains to be endured, after we shall be dead and gone are but + little regarded even in our own cases, and much less in the cases of + others. Still, in addition to this there is something so ludicrous in + promises of good or threats of evil a great way off as to render the whole + subject with which they are connected easily turned into ridicule. "Better + lay down that spade you are stealing, Paddy; if you don't you'll pay for + it at the day of judgment." "Be the powers, if ye'll credit me so long + I'll take another jist." + </p> + <p> + By the Washingtonians this system of consigning the habitual drunkard to + hopeless ruin is repudiated. They adopt a more enlarged philanthropy; they + go for present as well as future good. They labor for all now living, as + well as hereafter to live. They teach hope to all-despair to none. As + applying to their cause, they deny the doctrine of unpardonable sin; as in + Christianity it is taught, so in this they teach—"While—While + the lamp holds out to burn, The vilest sinner may return." And, what is a + matter of more profound congratulation, they, by experiment upon + experiment and example upon example, prove the maxim to be no less true in + the one case than in the other. On every hand we behold those who but + yesterday were the chief of sinners, now the chief apostles of the cause. + Drunken devils are cast out by ones, by sevens, by legions; and their + unfortunate victims, like the poor possessed who were redeemed from their + long and lonely wanderings in the tombs, are publishing to the ends of the + earth how great things have been done for them. + </p> + <p> + To these new champions and this new system of tactics our late success is + mainly owing, and to them we must mainly look for the final consummation. + The ball is now rolling gloriously on, and none are so able as they to + increase its speed and its bulk, to add to its momentum and its magnitude—even + though unlearned in letters, for this task none are so well educated. To + fit them for this work they have been taught in the true school. They have + been in that gulf from which they would teach others the means of escape. + They have passed that prison wall which others have long declared + impassable; and who that has not shall dare to weigh opinions with them as + to the mode of passing? + </p> + <p> + But if it be true, as I have insisted, that those who have suffered by + intemperance personally, and have reformed, are the most powerful and + efficient instruments to push the reformation to ultimate success, it does + not follow that those who have not suffered have no part left them to + perform. Whether or not the world would be vastly benefited by a total and + final banishment from it of all intoxicating drinks seems to me not now an + open question. Three fourths of mankind confess the affirmative with their + tongues, and, I believe, all the rest acknowledge it in their hearts. + </p> + <p> + Ought any, then, to refuse their aid in doing what good the good of the + whole demands? Shall he who cannot do much be for that reason excused if + he do nothing? "But," says one, "what good can I do by signing the pledge? + I never drank, even without signing." This question has already been asked + and answered more than a million of times. Let it be answered once more. + For the man suddenly or in any other way to break off from the use of + drams, who has indulged in them for a long course of years and until his + appetite for them has grown ten or a hundredfold stronger and more craving + than any natural appetite can be, requires a most powerful moral effort. + In such an undertaking he needs every moral support and influence that can + possibly be brought to his aid and thrown around him. And not only so, but + every moral prop should be taken from whatever argument might rise in his + mind to lure him to his backsliding. When he casts his eyes around him, he + should be able to see all that he respects, all that he admires, all that + he loves, kindly and anxiously pointing him onward, and none beckoning him + back to his former miserable "wallowing in the mire." + </p> + <p> + But it is said by some that men will think and act for themselves; that + none will disuse spirits or anything else because his neighbors do; and + that moral influence is not that powerful engine contended for. Let us + examine this. Let me ask the man who could maintain this position most + stiffly, what compensation he will accept to go to church some Sunday and + sit during the sermon with his wife's bonnet upon his head? Not a trifle, + I'll venture. And why not? There would be nothing irreligious in it, + nothing immoral, nothing uncomfortable—then why not? Is it not + because there would be something egregiously unfashionable in it? Then it + is the influence of fashion; and what is the influence of fashion but the + influence that other people's actions have on our actions—the strong + inclination each of us feels to do as we see all our neighbors do? Nor is + the influence of fashion confined to any particular thing or class of + things; it is just as strong on one subject as another. Let us make it as + unfashionable to withhold our names from the temperance cause as for + husbands to wear their wives' bonnets to church, and instances will be + just as rare in the one case as the other. + </p> + <p> + "But," say some, "we are no drunkards, and we shall not acknowledge + ourselves such by joining a reformed drunkard's society, whatever our + influence might be." Surely no Christian will adhere to this objection. If + they believe as they profess, that Omnipotence condescended to take on + himself the form of sinful man, and as such to die an ignominious death + for their sakes, surely they will not refuse submission to the infinitely + lesser condescension, for the temporal, and perhaps eternal, salvation of + a large, erring, and unfortunate class of their fellow-creatures. Nor is + the condescension very great. In my judgment such of us as have never + fallen victims have been spared more by the absence of appetite than from + any mental or moral superiority over those who have. Indeed, I believe if + we take habitual drunkards as a class, their heads and their hearts will + bear an advantageous comparison with those of any other class. There seems + ever to have been a proneness in the brilliant and warm-blooded to fall + into this vice—the demon of intemperance ever seems to have + delighted in sucking the blood of genius and of generosity. What one of us + but can call to mind some relative, more promising in youth than all his + fellows, who has fallen a sacrifice to his rapacity? He ever seems to have + gone forth like the Egyptian angel of death, commissioned to slay, if not + the first, the fairest born of every family. Shall he now be arrested in + his desolating career? In that arrest all can give aid that will; and who + shall be excused that can and will not? Far around as human breath has + ever blown he keeps our fathers, our brothers, our sons, and our friends + prostrate in the chains of moral death. To all the living everywhere we + cry, "Come sound the moral trump, that these may rise and stand up an + exceeding great army." "Come from the four winds, O breath! and breathe + upon these slain that they may live." If the relative grandeur of + revolutions shall be estimated by the great amount of human misery they + alleviate, and the small amount they inflict, then indeed will this be the + grandest the world shall ever have seen. + </p> + <p> + Of our political revolution of '76 we are all justly proud. It has given + us a degree of political freedom far exceeding that of any other nation of + the earth. In it the world has found a solution of the long-mooted problem + as to the capability of man to govern himself. In it was the germ which + has vegetated, and still is to grow and expand into the universal liberty + of mankind. But, with all these glorious results, past, present, and to + come, it had its evils too. It breathed forth famine, swam in blood, and + rode in fire; and long, long after, the orphan's cry and the widow's wail + continued to break the sad silence that ensued. These were the price, the + inevitable price, paid for the blessings it bought. + </p> + <p> + Turn now to the temperance revolution. In it we shall find a stronger + bondage broken, a viler slavery manumitted, a greater tyrant deposed; in + it, more of want supplied, more disease healed, more sorrow assuaged. By + it no Orphans starving, no widows weeping. By it none wounded in feeling, + none injured in interest; even the drammaker and dram-seller will have + glided into other occupations so gradually as never to have felt the + change, and will stand ready to join all others in the universal song of + gladness. And what a noble ally this to the cause of political freedom, + with such an aid its march cannot fail to be on and on, till every son of + earth shall drink in rich fruition the sorrow-quenching draughts of + perfect liberty. Happy day when-all appetites controlled, all poisons + subdued, all matter subjected-mind, all-conquering mind, shall live and + move, the monarch of the world. Glorious consummation! Hail, fall of fury! + Reign of reason, all hail! + </p> + <p> + And when the victory shall be complete, when there shall be neither a + slave nor a drunkard on the earth, how proud the title of that land which + may truly claim to be the birthplace and the cradle of both those + revolutions that shall have ended in that victory. How nobly distinguished + that people who shall have planted and nurtured to maturity both the + political and moral freedom of their species. + </p> + <p> + This is the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the birthday of + Washington; we are met to celebrate this day. Washington is the mightiest + name of earth long since mightiest in the cause of civil liberty, still + mightiest in moral reformation. On that name no eulogy is expected. It + cannot be. To add brightness to the sun or glory to the name of Washington + is alike impossible. Let none attempt it. In solemn awe pronounce the + name, and in its naked deathless splendor leave it shining on. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0055" id="link2H_4_0055"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOSHUA F. SPEED. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, February 25, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR SPEED:—Yours of the 16th instant, announcing that Miss Fanny + and you are "no more twain, but one flesh," reached me this morning. I + have no way of telling you how much happiness I wish you both, though I + believe you both can conceive it. I feel somewhat jealous of both of you + now: you will be so exclusively concerned for one another, that I shall be + forgotten entirely. My acquaintance with Miss Fanny (I call her this, lest + you should think I am speaking of your mother) was too short for me to + reasonably hope to long be remembered by her; and still I am sure I shall + not forget her soon. Try if you cannot remind her of that debt she owes me—and + be sure you do not interfere to prevent her paying it. + </p> + <p> + I regret to learn that you have resolved to not return to Illinois. I + shall be very lonesome without you. How miserably things seem to be + arranged in this world! If we have no friends, we have no pleasure; and if + we have them, we are sure to lose them, and be doubly pained by the loss. + I did hope she and you would make your home here; but I own I have no + right to insist. You owe obligations to her ten thousand times more sacred + than you can owe to others, and in that light let them be respected and + observed. It is natural that she should desire to remain with her + relatives and friends. As to friends, however, she could not need them + anywhere: she would have them in abundance here. + </p> + <p> + Give my kind remembrance to Mr. Williamson and his family, particularly + Miss Elizabeth; also to your mother, brother, and sisters. Ask little + Eliza Davis if she will ride to town with me if I come there again. And + finally, give Fanny a double reciprocation of all the love she sent me. + Write me often, and believe me + </p> + <p> + Yours forever, LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + P. S. Poor Easthouse is gone at last. He died awhile before day this + morning. They say he was very loath to die.... + </p> + <p> + L. <a name="link2H_4_0056" id="link2H_4_0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOSHUA F. SPEED—ON MARRIAGE CONCERNS + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, February 25,1842. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR SPEED:—I received yours of the 12th written the day you went + down to William's place, some days since, but delayed answering it till I + should receive the promised one of the 16th, which came last night. I + opened the letter with intense anxiety and trepidation; so much so, that, + although it turned out better than I expected, I have hardly yet, at a + distance of ten hours, become calm. + </p> + <p> + I tell you, Speed, our forebodings (for which you and I are peculiar) are + all the worst sort of nonsense. I fancied, from the time I received your + letter of Saturday, that the one of Wednesday was never to come, and yet + it did come, and what is more, it is perfectly clear, both from its tone + and handwriting, that you were much happier, or, if you think the term + preferable, less miserable, when you wrote it than when you wrote the last + one before. You had so obviously improved at the very time I so much + fancied you would have grown worse. You say that something indescribably + horrible and alarming still haunts you. You will not say that three months + from now, I will venture. When your nerves once get steady now, the whole + trouble will be over forever. Nor should you become impatient at their + being even very slow in becoming steady. Again you say, you much fear that + that Elysium of which you have dreamed so much is never to be realized. + Well, if it shall not, I dare swear it will not be the fault of her who is + now your wife. I now have no doubt that it is the peculiar misfortune of + both you and me to dream dreams of Elysium far exceeding all that anything + earthly can realize. Far short of your dreams as you may be, no woman + could do more to realize them than that same black-eyed Fanny. If you + could but contemplate her through my imagination, it would appear + ridiculous to you that any one should for a moment think of being unhappy + with her. My old father used to have a saying that "If you make a bad + bargain, hug it all the tighter"; and it occurs to me that if the bargain + you have just closed can possibly be called a bad one, it is certainly the + most pleasant one for applying that maxim to which my fancy can by any + effort picture. + </p> + <p> + I write another letter, enclosing this, which you can show her, if she + desires it. I do this because she would think strangely, perhaps, should + you tell her that you received no letters from me, or, telling her you do, + refuse to let her see them. I close this, entertaining the confident hope + that every successive letter I shall have from you (which I here pray may + not be few, nor far between) may show you possessing a more steady hand + and cheerful heart than the last preceding it. As ever, your friend, + LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0057" id="link2H_4_0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOSHUA F. SPEED. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, March 27, 1842 + </h3> + <p> + DEAR SPEED:—Yours of the 10th instant was received three or four + days since. You know I am sincere when I tell you the pleasure its + contents gave me was, and is, inexpressible. As to your farm matter, I + have no sympathy with you. I have no farm, nor ever expect to have, and + consequently have not studied the subject enough to be much interested + with it. I can only say that I am glad you are satisfied and pleased with + it. But on that other subject, to me of the most intense interest whether + in joy or sorrow, I never had the power to withhold my sympathy from you. + It cannot be told how it now thrills me with joy to hear you say you are + "far happier than you ever expected to be." That much I know is enough. I + know you too well to suppose your expectations were not, at least, + sometimes extravagant, and if the reality exceeds them all, I say, Enough, + dear Lord. I am not going beyond the truth when I tell you that the short + space it took me to read your last letter gave me more pleasure than the + total sum of all I have enjoyed since the fatal 1st of January, 1841. + Since then it seems to me I should have been entirely happy, but for the + never-absent idea that there is one still unhappy whom I have contributed + to make so. That still kills my soul. I cannot but reproach myself for + even wishing to be happy while she is otherwise. She accompanied a large + party on the railroad cars to Jacksonville last Monday, and on her return + spoke, so that I heard of it, of having enjoyed the trip exceedingly. God + be praised for that. + </p> + <p> + You know with what sleepless vigilance I have watched you ever since the + commencement of your affair; and although I am almost confident it is + useless, I cannot forbear once more to say that I think it is even yet + possible for your spirits to flag down and leave you miserable. If they + should, don't fail to remember that they cannot long remain so. One thing + I can tell you which I know you will be glad to hear, and that is that I + have seen—and scrutinized her feelings as well as I could, and am + fully convinced she is far happier now than she has been for the last + fifteen months past. + </p> + <p> + You will see by the last Sangamon Journal, that I made a temperance speech + on the 22d of February, which I claim that Fanny and you shall read as an + act of charity to me; for I cannot learn that anybody else has read it, or + is likely to. Fortunately it is not very long, and I shall deem it a + sufficient compliance with my request if one of you listens while the + other reads it. + </p> + <p> + As to your Lockridge matter, it is only necessary to say that there has + been no court since you left, and that the next commences to-morrow + morning, during which I suppose we cannot fail to get a judgment. + </p> + <p> + I wish you would learn of Everett what he would take, over and above a + discharge for all the trouble we have been at, to take his business out of + our hands and give it to somebody else. It is impossible to collect money + on that or any other claim here now; and although you know I am not a very + petulant man, I declare I am almost out of patience with Mr. Everett's + importunity. It seems like he not only writes all the letters he can + himself, but gets everybody else in Louisville and vicinity to be + constantly writing to us about his claim. I have always said that Mr. + Everett is a very clever fellow, and I am very sorry he cannot be obliged; + but it does seem to me he ought to know we are interested to collect his + claim, and therefore would do it if we could. + </p> + <p> + I am neither joking nor in a pet when I say we would thank him to transfer + his business to some other, without any compensation for what we have + done, provided he will see the court cost paid, for which we are security. + </p> + <p> + The sweet violet you inclosed came safely to hand, but it was so dry, and + mashed so flat, that it crumbled to dust at the first attempt to handle + it. The juice that mashed out of it stained a place in the letter, which I + mean to preserve and cherish for the sake of her who procured it to be + sent. My renewed good wishes to her in particular, and generally to all + such of your relations who know me. + </p> + <p> + As ever, + </p> + <p> + LINCOLN. <a name="link2H_4_0058" id="link2H_4_0058"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOSHUA F. SPEED. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, July 4, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR SPEED:—Yours of the 16th June was received only a day or two + since. It was not mailed at Louisville till the 25th. You speak of the + great time that has elapsed since I wrote you. Let me explain that. Your + letter reached here a day or two after I started on the circuit. I was + gone five or six weeks, so that I got the letters only a few weeks before + Butler started to your country. I thought it scarcely worth while to write + you the news which he could and would tell you more in detail. On his + return he told me you would write me soon, and so I waited for your + letter. As to my having been displeased with your advice, surely you know + better than that. I know you do, and therefore will not labor to convince + you. True, that subject is painful to me; but it is not your silence, or + the silence of all the world, that can make me forget it. I acknowledge + the correctness of your advice too; but before I resolve to do the one + thing or the other, I must gain my confidence in my own ability to keep my + resolves when they are made. In that ability you know I once prided myself + as the only or chief gem of my character; that gem I lost—how and + where you know too well. I have not yet regained it; and until I do, I + cannot trust myself in any matter of much importance. I believe now that + had you understood my case at the time as well as I understand yours + afterward, by the aid you would have given me I should have sailed through + clear, but that does not now afford me sufficient confidence to begin that + or the like of that again. + </p> + <p> + You make a kind acknowledgment of your obligations to me for your present + happiness. I am pleased with that acknowledgment. But a thousand times + more am I pleased to know that you enjoy a degree of happiness worthy of + an acknowledgment. The truth is, I am not sure that there was any merit + with me in the part I took in your difficulty; I was drawn to it by a + fate. If I would I could not have done less than I did. I always was + superstitious; I believe God made me one of the instruments of bringing + your Fanny and you together, which union I have no doubt He had + fore-ordained. Whatever He designs He will do for me yet. "Stand still, + and see the salvation of the Lord" is my text just now. If, as you say, + you have told Fanny all, I should have no objection to her seeing this + letter, but for its reference to our friend here: let her seeing it depend + upon whether she has ever known anything of my affairs; and if she has + not, do not let her. + </p> + <p> + I do not think I can come to Kentucky this season. I am so poor and make + so little headway in the world, that I drop back in a month of idleness as + much as I gain in a year's sowing. I should like to visit you again. I + should like to see that "sis" of yours that was absent when I was there, + though I suppose she would run away again if she were to hear I was + coming. + </p> + <p> + My respects and esteem to all your friends there, and, by your permission, + my love to your Fanny. + </p> + <p> + Ever yours, + </p> + <p> + LINCOLN. <a name="link2H_4_0059" id="link2H_4_0059"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A LETTER FROM THE LOST TOWNSHIPS + </h2> + <p> + Article written by Lincoln for the Sangamon Journal in ridicule of James + Shields, who, as State Auditor, had declined to receive State Bank notes + in payment of taxes. The above letter purported to come from a poor widow + who, though supplied with State Bank paper, could not obtain a receipt for + her tax bill. This, and another subsequent letter by Mary Todd, brought + about the "Lincoln-Shields Duel." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0060" id="link2H_4_0060"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LOST TOWNSHIPS + </h2> + <h3> + August 27, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR Mr. PRINTER: + </p> + <p> + I see you printed that long letter I sent you a spell ago. I 'm quite + encouraged by it, and can't keep from writing again. I think the printing + of my letters will be a good thing all round—it will give me the + benefit of being known by the world, and give the world the advantage of + knowing what's going on in the Lost Townships, and give your paper + respectability besides. So here comes another. Yesterday afternoon I + hurried through cleaning up the dinner dishes and stepped over to neighbor + S——— to see if his wife Peggy was as well as mout be + expected, and hear what they called the baby. Well, when I got there and + just turned round the corner of his log cabin, there he was, setting on + the doorstep reading a newspaper. "How are you, Jeff?" says I. He sorter + started when he heard me, for he hadn't seen me before. "Why," says he, "I + 'm mad as the devil, Aunt 'Becca!" "What about?" says I; "ain't its hair + the right color? None of that nonsense, Jeff; there ain't an honester + woman in the Lost Townships than..."—"Than who?" says he; "what the + mischief are you about?" I began to see I was running the wrong trail, and + so says I, "Oh! nothing: I guess I was mistaken a little, that's all. But + what is it you 're mad about?" + </p> + <p> + "Why," says he, "I've been tugging ever since harvest, getting out wheat + and hauling it to the river to raise State Bank paper enough to pay my tax + this year and a little school debt I owe; and now, just as I 've got it, + here I open this infernal Extra Register, expecting to find it full of + 'Glorious Democratic Victories' and 'High Comb'd Cocks,' when, lo and + behold! I find a set of fellows, calling themselves officers of the State, + have forbidden the tax collectors, and school commissioners to receive + State paper at all; and so here it is dead on my hands. I don't now + believe all the plunder I've got will fetch ready cash enough to pay my + taxes and that school debt." + </p> + <p> + I was a good deal thunderstruck myself; for that was the first I had heard + of the proclamation, and my old man was pretty much in the same fix with + Jeff. We both stood a moment staring at one another without knowing what + to say. At last says I, "Mr. S——— let me look at that + paper." He handed it to me, when I read the proclamation over. + </p> + <p> + "There now," says he, "did you ever see such a piece of impudence and + imposition as that?" I saw Jeff was in a good tune for saying some + ill-natured things, and so I tho't I would just argue a little on the + contrary side, and make him rant a spell if I could. "Why," says I, + looking as dignified and thoughtful as I could, "it seems pretty tough, to + be sure, to have to raise silver where there's none to be raised; but + then, you see, 'there will be danger of loss' if it ain't done." + </p> + <p> + "Loss! damnation!" says he. "I defy Daniel Webster, I defy King Solomon, I + defy the world—I defy—I defy—yes, I defy even you, Aunt + 'Becca, to show how the people can lose anything by paying their taxes in + State paper." + </p> + <p> + "Well," says I, "you see what the officers of State say about it, and they + are a desarnin' set of men. But," says I, "I guess you 're mistaken about + what the proclamation says. It don't say the people will lose anything by + the paper money being taken for taxes. It only says 'there will be danger + of loss'; and though it is tolerable plain that the people can't lose by + paying their taxes in something they can get easier than silver, instead + of having to pay silver; and though it's just as plain that the State + can't lose by taking State Bank paper, however low it may be, while she + owes the bank more than the whole revenue, and can pay that paper over on + her debt, dollar for dollar;—still there is danger of loss to the + 'officers of State'; and you know, Jeff, we can't get along without + officers of State." + </p> + <p> + "Damn officers of State!" says he; "that's what Whigs are always hurrahing + for." + </p> + <p> + "Now, don't swear so, Jeff," says I, "you know I belong to the meetin', + and swearin' hurts my feelings." + </p> + <p> + "Beg pardon, Aunt 'Becca," says he; "but I do say it's enough to make Dr. + Goddard swear, to have tax to pay in silver, for nothing only that Ford + may get his two thousand a year, and Shields his twenty-four hundred a + year, and Carpenter his sixteen hundred a year, and all without 'danger of + loss' by taking it in State paper. Yes, yes: it's plain enough now what + these officers of State mean by 'danger of loss.' Wash, I s'pose, actually + lost fifteen hundred dollars out of the three thousand that two of these + 'officers of State' let him steal from the treasury, by being compelled to + take it in State paper. Wonder if we don't have a proclamation before + long, commanding us to make up this loss to Wash in silver." + </p> + <p> + And so he went on till his breath run out, and he had to stop. I couldn't + think of anything to say just then, and so I begun to look over the paper + again. "Ay! here's another proclamation, or something like it." + </p> + <p> + "Another?" says Jeff; "and whose egg is it, pray?" + </p> + <p> + I looked to the bottom of it, and read aloud, "Your obedient servant, + James Shields, Auditor." + </p> + <p> + "Aha!" says Jeff, "one of them same three fellows again. Well read it, and + let's hear what of it." + </p> + <p> + I read on till I came to where it says, "The object of this measure is to + suspend the collection of the revenue for the current year." + </p> + <p> + "Now stop, now stop!" says he; "that's a lie a'ready, and I don't want to + hear of it." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, maybe not," says I. + </p> + <p> + "I say it-is-a-lie. Suspend the collection, indeed! Will the collectors, + that have taken their oaths to make the collection, dare to end it? Is + there anything in law requiring them to perjure themselves at the bidding + of James Shields? + </p> + <p> + "Will the greedy gullet of the penitentiary be satisfied with swallowing + him instead of all of them, if they should venture to obey him? And would + he not discover some 'danger of loss,' and be off about the time it came + to taking their places? + </p> + <p> + "And suppose the people attempt to suspend, by refusing to pay; what then? + The collectors would just jerk up their horses and cows, and the like, and + sell them to the highest bidder for silver in hand, without valuation or + redemption. Why, Shields didn't believe that story himself; it was never + meant for the truth. If it was true, why was it not writ till five days + after the proclamation? Why did n't Carlin and Carpenter sign it as well + as Shields? Answer me that, Aunt 'Becca. I say it's a lie, and not a well + told one at that. It grins out like a copper dollar. Shields is a fool as + well as a liar. With him truth is out of the question; and as for getting + a good, bright, passable lie out of him, you might as well try to strike + fire from a cake of tallow. I stick to it, it's all an infernal Whig lie!" + </p> + <p> + "A Whig lie! Highty tighty!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, a Whig lie; and it's just like everything the cursed British Whigs + do. First they'll do some divilment, and then they'll tell a lie to hide + it. And they don't care how plain a lie it is; they think they can cram + any sort of a one down the throats of the ignorant Locofocos, as they call + the Democrats." + </p> + <p> + "Why, Jeff, you 're crazy: you don't mean to say Shields is a Whig!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I do." + </p> + <p> + "Why, look here! the proclamation is in your own Democratic paper, as you + call it." + </p> + <p> + "I know it; and what of that? They only printed it to let us Democrats see + the deviltry the Whigs are at." + </p> + <p> + "Well, but Shields is the auditor of this Loco—I mean this + Democratic State." + </p> + <p> + "So he is, and Tyler appointed him to office." + </p> + <p> + "Tyler appointed him?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes (if you must chaw it over), Tyler appointed him; or, if it was n't + him, it was old Granny Harrison, and that's all one. I tell you, Aunt + 'Becca, there's no mistake about his being a Whig. Why, his very looks + shows it; everything about him shows it: if I was deaf and blind, I could + tell him by the smell. I seed him when I was down in Springfield last + winter. They had a sort of a gatherin' there one night among the grandees, + they called a fair. All the gals about town was there, and all the + handsome widows and married women, finickin' about trying to look like + gals, tied as tight in the middle, and puffed out at both ends, like + bundles of fodder that had n't been stacked yet, but wanted stackin' + pretty bad. And then they had tables all around the house kivered over + with [———] caps and pincushions and ten thousand such + little knick-knacks, tryin' to sell 'em to the fellows that were bowin', + and scrapin' and kungeerin' about 'em. They would n't let no Democrats in, + for fear they'd disgust the ladies, or scare the little gals, or dirty the + floor. I looked in at the window, and there was this same fellow Shields + floatin' about on the air, without heft or earthly substances, just like a + lock of cat fur where cats had been fighting. + </p> + <p> + "He was paying his money to this one, and that one, and t' other one, and + sufferin' great loss because it was n't silver instead of State paper; and + the sweet distress he seemed to be in,—his very features, in the + ecstatic agony of his soul, spoke audibly and distinctly, 'Dear girls, it + is distressing, but I cannot marry you all. Too well I know how much you + suffer; but do, do remember, it is not my fault that I am so handsome and + so interesting.' + </p> + <p> + "As this last was expressed by a most exquisite contortion of his face, he + seized hold of one of their hands, and squeezed, and held on to it about a + quarter of an hour. 'Oh, my good fellow!' says I to myself, 'if that was + one of our Democratic gals in the Lost Townships, the way you 'd get a + brass pin let into you would be about up to the head.' He a Democrat! + Fiddlesticks! I tell you, Aunt 'Becca, he's a Whig, and no mistake; nobody + but a Whig could make such a conceity dunce of himself." + </p> + <p> + "Well," says I, "maybe he is; but, if he is, I 'm mistaken the worst sort. + Maybe so, maybe so; but, if I am, I'll suffer by it; I'll be a Democrat if + it turns out that Shields is a Whig, considerin' you shall be a Whig if he + turns out a Democrat." + </p> + <p> + "A bargain, by jingoes!" says he; "but how will we find out?" + </p> + <p> + "Why," says I, "we'll just write and ax the printer." + </p> + <p> + "Agreed again!" says he; "and by thunder! if it does turn out that Shields + is a Democrat, I never will——" + </p> + <p> + "Jefferson! Jefferson!" + </p> + <p> + "What do you want, Peggy?" + </p> + <p> + "Do get through your everlasting clatter some time, and bring me a gourd + of water; the child's been crying for a drink this livelong hour." + </p> + <p> + "Let it die, then; it may as well die for water as to be taxed to death to + fatten officers of State." + </p> + <p> + Jeff run off to get the water, though, just like he hadn't been saying + anything spiteful, for he's a raal good-hearted fellow, after all, once + you get at the foundation of him. + </p> + <p> + I walked into the house, and, "Why, Peggy," says I, "I declare we like to + forgot you altogether." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, yes," says she, "when a body can't help themselves, everybody soon + forgets 'em; but, thank God! by day after to-morrow I shall be well enough + to milk the cows, and pen the calves, and wring the contrary ones' tails + for 'em, and no thanks to nobody." + </p> + <p> + "Good evening, Peggy," says I, and so I sloped, for I seed she was mad at + me for making Jeff neglect her so long. + </p> + <p> + And now, Mr. Printer, will you be sure to let us know in your next paper + whether this Shields is a Whig or a Democrat? I don't care about it for + myself, for I know well enough how it is already; but I want to convince + Jeff. It may do some good to let him, and others like him, know who and + what these officers of State are. It may help to send the present + hypocritical set to where they belong, and to fill the places they now + disgrace with men who will do more work for less pay, and take fewer airs + while they are doing it. It ain't sensible to think that the same men who + get us in trouble will change their course; and yet it's pretty plain if + some change for the better is not made, it's not long that either Peggy or + I or any of us will have a cow left to milk, or a calf's tail to wring. + </p> + <p> + Yours truly, + </p> + <p> + REBECCA ———. <a name="link2H_4_0061" id="link2H_4_0061"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INVITATION TO HENRY CLAY. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Aug 29, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + HON. HENRY CLAY, Lexington, Ky. + </p> + <p> + DEAR SIR:—We hear you are to visit Indianapolis, Indiana, on the 5th + Of October next. If our information in this is correct we hope you will + not deny us the pleasure of seeing you in our State. We are aware of the + toil necessarily incident to a journey by one circumstanced as you are; + but once you have embarked, as you have already determined to do, the toil + would not be greatly augmented by extending the journey to our capital. + The season of the year will be most favorable for good roads, and pleasant + weather; and although we cannot but believe you would be highly gratified + with such a visit to the prairie-land, the pleasure it would give us and + thousands such as we is beyond all question. You have never visited + Illinois, or at least this portion of it; and should you now yield to our + request, we promise you such a reception as shall be worthy of the man on + whom are now turned the fondest hopes of a great and suffering nation. + </p> + <p> + Please inform us at the earliest convenience whether we may expect you. + </p> + <p> + Very respectfully your obedient servants, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A. G. HENRY, A. T. BLEDSOE, + C. BIRCHALL, A. LINCOLN, + G. M. CABANNISS, ROB'T IRWIN, + P. A. SAUNDERS, J. M. ALLEN, + F. N. FRANCIS. + Executive Committee "Clay Club." +</pre> + <p> + (Clay's answer, September 6, 1842, declines with thanks.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0062" id="link2H_4_0062"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT THE LINCOLN-SHIELDS DUEL. + </h2> + <h3> + TREMONT, September 17, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + ABRA. LINCOLN, ESQ.:—I regret that my absence on public business + compelled me to postpone a matter of private consideration a little longer + than I could have desired. It will only be necessary, however, to account + for it by informing you that I have been to Quincy on business that would + not admit of delay. I will now state briefly the reasons of my troubling + you with this communication, the disagreeable nature of which I regret, as + I had hoped to avoid any difficulty with any one in Springfield while + residing there, by endeavoring to conduct myself in such a way amongst + both my political friends and opponents as to escape the necessity of any. + Whilst thus abstaining from giving provocation, I have become the object + of slander, vituperation, and personal abuse, which were I capable of + submitting to, I would prove myself worthy of the whole of it. + </p> + <p> + In two or three of the last numbers of the Sangamon Journal, articles of + the most personal nature and calculated to degrade me have made their + appearance. On inquiring, I was informed by the editor of that paper, + through the medium of my friend General Whitesides, that you are the + author of those articles. This information satisfies me that I have become + by some means or other the object of your secret hostility. I will not + take the trouble of inquiring into the reason of all this; but I will take + the liberty of requiring a full, positive, and absolute retraction of all + offensive allusions used by you in these communications, in relation to my + private character and standing as a man, as an apology for the insults + conveyed in them. + </p> + <p> + This may prevent consequences which no one will regret more than myself. + </p> + <p> + Your obedient servant, JAS. SHIELDS. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0063" id="link2H_4_0063"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO J. SHIELDS. + </h2> + <h3> + TREMONT, September 17, 1842 + </h3> + <p> + JAS. SHIELDS, ESQ.:—Your note of to-day was handed me by General + Whitesides. In that note you say you have been informed, through the + medium of the editor of the Journal, that I am the author of certain + articles in that paper which you deem personally abusive of you; and + without stopping to inquire whether I really am the author, or to point + out what is offensive in them, you demand an unqualified retraction of all + that is offensive, and then proceed to hint at consequences. + </p> + <p> + Now, sir, there is in this so much assumption of facts and so much of + menace as to consequences, that I cannot submit to answer that note any + further than I have, and to add that the consequences to which I suppose + you allude would be matter of as great regret to me as it possibly could + to you. + </p> + <p> + Respectfully, + </p> + <p> + A. LINCOLN. <a name="link2H_4_0064" id="link2H_4_0064"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO A. LINCOLN FROM JAS. SHIELDS + </h2> + <h3> + TREMONT, September 17, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + ABRA. LINCOLN, ESQ.:—In reply to my note of this date, you intimate + that I assume facts and menace consequences, and that you cannot submit to + answer it further. As now, sir, you desire it, I will be a little more + particular. The editor of the Sangamon Journal gave me to understand that + you are the author of an article which appeared, I think, in that paper of + the 2d September instant, headed "The Lost Townships," and signed Rebecca + or 'Becca. I would therefore take the liberty of asking whether you are + the author of said article, or any other over the same signature which has + appeared in any of the late numbers of that paper. If so, I repeat my + request of an absolute retraction of all offensive allusions contained + therein in relation to my private character and standing. If you are not + the author of any of these articles, your denial will be sufficient. I + will say further, it is not my intention to menace, but to do myself + justice. + </p> + <p> + Your obedient servant, JAS. SHIELDS. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0065" id="link2H_4_0065"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MEMORANDUM OF INSTRUCTIONS TO E. H. MERRYMAN, + </h2> + <h3> + Lincoln's Second, + </h3> + <p> + September 19, 1842. + </p> + <p> + In case Whitesides shall signify a wish to adjust this affair without + further difficulty, let him know that if the present papers be withdrawn, + and a note from Mr. Shields asking to know if I am the author of the + articles of which he complains, and asking that I shall make him + gentlemanly satisfaction if I am the author, and this without menace, or + dictation as to what that satisfaction shall be, a pledge is made that the + following answer shall be given: + </p> + <p> + "I did write the 'Lost Townships' letter which appeared in the Journal of + the 2d instant, but had no participation in any form in any other article + alluding to you. I wrote that wholly for political effect—I had no + intention of injuring your personal or private character or standing as a + man or a gentleman; and I did not then think, and do not now think, that + that article could produce or has produced that effect against you; and + had I anticipated such an effect I would have forborne to write it. And I + will add that your conduct toward me, so far as I know, had always been + gentlemanly; and that I had no personal pique against you, and no cause + for any." + </p> + <p> + If this should be done, I leave it with you to arrange what shall and what + shall not be published. If nothing like this is done, the preliminaries of + the fight are to be— + </p> + <p> + First. Weapons: Cavalry broadswords of the largest size, precisely equal + in all respects, and such as now used by the cavalry company at + Jacksonville. + </p> + <p> + Second. Position: A plank ten feet long, and from nine to twelve inches + broad, to be firmly fixed on edge, on the ground, as the line between us, + which neither is to pass his foot over upon forfeit of his life. Next a + line drawn on the ground on either side of said plank and parallel with + it, each at the distance of the whole length of the sword and three feet + additional from the plank; and the passing of his own such line by either + party during the fight shall be deemed a surrender of the contest. + </p> + <p> + Third. Time: On Thursday evening at five o'clock, if you can get it so; + but in no case to be at a greater distance of time than Friday evening at + five o'clock. + </p> + <p> + Fourth. Place: Within three miles of Alton, on the opposite side of the + river, the particular spot to be agreed on by you. + </p> + <p> + Any preliminary details coming within the above rules you are at liberty + to make at your discretion; but you are in no case to swerve from these + rules, or to pass beyond their limits. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0066" id="link2H_4_0066"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOSHUA F. SPEED. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, October 4, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR SPEED:—You have heard of my duel with Shields, and I have now + to inform you that the dueling business still rages in this city. Day + before yesterday Shields challenged Butler, who accepted, and proposed + fighting next morning at sunrise in Bob Allen's meadow, one hundred yards' + distance, with rifles. To this Whitesides, Shields's second, said "No," + because of the law. Thus ended duel No. 2. Yesterday Whitesides chose to + consider himself insulted by Dr. Merryman, so sent him a kind of + quasi-challenge, inviting him to meet him at the Planter's House in St. + Louis on the next Friday, to settle their difficulty. Merryman made me his + friend, and sent Whitesides a note, inquiring to know if he meant his note + as a challenge, and if so, that he would, according to the law in such + case made and provided, prescribe the terms of the meeting. Whitesides + returned for answer that if Merryman would meet him at the Planter's House + as desired, he would challenge him. Merryman replied in a note that he + denied Whitesides's right to dictate time and place, but that he + (Merryman) would waive the question of time, and meet him at Louisiana, + Missouri. Upon my presenting this note to Whitesides and stating verbally + its contents, he declined receiving it, saying he had business in St. + Louis, and it was as near as Louisiana. Merryman then directed me to + notify Whitesides that he should publish the correspondence between them, + with such comments as he thought fit. This I did. Thus it stood at bedtime + last night. This morning Whitesides, by his friend Shields, is praying for + a new trial, on the ground that he was mistaken in Merryman's proposition + to meet him at Louisiana, Missouri, thinking it was the State of + Louisiana. This Merryman hoots at, and is preparing his publication; while + the town is in a ferment, and a street fight somewhat anticipated. + </p> + <p> + But I began this letter not for what I have been writing, but to say + something on that subject which you know to be of such infinite solicitude + to me. The immense sufferings you endured from the first days of September + till the middle of February you never tried to conceal from me, and I well + understood. You have now been the husband of a lovely woman nearly eight + months. That you are happier now than the day you married her I well know, + for without you could not be living. But I have your word for it, too, and + the returning elasticity of spirits which is manifested in your letters. + But I want to ask a close question, "Are you now in feeling as well as + judgment glad that you are married as you are?" From anybody but me this + would be an impudent question, not to be tolerated; but I know you will + pardon it in me. Please answer it quickly, as I am impatient to know. I + have sent my love to your Fanny so often, I fear she is getting tired of + it. However, I venture to tender it again. + </p> + <p> + Yours forever, + </p> + <p> + LINCOLN. <a name="link2H_4_0067" id="link2H_4_0067"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JAMES S. IRWIN. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, November 2, 1842. + </h3> + <p> + JAS. S. IRWIN ESQ.: + </p> + <p> + Owing to my absence, yours of the 22nd ult. was not received till this + moment. Judge Logan and myself are willing to attend to any business in + the Supreme Court you may send us. As to fees, it is impossible to + establish a rule that will apply in all, or even a great many cases. We + believe we are never accused of being very unreasonable in this + particular; and we would always be easily satisfied, provided we could see + the money—but whatever fees we earn at a distance, if not paid + before, we have noticed, we never hear of after the work is done. We, + therefore, are growing a little sensitive on that point. + </p> + <p> + Yours etc., + </p> + <p> + A. LINCOLN. <a name="link2H_4_0068" id="link2H_4_0068"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1843 + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0069" id="link2H_4_0069"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + RESOLUTIONS AT A WHIG MEETING AT SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, MARCH 1, 1843. + </h2> + <p> + The object of the meeting was stated by Mr. Lincoln of Springfield, who + offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: + </p> + <p> + Resolved, That a tariff of duties on imported goods, producing sufficient + revenue for the payment of the necessary expenditures of the National + Government, and so adjusted as to protect American industry, is + indispensably necessary to the prosperity of the American people. + </p> + <p> + Resolved, That we are opposed to direct taxation for the support of the + National Government. + </p> + <p> + Resolved, That a national bank, properly restricted, is highly necessary + and proper to the establishment and maintenance of a sound currency, and + for the cheap and safe collection, keeping, and disbursing of the public + revenue. + </p> + <p> + Resolved, That the distribution of the proceeds of the sales of the public + lands, upon the principles of Mr. Clay's bill, accords with the best + interests of the nation, and particularly with those of the State of + Illinois. + </p> + <p> + Resolved, That we recommend to the Whigs of each Congressional district of + the State to nominate and support at the approaching election a candidate + of their own principles, regardless of the chances of success. + </p> + <p> + Resolved, That we recommend to the Whigs of all portions of the State to + adopt and rigidly adhere to the convention system of nominating + candidates. + </p> + <p> + Resolved, That we recommend to the Whigs of each Congressional district to + hold a district convention on or before the first Monday of May next, to + be composed of a number of delegates from each county equal to double the + number of its representatives in the General Assembly, provided, each + county shall have at least one delegate. Said delegates to be chosen by + primary meetings of the Whigs, at such times and places as they in their + respective counties may see fit. Said district conventions each to + nominate one candidate for Congress, and one delegate to a national + convention for the purpose of nominating candidates for President and + Vice-President of the United States. The seven delegates so nominated to a + national convention to have power to add two delegates to their own + number, and to fill all vacancies. + </p> + <p> + Resolved, That A. T. Bledsoe, S. T. Logan, and A. Lincoln be appointed a + committee to prepare an address to the people of the State. + </p> + <p> + Resolved, That N. W. Edwards, A. G. Henry, James H. Matheny, John C. + Doremus, and James C. Conkling be appointed a Whig Central State + Committee, with authority to fill any vacancy that may occur in the + committee. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0070" id="link2H_4_0070"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CIRCULAR FROM WHIG COMMITTEE. + </h2> + <h3> + Address to the People of Illinois. + </h3> + <p> + FELLOW-CITIZENS:-By a resolution of a meeting of such of the Whigs of the + State as are now at Springfield, we, the undersigned, were appointed to + prepare an address to you. The performance of that task we now undertake. + </p> + <p> + Several resolutions were adopted by the meeting; and the chief object of + this address is to show briefly the reasons for their adoption. + </p> + <p> + The first of those resolutions declares a tariff of duties upon foreign + importations, producing sufficient revenue for the support of the General + Government, and so adjusted as to protect American industry, to be + indispensably necessary to the prosperity of the American people; and the + second declares direct taxation for a national revenue to be improper. + Those two resolutions are kindred in their nature, and therefore proper + and convenient to be considered together. The question of protection is a + subject entirely too broad to be crowded into a few pages only, together + with several other subjects. On that point we therefore content ourselves + with giving the following extracts from the writings of Mr. Jefferson, + General Jackson, and the speech of Mr. Calhoun: + </p> + <p> + "To be independent for the comforts of life, we must fabricate them + ourselves. We must now place the manufacturer by the side of the + agriculturalist. The grand inquiry now is, Shall we make our own comforts, + or go without them at the will of a foreign nation? He, therefore, who is + now against domestic manufactures must be for reducing us either to + dependence on that foreign nation, or to be clothed in skins and to live + like wild beasts in dens and caverns. I am not one of those; experience + has taught me that manufactures are now as necessary to our independence + as to our comfort." Letter of Mr. Jefferson to Benjamin Austin. + </p> + <p> + "I ask, What is the real situation of the agriculturalist? Where has the + American farmer a market for his surplus produce? Except for cotton, he + has neither a foreign nor a home market. Does not this clearly prove, when + there is no market at home or abroad, that there [is] too much labor + employed in agriculture? Common sense at once points out the remedy. Take + from agriculture six hundred thousand men, women, and children, and you + will at once give a market for more breadstuffs than all Europe now + furnishes. In short, we have been too long subject to the policy of + British merchants. It is time we should become a little more Americanized, + and instead of feeding the paupers and laborers of England, feed our own; + or else in a short time, by continuing our present policy, we shall all be + rendered paupers ourselves."—General Jackson's Letter to Dr. + Coleman. + </p> + <p> + "When our manufactures are grown to a certain perfection, as they soon + will be, under the fostering care of government, the farmer will find a + ready market for his surplus produce, and—what is of equal + consequence—a certain and cheap supply of all he wants; his + prosperity will diffuse itself to every class of the community." Speech of + Hon. J. C. Calhoun on the Tariff. + </p> + <p> + The question of revenue we will now briefly consider. For several years + past the revenues of the government have been unequal to its expenditures, + and consequently loan after loan, sometimes direct and sometimes indirect + in form, has been resorted to. By this means a new national debt has been + created, and is still growing on us with a rapidity fearful to contemplate—a + rapidity only reasonably to be expected in time of war. This state of + things has been produced by a prevailing unwillingness either to increase + the tariff or resort to direct taxation. But the one or the other must + come. Coming expenditures must be met, and the present debt must be paid; + and money cannot always be borrowed for these objects. The system of loans + is but temporary in its nature, and must soon explode. It is a system not + only ruinous while it lasts, but one that must soon fail and leave us + destitute. As an individual who undertakes to live by borrowing soon finds + his original means devoured by interest, and, next, no one left to borrow + from, so must it be with a government. + </p> + <p> + We repeat, then, that a tariff sufficient for revenue, or a direct tax, + must soon be resorted to; and, indeed, we believe this alternative is now + denied by no one. But which system shall be adopted? Some of our + opponents, in theory, admit the propriety of a tariff sufficient for a + revenue, but even they will not in practice vote for such a tariff; while + others boldly advocate direct taxation. Inasmuch, therefore, as some of + them boldly advocate direct taxation, and all the rest—or so nearly + all as to make exceptions needless—refuse to adopt the tariff, we + think it is doing them no injustice to class them all as advocates of + direct taxation. Indeed, we believe they are only delaying an open avowal + of the system till they can assure themselves that the people will + tolerate it. Let us, then, briefly compare the two systems. The tariff is + the cheaper system, because the duties, being collected in large parcels + at a few commercial points, will require comparatively few officers in + their collection; while by the direct-tax system the land must be + literally covered with assessors and collectors, going forth like swarms + of Egyptian locusts, devouring every blade of grass and other green thing. + And, again, by the tariff system the whole revenue is paid by the + consumers of foreign goods, and those chiefly the luxuries, and not the + necessaries, of life. By this system the man who contents himself to live + upon the products of his own country pays nothing at all. And surely that + country is extensive enough, and its products abundant and varied enough, + to answer all the real wants of its people. In short, by this system the + burthen of revenue falls almost entirely on the wealthy and luxurious few, + while the substantial and laboring many who live at home, and upon home + products, go entirely free. By the direct-tax system none can escape. + However strictly the citizen may exclude from his premises all foreign + luxuries,—fine cloths, fine silks, rich wines, golden chains, and + diamond rings,—still, for the possession of his house, his barn, and + his homespun, he is to be perpetually haunted and harassed by the + tax-gatherer. With these views we leave it to be determined whether we or + our opponents are the more truly democratic on the subject. + </p> + <p> + The third resolution declares the necessity and propriety of a national + bank. During the last fifty years so much has been said and written both + as to the constitutionality and expediency of such an institution, that we + could not hope to improve in the least on former discussions of the + subject, were we to undertake it. We, therefore, upon the question of + constitutionality content ourselves with remarking the facts that the + first national bank was established chiefly by the same men who formed the + Constitution, at a time when that instrument was but two years old, and + receiving the sanction, as President, of the immortal Washington; that the + second received the sanction, as President, of Mr. Madison, to whom common + consent has awarded the proud title of "Father of the Constitution"; and + subsequently the sanction of the Supreme Court, the most enlightened + judicial tribunal in the world. Upon the question of expediency, we only + ask you to examine the history of the times during the existence of the + two banks, and compare those times with the miserable present. + </p> + <p> + The fourth resolution declares the expediency of Mr. Clay's land bill. + Much incomprehensible jargon is often used against the constitutionality + of this measure. We forbear, in this place, attempting an answer to it, + simply because, in our opinion, those who urge it are through party zeal + resolved not to see or acknowledge the truth. The question of expediency, + at least so far as Illinois is concerned, seems to us the clearest + imaginable. By the bill we are to receive annually a large sum of money, + no part of which we otherwise receive. The precise annual sum cannot be + known in advance; it doubtless will vary in different years. Still it is + something to know that in the last year—a year of almost + unparalleled pecuniary pressure—it amounted to more than forty + thousand dollars. This annual income, in the midst of our almost + insupportable difficulties, in the days of our severest necessity, our + political opponents are furiously resolving to take and keep from us. And + for what? Many silly reasons are given, as is usual in cases where a + single good one is not to be found. One is that by giving us the proceeds + of the lands we impoverish the national treasury, and thereby render + necessary an increase of the tariff. This may be true; but if so, the + amount of it only is that those whose pride, whose abundance of means, + prompt them to spurn the manufactures of our country, and to strut in + British cloaks and coats and pantaloons, may have to pay a few cents more + on the yard for the cloth that makes them. A terrible evil, truly, to the + Illinois farmer, who never wore, nor ever expects to wear, a single yard + of British goods in his whole life. Another of their reasons is that by + the passage and continuance of Mr. Clay's bill, we prevent the passage of + a bill which would give us more. This, if it were sound in itself, is + waging destructive war with the former position; for if Mr. Clay's bill + impoverishes the treasury too much, what shall be said of one that + impoverishes it still more? But it is not sound in itself. It is not true + that Mr. Clay's bill prevents the passage of one more favorable to us of + the new States. Considering the strength and opposite interest of the old + States, the wonder is that they ever permitted one to pass so favorable as + Mr. Clay's. The last twenty-odd years' efforts to reduce the price of the + lands, and to pass graduation bills and cession bills, prove the assertion + to be true; and if there were no experience in support of it, the reason + itself is plain. The States in which none, or few, of the public lands + lie, and those consequently interested against parting with them except + for the best price, are the majority; and a moment's reflection will show + that they must ever continue the majority, because by the time one of the + original new States (Ohio, for example) becomes populous and gets weight + in Congress, the public lands in her limits are so nearly sold out that in + every point material to this question she becomes an old State. She does + not wish the price reduced, because there is none left for her citizens to + buy; she does not wish them ceded to the States in which they lie, because + they no longer lie in her limits, and she will get nothing by the cession. + In the nature of things, the States interested in the reduction of price, + in graduation, in cession, and in all similar projects, never can be the + majority. Nor is there reason to hope that any of them can ever succeed as + a Democratic party measure, because we have heretofore seen that party in + full power, year after year, with many of their leaders making loud + professions in favor of these projects, and yet doing nothing. What + reason, then, is there to believe they will hereafter do better? In every + light in which we can view this question, it amounts simply to this: Shall + we accept our share of the proceeds under Mr. Clay's bill, or shall we + rather reject that and get nothing? + </p> + <p> + The fifth resolution recommends that a Whig candidate for Congress be run + in every district, regardless of the chances of success. We are aware that + it is sometimes a temporary gratification, when a friend cannot succeed, + to be able to choose between opponents; but we believe that that + gratification is the seed-time which never fails to be followed by a most + abundant harvest of bitterness. By this policy we entangle ourselves. By + voting for our opponents, such of us as do it in some measure estop + ourselves to complain of their acts, however glaringly wrong we may + believe them to be. By this policy no one portion of our friends can ever + be certain as to what course another portion may adopt; and by this want + of mutual and perfect understanding our political identity is partially + frittered away and lost. And, again, those who are thus elected by our aid + ever become our bitterest persecutors. Take a few prominent examples. In + 1830 Reynolds was elected Governor; in 1835 we exerted our whole strength + to elect Judge Young to the United States Senate, which effort, though + failing, gave him the prominence that subsequently elected him; in 1836 + General Ewing, was so elected to the United States Senate; and yet let us + ask what three men have been more perseveringly vindictive in their + assaults upon all our men and measures than they? During the last summer + the whole State was covered with pamphlet editions of misrepresentations + against us, methodized into chapters and verses, written by two of these + same men,—Reynolds and Young, in which they did not stop at charging + us with error merely, but roundly denounced us as the designing enemies of + human liberty, itself. If it be the will of Heaven that such men shall + politically live, be it so; but never, never again permit them to draw a + particle of their sustenance from us. + </p> + <p> + The sixth resolution recommends the adoption of the convention system for + the nomination of candidates. This we believe to be of the very first + importance. Whether the system is right in itself we do not stop to + inquire; contenting ourselves with trying to show that, while our + opponents use it, it is madness in us not to defend ourselves with it. + Experience has shown that we cannot successfully defend ourselves without + it. For examples, look at the elections of last year. Our candidate for + governor, with the approbation of a large portion of the party, took the + field without a nomination, and in open opposition to the system. Wherever + in the counties the Whigs had held conventions and nominated candidates + for the Legislature, the aspirants who were not nominated were induced to + rebel against the nominations, and to become candidates, as is said, "on + their own hook." And, go where you would into a large Whig county, you + were sure to find the Whigs not contending shoulder to shoulder against + the common enemy, but divided into factions, and fighting furiously with + one another. The election came, and what was the result? The governor + beaten, the Whig vote being decreased many thousands since 1840, although + the Democratic vote had not increased any. Beaten almost everywhere for + members of the Legislature,—Tazewell, with her four hundred Whig + majority, sending a delegation half Democratic; Vermillion, with her five + hundred, doing the same; Coles, with her four hundred, sending two out of + three; and Morgan, with her two hundred and fifty, sending three out of + four,—and this to say nothing of the numerous other less glaring + examples; the whole winding up with the aggregate number of twenty-seven + Democratic representatives sent from Whig counties. As to the senators, + too, the result was of the same character. And it is most worthy to be + remembered that of all the Whigs in the State who ran against the regular + nominees, a single one only was elected. Although they succeeded in + defeating the nominees almost by scores, they too were defeated, and the + spoils chucklingly borne off by the common enemy. + </p> + <p> + We do not mention the fact of many of the Whigs opposing the convention + system heretofore for the purpose of censuring them. Far from it. We + expressly protest against such a conclusion. We know they were generally, + perhaps universally, as good and true Whigs as we ourselves claim to be. + </p> + <p> + We mention it merely to draw attention to the disastrous result it + produced, as an example forever hereafter to be avoided. That "union is + strength" is a truth that has been known, illustrated, and declared in + various ways and forms in all ages of the world. That great fabulist and + philosopher Aesop illustrated it by his fable of the bundle of sticks; and + he whose wisdom surpasses that of all philosophers has declared that "a + house divided against itself cannot stand." It is to induce our friends to + act upon this important and universally acknowledged truth that we urge + the adoption of the convention system. Reflection will prove that there is + no other way of practically applying it. In its application we know there + will be incidents temporarily painful; but, after all, those incidents + will be fewer and less intense with than without the system. If two + friends aspire to the same office it is certain that both cannot succeed. + Would it not, then, be much less painful to have the question decided by + mutual friends some time before, than to snarl and quarrel until the day + of election, and then both be beaten by the common enemy? + </p> + <p> + Before leaving this subject, we think proper to remark that we do not + understand the resolution as intended to recommend the application of the + convention system to the nomination of candidates for the small offices no + way connected with politics; though we must say we do not perceive that + such an application of it would be wrong. + </p> + <p> + The seventh resolution recommends the holding of district conventions in + May next, for the purpose of nominating candidates for Congress. The + propriety of this rests upon the same reasons with that of the sixth, and + therefore needs no further discussion. + </p> + <p> + The eighth and ninth also relate merely to the practical application of + the foregoing, and therefore need no discussion. + </p> + <p> + Before closing, permit us to add a few reflections on the present + condition and future prospects of the Whig party. In almost all the States + we have fallen into the minority, and despondency seems to prevail + universally among us. Is there just cause for this? In 1840 we carried the + nation by more than a hundred and forty thousand majority. Our opponents + charged that we did it by fraudulent voting; but whatever they may have + believed, we know the charge to be untrue. Where, now, is that mighty + host? Have they gone over to the enemy? Let the results of the late + elections answer. Every State which has fallen off from the Whig cause + since 1840 has done so not by giving more Democratic votes than they did + then, but by giving fewer Whig. Bouck, who was elected Democratic Governor + of New York last fall by more than 15,000 majority, had not then as many + votes as he had in 1840, when he was beaten by seven or eight thousand. + And so has it been in all the other States which have fallen away from our + cause. From this it is evident that tens of thousands in the late + elections have not voted at all. Who and what are they? is an important + question, as respects the future. They can come forward and give us the + victory again. That all, or nearly all, of them are Whigs is most + apparent. Our opponents, stung to madness by the defeat of 1840, have ever + since rallied with more than their usual unanimity. It has not been they + that have been kept from the polls. These facts show what the result must + be, once the people again rally in their entire strength. Proclaim these + facts, and predict this result; and although unthinking opponents may + smile at us, the sagacious ones will "believe and tremble." And why shall + the Whigs not all rally again? Are their principles less dear now than in + 1840? Have any of their doctrines since then been discovered to be untrue? + It is true, the victory of 1840 did not produce the happy results + anticipated; but it is equally true, as we believe, that the unfortunate + death of General Harrison was the cause of the failure. It was not the + election of General Harrison that was expected to produce happy effects, + but the measures to be adopted by his administration. By means of his + death, and the unexpected course of his successor, those measures were + never adopted. How could the fruits follow? The consequences we always + predicted would follow the failure of those measures have followed, and + are now upon us in all their horrors. By the course of Mr. Tyler the + policy of our opponents has continued in operation, still leaving them + with the advantage of charging all its evils upon us as the results of a + Whig administration. Let none be deceived by this somewhat plausible, + though entirely false charge. If they ask us for the sufficient and sound + currency we promised, let them be answered that we only promised it + through the medium of a national bank, which they, aided by Mr. Tyler, + prevented our establishing. And let them be reminded, too, that their own + policy in relation to the currency has all the time been, and still is, in + full operation. Let us then again come forth in our might, and by a second + victory accomplish that which death prevented in the first. We can do it. + When did the Whigs ever fail if they were fully aroused and united? Even + in single States, under such circumstances, defeat seldom overtakes them. + Call to mind the contested elections within the last few years, and + particularly those of Moore and Letcher from Kentucky, Newland and Graham + from North Carolina, and the famous New Jersey case. In all these + districts Locofocoism had stalked omnipotent before; but when the whole + people were aroused by its enormities on those occasions, they put it + down, never to rise again. + </p> + <p> + We declare it to be our solemn conviction, that the Whigs are always a + majority of this nation; and that to make them always successful needs but + to get them all to the polls and to vote unitedly. This is the great + desideratum. Let us make every effort to attain it. At every election, let + every Whig act as though he knew the result to depend upon his action. In + the great contest of 1840 some more than twenty one hundred thousand votes + were cast, and so surely as there shall be that many, with the ordinary + increase added, cast in 1844 that surely will a Whig be elected President + of the United States. + </p> + <p> + A. LINCOLN. S. T. LOGAN. A. T. BLEDSOE. + </p> + <p> + March 4, 1843. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0071" id="link2H_4_0071"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO JOHN BENNETT. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, March 7, 1843. + </h3> + <p> + FRIEND BENNETT: + </p> + <p> + Your letter of this day was handed me by Mr. Miles. It is too late now to + effect the object you desire. On yesterday morning the most of the Whig + members from this district got together and agreed to hold the convention + at Tremont in Tazewell County. I am sorry to hear that any of the Whigs of + your county, or indeed of any county, should longer be against + conventions. On last Wednesday evening a meeting of all the Whigs then + here from all parts of the State was held, and the question of the + propriety of conventions was brought up and fully discussed, and at the + end of the discussion a resolution recommending the system of conventions + to all the Whigs of the State was unanimously adopted. Other resolutions + were also passed, all of which will appear in the next Journal. The + meeting also appointed a committee to draft an address to the people of + the State, which address will also appear in the next journal. + </p> + <p> + In it you will find a brief argument in favor of conventions—and + although I wrote it myself I will say to you that it is conclusive upon + the point and can not be reasonably answered. The right way for you to do + is hold your meeting and appoint delegates any how, and if there be any + who will not take part, let it be so. The matter will work so well this + time that even they who now oppose will come in next time. + </p> + <p> + The convention is to be held at Tremont on the 5th of April and according + to the rule we have adopted your county is to have delegates—being + double your representation. + </p> + <p> + If there be any good Whig who is disposed to stick out against conventions + get him at least to read the arguement in their favor in the address. + </p> + <p> + Yours as ever, + </p> + <p> + A. LINCOLN. <a name="link2H_4_0072" id="link2H_4_0072"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + JOSHUA F. SPEED. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, March 24, 1843. + </h3> + <p> + DEAR SPEED:—We had a meeting of the Whigs of the county here on last + Monday to appoint delegates to a district convention; and Baker beat me, + and got the delegation instructed to go for him. The meeting, in spite of + my attempt to decline it, appointed me one of the delegates; so that in + getting Baker the nomination I shall be fixed a good deal like a fellow + who is made a groomsman to a man that has cut him out and is marrying his + own dear "gal." About the prospects of your having a namesake at our town, + can't say exactly yet. + </p> + <p> + A. LINCOLN. <a name="link2H_4_0073" id="link2H_4_0073"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO MARTIN M. MORRIS. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, ILL., March 26, 1843. + </h3> + <p> + FRIEND MORRIS: + </p> + <p> + Your letter of the a 3 d, was received on yesterday morning, and for which + (instead of an excuse, which you thought proper to ask) I tender you my + sincere thanks. It is truly gratifying to me to learn that, while the + people of Sangamon have cast me off, my old friends of Menard, who have + known me longest and best, stick to me. It would astonish, if not amuse, + the older citizens to learn that I (a stranger, friendless, uneducated, + penniless boy, working on a flatboat at ten dollars per month) have been + put down here as the candidate of pride, wealth, and aristocratic family + distinction. Yet so, chiefly, it was. There was, too, the strangest + combination of church influence against me. Baker is a Campbellite; and + therefore, as I suppose, with few exceptions got all that church. My wife + has some relations in the Presbyterian churches, and some with the + Episcopal churches; and therefore, wherever it would tell, I was set down + as either the one or the other, while it was everywhere contended that no + Christian ought to go for me, because I belonged to no church, was + suspected of being a deist, and had talked about fighting a duel. With all + these things, Baker, of course, had nothing to do. Nor do I complain of + them. As to his own church going for him, I think that was right enough, + and as to the influences I have spoken of in the other, though they were + very strong, it would be grossly untrue and unjust to charge that they + acted upon them in a body or were very near so. I only mean that those + influences levied a tax of a considerable per cent. upon my strength + throughout the religious controversy. But enough of this. + </p> + <p> + You say that in choosing a candidate for Congress you have an equal right + with Sangamon, and in this you are undoubtedly correct. In agreeing to + withdraw if the Whigs of Sangamon should go against me, I did not mean + that they alone were worth consulting, but that if she, with her heavy + delegation, should be against me, it would be impossible for me to + succeed, and therefore I had as well decline. And in relation to Menard + having rights, permit me fully to recognize them, and to express the + opinion that, if she and Mason act circumspectly, they will in the + convention be able so far to enforce their rights as to decide absolutely + which one of the candidates shall be successful. Let me show the reason of + this. Hardin, or some other Morgan candidate, will get Putnam, Marshall, + Woodford, Tazewell, and Logan—making sixteen. Then you and Mason, + having three, can give the victory to either side. + </p> + <p> + You say you shall instruct your delegates for me, unless I object. I + certainly shall not object. That would be too pleasant a compliment for me + to tread in the dust. And besides, if anything should happen (which, + however, is not probable) by which Baker should be thrown out of the + fight, I would be at liberty to accept the nomination if I could get it. I + do, however, feel myself bound not to hinder him in any way from getting + the nomination. I should despise myself were I to attempt it. I think, + then, it would be proper for your meeting to appoint three delegates and + to instruct them to go for some one as the first choice, some one else as + a second, and perhaps some one as a third; and if in those instructions I + were named as the first choice, it would gratify me very much. If you wish + to hold the balance of power, it is important for you to attend to and + secure the vote of Mason also: You should be sure to have men appointed + delegates that you know you can safely confide in. If yourself and James + Short were appointed from your county, all would be safe; but whether + Jim's woman affair a year ago might not be in the way of his appointment + is a question. I don't know whether you know it, but I know him to be as + honorable a man as there is in the world. You have my permission, and even + request, to show this letter to Short; but to no one else, unless it be a + very particular friend who you know will not speak of it. + </p> + <p> + Yours as ever, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + P. S Will you write me again? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0074" id="link2H_4_0074"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO MARTIN M. MORRIS. + </h2> + <h3> + April 14, 1843. + </h3> + <p> + FRIEND MORRIS: + </p> + <p> + I have heard it intimated that Baker has been attempting to get you or + Miles, or both of you, to violate the instructions of the meeting that + appointed you, and to go for him. I have insisted, and still insist, that + this cannot be true. Surely Baker would not do the like. As well might + Hardin ask me to vote for him in the convention. Again, it is said there + will be an attempt to get up instructions in your county requiring you to + go for Baker. This is all wrong. Upon the same rule, Why might not I fly + from the decision against me in Sangamon, and get up instructions to their + delegates to go for me? There are at least twelve hundred Whigs in the + county that took no part, and yet I would as soon put my head in the fire + as to attempt it. Besides, if any one should get the nomination by such + extraordinary means, all harmony in the district would inevitably be lost. + Honest Whigs (and very nearly all of them are honest) would not quietly + abide such enormities. I repeat, such an attempt on Baker's part cannot be + true. Write me at Springfield how the matter is. Don't show or speak of + this letter. + </p> + <p> + A. LINCOLN <a name="link2H_4_0075" id="link2H_4_0075"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO GEN. J. J. HARDIN. + </h2> + <h3> + SPRINGFIELD, May 11, 1843. + </h3> + <p> + FRIEND HARDIN: + </p> + <p> + Butler informs me that he received a letter from you, in which you + expressed some doubt whether the Whigs of Sangamon will support you + cordially. You may, at once, dismiss all fears on that subject. We have + already resolved to make a particular effort to give you the very largest + majority possible in our county. From this, no Whig of the county + dissents. We have many objects for doing it. We make it a matter of honor + and pride to do it; we do it because we love the Whig cause; we do it + because we like you personally; and last, we wish to convince you that we + do not bear that hatred to Morgan County that you people have so long + seemed to imagine. You will see by the journals of this week that we + propose, upon pain of losing a barbecue, to give you twice as great a + majority in this county as you shall receive in your own. I got up the + proposal. + </p> + <p> + Who of the five appointed is to write the district address? I did the + labor of writing one address this year, and got thunder for my reward. + Nothing new here. + </p> + <p> + Yours as ever, A. LINCOLN. + </p> + <p> + P. S.—I wish you would measure one of the largest of those swords we + took to Alton and write me the length of it, from tip of the point to tip + of the hilt, in feet and inches. I have a dispute about the length. + </p> + <p> + A. L. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Papers And Writings Of Abraham +Lincoln, Volume One, by Abraham Lincoln + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LINCOLN'S PAPERS *** + +***** This file should be named 2653-h.htm or 2653-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/5/2653/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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