Inhisfirstinauguraladdress，whenasyetnotadropofpreciousbloodhadbeenshed，whileheheldouttothemtheolivebranchinonehand，intheotherhepresentedtheguaranteesoftheConstitution，andafterrecitingtheemphaticresolutionoftheconventionthatnominatedhim，thatthemaintenanceinviolateofthe"rightsoftheStates，andespeciallytherightofeachStatetoorderandcontrolitsowndomesticinstitutionsaccordingtoitsownjudgmentexclusively，isessentialtothatbalanceofpoweronwhichtheperfectionandenduranceofourpoliticalfabricdepend，"hereiteratedthissentiment，anddeclared，withnomentalreservation，"thatalltheprotectionwhich，consistentlywiththeConstitutionandthelaws，canbegiven，willbecheerfullygiventoalltheStateswhenlawfullydemandedforwhatevercauseascheerfullytoonesectionastoanother。"

When，however，thesemagnanimousoverturesforpeaceandreunionwererejected；whenthesecedingStatesdefiedtheConstitutionandeveryclauseandprincipleofit；whentheypersistedinstayingoutoftheUnionfromwhichtheyhadseceded，andproceededtocarveoutofitsterritoryanewandhostileempirebasedonslavery；whentheyflewatthethroatofthenationandplungeditintothebloodiestwarofthenineteenthcenturythetableswereturned，andthebeliefgraduallycametothemindofthePresidentthatiftheRebellionwasnotsoonsubduedbyforceofarms，ifthewarmustbefoughtouttothebitterend，thentoreachthatendthesalvationofthenationitselfmightrequirethedestructionofslaverywhereveritexisted；thatifthewarwastocontinueononesideforDisunion，fornootherpurposethantopreserveslavery，itmustcontinueontheothersidefortheUnion，todestroyslavery。

Ashesaid，"Eventscontrolme；Icannotcontrolevents，"andasthedreadfulwarprogressedandbecamemoredeadlyanddangerous，theunalterableconvictionwasforceduponhimthat，inorderthatthefrightfulsacrificeoflifeandtreasureonbothsidesmightnotbeallinvain，ithadbecomehisdutyasCommander—in—

ChiefoftheArmy，asanecessarywarmeasure，tostrikeablowattheRebellionwhich，allothersfailing，wouldinevitablyleadtoitsannihilation，byannihilatingtheverythingforwhichitwascontending。Hisownwordsarethebest：

"IunderstoodthatmyoathtopreservetheConstitutiontothebestofmyabilityimposeduponmethedutyofpreservingbyeveryindispensablemeansthatgovernment——thatnation——ofwhichthatConstitutionwastheorganiclaw。WasitpossibletolosethenationandyetpreservetheConstitution？Bygenerallaw，lifeandlimbmustbeprotected，yetoftenalimbmustbeamputatedtosavealife；butalifeisneverwiselygiventosavealimb。IfeltthatmeasuresotherwiseunconstitutionalmightbecomelawfulbybecomingindispensabletothepreservationoftheConstitutionthroughthepreservationofthenation。

Rightorwrong，Iassumedthisgroundandnowavowit。IcouldnotfeelthattothebestofmyabilityIhadevertriedtopreservetheConstitutioniftosaveslaveryoranyminormatterIshouldpermitthewreckofgovernment，country，andConstitutionalltogether。"

Andso，atlast，wheninhisjudgmenttheindispensablenecessityhadcome，hestruckthefatalblow，andsignedtheproclamationwhichhasmadehisnameimmortal。Byit，thePresident，asCommander—in—Chiefintimeofactualarmedrebellion，andasafitandnecessarywarmeasureforsuppressingtherebellion，proclaimedallpersonsheldasslavesintheStatesandpartsofStatestheninrebelliontobethenceforwardfree，anddeclaredthattheexecutive，withthearmyandnavy，wouldrecognizeandmaintaintheirfreedom。

Intheothergreatstepsofthegovernment，whichledtothetriumphantprosecutionofthewar，henecessarilysharedtheresponsibilityandthecreditwiththegreatstatesmenwhostayeduphishandsinhiscabinet，withSeward，ChaseandStanton，andtherest，——andwithhisgeneralsandadmirals，hissoldiersandsailors，butthisgreatactwasabsolutelyhisown。Theconceptionandexecutionwereexclusivelyhis。Helaiditbeforehiscabinetasameasureonwhichhismindwasmadeupandcouldnotbechanged，askingthemonlyforsuggestionsastodetails。

HechosethetimeandthecircumstancesunderwhichtheEmancipationshouldbeproclaimedandwhenitshouldtakeeffect。

Itcamenotanhourtoosoon；butpublicopinionintheNorthwouldnothavesustaineditearlier。InthefirsteighteenmonthsofthewaritsravageshadextendedfromtheAtlantictobeyondtheMississippi。ManyvictoriesintheWesthadbeenbalancedandparalyzedbyinactionanddisastersinVirginia，onlypartiallyredeemedbythebloodyandindecisivebattleofAntietam；areactionhadsetinfromthegeneralenthusiasmwhichhadswepttheNorthernStatesaftertheassaultuponSumter。Itcouldnottrulybesaidthattheyhadlostheart，butfactionwasraisingitshead。Heardthroughthelandliketheblastofabugle，theproclamationralliedthepatriotismofthecountrytofreshsacrificesandrenewedardor。Itwasastepthatcouldnotberevoked。Itrelievedtheconscienceofthenationfromanincubusthathadoppresseditfromitsbirth。TheUnitedStateswererescuedfromthefalsepredicamentinwhichtheyhadbeenfromthebeginning，andthegreatpopularheartleapedwithnewenthusiasmfor"LibertyandUnion，henceforthandforever，oneandinseparable。"Itbroughtnotonlymoralbutmaterialsupporttothecauseofthegovernment，forwithintwoyears120，000

coloredtroopswereenlistedinthemilitaryserviceandfollowingthenationalflag，supportedbyalltheloyaltyoftheNorth，andledbyitschoicestspirits。Onemothersaid，whenhersonwasofferedthecommandofthefirstcoloredregiment，"IfheacceptsitIshallbeasproudasifIhadheardthathewasshot。"Hewasshotheadingagallantchargeofhisregiment……TheConfederatesrepliedtoarequestofhisfriendsforhisbodythattheyhad"buriedhimunderalayerofhisniggers……；"butthatmotherhaslivedtoenjoythirty—sixyearsofhisglory，andBostonhaserecteditsnoblestmonumenttohismemory。

Theeffectoftheproclamationupontheactualprogressofthewarwasnotimmediate，butwherevertheFederalarmiesadvancedtheycarriedfreedomwiththem，andwhenthesummercameroundthenewspiritandforcewhichhadanimatedtheheartofthegovernmentandpeopleweremanifest。InthefirstweekofJulythedecisivebattleofGettysburgturnedthetideofwar，andthefallofVicksburgmadethegreatriverfreefromitssourcetotheGulf。

Onforeignnationstheinfluenceoftheproclamationandofthesenewvictorieswasofgreatimportance。Inthosedays，whentherewasnocable，itwasnoteasyforforeignobserverstoappreciatewhatwasreallygoingon；theycouldnotseeclearlythetruestateofaffairs，asinthelastyearofthenineteenthcenturywehavebeenable，byournewelectricvision，towatcheveryeventattheantipodesandobserveitseffect。TheRebelemissaries，sentovertosolicitintervention，sparednopainstoimpressuponthemindsofpublicandprivatemenanduponthepresstheirownviewsofthecharacterofthecontest。TheprospectsoftheConfederacywerealwaysbetterabroadthanathome。Thestockmarketsoftheworldgambleduponitschances，anditsbondsatonetimewerehighinfavor。

Suchideasasthesewereseriouslyheld：thattheNorthwasfightingforempireandtheSouthforindependence；thattheSouthernStates，insteadofbeingthegrossestoligarchies，essentiallydespotisms，foundedontherightofonemantoappropriatethefruitofothermen’stoilandtoexcludethemfromequalrights，wererealrepublics，feeblertobesurethantheirNorthernrivals，butrepresentingthesameideaoffreedom，andthatthemightystrengthofthenationwasbeingputforthtocrushthem；thatJeffersonDavisandtheSouthernleadershadcreatedanation；thattherepublicanexperimenthadfailedandtheUnionhadceasedtoexist。Butthecrowningargumenttoforeignmindswasthatitwasanutterimpossibilityforthegovernmenttowininthecontest；thatthesuccessoftheSouthernStates，sofarasseparationwasconcerned，wasascertainasanyeventyetfutureandcontingentcouldbe；thatthesubjugationoftheSouthbytheNorth，evenifitcouldbeaccomplished，wouldproveacalamitytotheUnitedStatesandtheworld，andespeciallycalamitoustothenegrorace；andthatsuchavictorywouldnecessarilyleavethepeopleoftheSouthformanygenerationscherishingdeadlyhostilityagainstthegovernmentandtheNorth，andplottingalwaystorecovertheirindependence。

WhenLincolnissuedhisproclamationheknewthatalltheseideaswerefoundedinerror；thatthenationalresourceswereinexhaustible；thatthegovernmentcouldandwouldwin，andthatifslaverywereoncefinallydisposedof，theonlycauseofdifferencebeingoutoftheway，theNorthandSouthwouldcometogetheragain，andbyandbybeasgoodfriendsasever。InmanyquartersabroadtheproclamationwaswelcomedwithenthusiasmbythefriendsofAmerica；butIthinkthedemonstrationsinitsfavorthatbroughtmoregladnesstoLincoln’sheartthananyotherwerethemeetingsheldinthemanufacturingcentres，bytheveryoperativesuponwhomthewarborethehardest，expressingthemostenthusiasticsympathywiththeproclamation，whiletheyborewithheroicfortitudethegrievousprivationswhichthewarentaileduponthem。Mr。

Lincoln’sexpectationwhenheannouncedtotheworldthatallslavesinallStatestheninrebellionweresetfreemusthavebeenthattheavowedpositionofhisgovernment，thatthecontinuanceofthewarnowmeanttheannihilationofslavery，wouldmakeinterventionimpossibleforanyforeignnationwhosepeoplewereloversofliberty——andsotheresultproved。

ThegrowthanddevelopmentofLincoln’smentalpowerandmoralforce，ofhisintenseandmagneticpersonality，afterthevastresponsibilitiesofgovernmentwerethrownuponhimattheageoffifty—two，furnisharareandstrikingillustrationofthemarvellouscapacityandadaptabilityofthehumanintellect——ofthesoundmindinthesoundbody。HecametothedischargeofthegreatdutiesofthePresidencywithabsolutelynoexperienceintheadministrationofgovernment，orofthevastlyvariedandcomplicatedquestionsofforeignanddomesticpolicywhichimmediatelyarose，andcontinuedtopressuponhimduringtherestofhislife；buthemasteredeachasitcame，apparentlywiththefacilityofatrainedandexperiencedruler。AsClarendonsaidofCromwell，"Hispartsseemedtoberaisedbythedemandsofgreatstation。"Hislifethroughitallwasoneofintenselabor，anxiety，anddistress，withoutonehourofpeacefulreposefromfirsttolast。Butherosetoeveryoccasion。Heledpublicopinion，butdidnotmarchsofarinadvanceofitastofailofitseffectivesupportineverygreatemergency。Heknewtheheartandthoughtofthepeople，asnomannotinconstantandabsolutesympathywiththemcouldhaveknownit，andsoholdingtheirconfidence，hetriumphedthroughandwiththem。Notonlywastherethissteadygrowthofintellect，buttheinfinitedelicacyofhisnatureanditscapacityforrefinementdevelopedalso，asexhibitedinthepurityandperfectionofhislanguageandstyleofspeech。Theroughbackwoodsman，whohadneverseentheinsideofauniversity，becameintheend，byself—trainingandtheexerciseofhisownpowersofmind，heart，andsoul，amasterofstyle，andsomeofhisutteranceswillrankwiththebest，themostperfectlyadaptedtotheoccasionwhichproducedthem。

Haveyoutimetolistentohistwo—minutesspeechatGettysburg，atthededicationoftheSoldiers’Cemetery？Hiswholesoulwasinit：

"Fourscoreandsevenyearsagoourfathersbroughtforthonthiscontinentanewnation，conceivedinlibertyanddedicatedtothepropositionthatallmenarecreatedequal。Nowweareengagedinagreatcivilwar，testingwhetherthatnation，oranynationsoconceivedandsodedicated，canlongendure。Wearemetonagreatbattlefieldofthatwar。Wehavecometodedicateaportionofthatfieldasafinalresting—placeforthosewhoheregavetheirlivesthatthatnationmightlive。Itisaltogetherfittingandproperthatweshoulddothis。Butinalargersensewecannotdedicate——wecannotconsecrate——wecannothallowthisground。Thebravemen，livinganddead，whostruggledherehaveconsecrateditfaraboveourpoorpowertoaddordetract。Theworldwilllittlenote，norlongremember，whatwesayherebutitcanneverforgetwhattheydidhere。Itisforus，theliving，rather，tobededicatedheretotheunfinishedworkwhichtheywhofoughtherehavethusfarsonoblyadvanced。Itisratherforustobeherededicatedtothegreattaskremainingbeforeusthatfromthesehonoreddeadwetakeincreaseddevotiontothatcauseforwhichtheygavethelastfullmeasureofdevotion——thatweherehighlyresolvethatthesedeadshallnothavediedinvain——thatthisnationunderGodshallhaveanewbirthoffreedom——andthatgovernmentofthepeople，bythepeople，andforthepeopleshallnotperishfromtheearth。"

Helivedtoseehisworkindorsedbyanoverwhelmingmajorityofhiscountrymen。Inhissecondinauguraladdress，pronouncedjustfortydaysbeforehisdeath，thereisasinglepassagewhichwelldisplayshisindomitablewillandatthesametimehisdeepreligiousfeeling，hissublimecharitytotheenemiesofhiscountry，andhisbroadandcatholichumanity：

"IfweshallsupposethatAmericanslaveryisoneofthoseoffenceswhichintheProvidenceofGodmustneedscome，butwhich，havingcontinuedthroughtheappointedtime，Henowwillstoremove，andthatHegivestobothNorthandSouththisterriblewar，asthewoeduetothosebywhomtheoffencecame，shallwediscernthereinanydeparturefromthosedivineattributeswhichthebelieversinalivingGodalwaysascribetoHim？Fondlydowehope，ferventlydowepray，thatthismightyscourgeofwarmayspeedilypassaway。Yet，ifGodwillsthatitcontinueuntilallthewealthpiledbythebondsmen’stwohundredandfiftyyearsofunrequitedtoilshallbesunk，anduntileverydropofblooddrawnwiththelashshallbepaidwithanotherdrawnbythesword，aswassaidthreethousandyearsago，sostillitmustbesaid，’thejudgmentsoftheLordaretrueandrighteousaltogether。’

"Withmalicetowardnone，withcharityforall，withfirmnessintherightasGodgivesustoseetherightletusstriveontofinishtheworkweareintobindupthenation’swounds；tocareforhimwhoshallhavebornethebattleandforhiswidowandhisorphantodoallwhichmayachieve，andcherishajustandlastingpeaceamongourselves，andwithallnations。"

Hisprayerwasanswered。Thefortydaysoflifethatremainedtohimwerecrownedwithgreathistoricevents。HelivedtoseehisProclamationofEmancipationembodiedinanamendmentoftheConstitution，adoptedbyCongress，andsubmittedtotheStatesforratification。Themightyscourgeofwardidspeedilypassaway，foritwasgivenhimtowitnessthesurrenderoftheRebelarmyandthefalloftheircapital，andthestarryflagthathelovedwavingintriumphoverthenationalsoil。Whenhediedbythemadman’shandinthesupremehourofvictory，thevanquishedlosttheirbestfriend，andthehumanraceoneofitsnoblestexamples；andallthefriendsoffreedomandjustice，inwhosecausehelivedanddied，joinedhandsasmournersathisgrave。

THEWRITINGSOFABRAHAMLINCOLN

1832—1843

1832

ADDRESSTOTHEPEOPLEOFSANGAMONCOUNTY。

March9，1832。

FELLOWCITIZENS：——HavingbecomeacandidateforthehonorableofficeofoneofyourRepresentativesinthenextGeneralAssemblyofthisState，inaccordingwithanestablishedcustomandtheprinciplesoftrueRepublicanismitbecomesmydutytomakeknowntoyou，thepeoplewhomIproposetorepresent，mysentimentswithregardtolocalaffairs。

Timeandexperiencehaveverifiedtoademonstrationthepublicutilityofinternalimprovements。Thatthepoorestandmostthinlypopulatedcountrieswouldbegreatlybenefitedbytheopeningofgoodroads，andintheclearingofnavigablestreamswithintheirlimits，iswhatnopersonwilldeny。Yetitisfollytoundertakeworksofthisoranyotherwithoutfirstknowingthatweareabletofinishthem——ashalf—finishedworkgenerallyprovestobelaborlost。Therecannotjustlybeanyobjectiontohavingrailroadsandcanals，anymorethantoothergoodthings，providedtheycostnothing。Theonlyobjectionistopayingforthem；andtheobjectionarisesfromthewantofabilitytopay。

WithrespecttotheCountyofSangamon，some……

Yet，howeverdesirableanobjecttheconstructionofarailroadthroughourcountrymaybe，howeverhighourimaginationsmaybeheatedatthoughtsofit，——thereisalwaysaheart—appallingshockaccompanyingtheamountofitscost，whichforcesustoshrinkfromourpleasinganticipations。Theprobablecostofthiscontemplatedrailroadisestimatedat$290，000；thebarestatementofwhich，inmyopinion，issufficienttojustifythebeliefthattheimprovementoftheSangamonRiverisanobjectmuchbettersuitedtoourinfantresources……

Whatthecostofthisworkwouldbe，Iamunabletosay。Itisprobable，however，thatitwouldnotbegreaterthaniscommontostreamsofthesamelength。Finally，IbelievetheimprovementoftheSangamonRivertobevastlyimportantandhighlydesirabletothepeopleofthecounty；and，ifelected，anymeasureintheLegislaturehavingthisforitsobject，whichmayappearjudicious，willmeetmyapprobationandreceivemysupport。

Itappearsthatthepracticeofloaningmoneyatexorbitantratesofinteresthasalreadybeenopenedasafieldfordiscussion；soIsupposeImayenteruponitwithoutclaimingthehonororriskingthedangerwhichmayawaititsfirstexplorer。Itseemsasthoughwearenevertohaveanendtothisbanefulandcorrodingsystem，actingalmostasprejudiciallytothegeneralinterestsofthecommunityasadirecttaxofseveralthousanddollarsannuallylaidoneachcountyforthebenefitofafewindividualsonly，unlesstherebealawmadefixingthelimitsofusury。Alawforthispurpose，Iamofopinion，maybemadewithoutmateriallyinjuringanyclassofpeople。Incasesofextremenecessity，therecouldalwaysbemeansfoundtocheatthelaw；whileinallothercasesitwouldhaveitsintendedeffect。

Iwouldfavorthepassageofalawonthissubjectwhichmightnotbeveryeasilyevaded。Letitbesuchthatthelaboranddifficultyofevadingitcouldonlybejustifiedincasesofgreatestnecessity。

Uponthesubjectofeducation，notpresumingtodictateanyplanorsystemrespectingit，IcanonlysaythatIviewitasthemostimportantsubjectwhichweasapeoplecanbeengagedin。

Thateverymanmayreceiveatleastamoderateeducation，andtherebybeenabledtoreadthehistoriesofhisownandothercountries，bywhichhemaydulyappreciatethevalueofourfreeinstitutions，appearstobeanobjectofvitalimportance，evenonthisaccountalone，tosaynothingoftheadvantagesandsatisfactiontobederivedfromallbeingabletoreadtheScriptures，andotherworksbothofareligiousandmoralnature，forthemselves。

Formypart，Idesiretoseethetimewheneducation——andbyitsmeans，morality，sobriety，enterprise，andindustry——shallbecomemuchmoregeneralthanatpresent，andshouldbegratifiedtohaveitinmypowertocontributesomethingtotheadvancementofanymeasurewhichmighthaveatendencytoacceleratethathappyperiod。

Withregardtoexistinglaws，somealterationsarethoughttobenecessary。Manyrespectablemenhavesuggestedthatourestraylaws，thelawrespectingtheissuingofexecutions，theroadlaw，andsomeothers，aredeficientintheirpresentform，andrequirealterations。But，consideringthegreatprobabilitythattheframersofthoselawswerewiserthanmyself，Ishouldprefernotmeddlingwiththem，unlesstheywerefirstattackedbyothers；inwhichcaseIshouldfeelitbothaprivilegeandadutytotakethatstandwhich，inmyview，mighttendmosttotheadvancementofjustice。

But，fellow—citizens，Ishallconclude。Consideringthegreatdegreeofmodestywhichshouldalwaysattendyouth，itisprobableIhavealreadybeenmorepresumingthanbecomesme。

However，uponthesubjectsofwhichIhavetreated，IhavespokenasIhavethought。Imaybewronginregardtoanyorallofthem；but，holdingitasoundmaximthatitisbetteronlysometimestoberightthanatalltimestobewrong，sosoonasI

discovermyopinionstobeerroneous，Ishallbereadytorenouncethem。

Everymanissaidtohavehispeculiarambition。Whetheritbetrueornot，Icansay，forone，thatIhavenoothersogreatasthatofbeingtrulyesteemedofmyfellow—men，byrenderingmyselfworthyoftheiresteem。HowfarIshallsucceedingratifyingthisambitionisyettobedeveloped。Iamyoung，andunknowntomanyofyou。Iwasborn，andhaveeverremained，inthemosthumblewalksoflife。Ihavenowealthyorpopularrelationsorfriendstorecommendme。Mycaseisthrownexclusivelyupontheindependentvotersofthecounty；and，ifelected，theywillhaveconferredafavoruponmeforwhichI

shallbeunremittinginmylaborstocompensate。But，ifthegoodpeopleintheirwisdomshallseefittokeepmeinthebackground，Ihavebeentoofamiliarwithdisappointmentstobeverymuchchagrined。

Yourfriendandfellow—citizen，A。LINCOLN。

NewSalem，March9，1832。

1833

TOE。C。BLANKENSHIP。

NEWSALEM，Aug。10，1833

E。C。BLANKENSHIP。

DearSir：——InregardtothetimeDavidRankinservedtheencloseddischargeshowscorrectly——aswellasIcanrecollect——havingnowritingtorefer。ThetransferofRankinfrommycompanyoccurredasfollows：RankinhavinglosthishorseatDixon’sferryandhavingacquaintanceinoneofthefootcompanieswhoweregoingdowntheriverwasdesiroustogowiththem，andoneGalishenbeinganacquaintanceofmineandbelongingtothecompanyinwhichRankinwishedtogowishedtoleaveitandjoinmine，thisbeingthecaseitwasagreedthattheyshouldexchangeplacesandanswertoeachother’snames——asitwasexpectedweallwouldbedischargedinveryfewdays。Astoablanket——I

havenoknowledgeofRankinevergettingany。Theaboveembracesallthefactsnowinmyrecollectionwhicharepertinenttothecase。

Ishalltakepleasureingivinganyfurtherinformationinmypowershouldyoucallonme。

Yourfriend，A。LINCOLN。

RESPONSETOREQUESTFORPOSTAGERECEIPT

TOMr。SPEARS。

Mr。SPEARS：

AtyourrequestIsendyouareceiptforthepostageonyourpaper。Iamsomewhatsurprisedatyourrequest。Iwill，however，complywithit。Thelawrequiresnewspaperpostagetobepaidinadvance，andnowthatIhavewaitedafullyearyouchoosetowoundmyfeelingsbyinsinuatingthatunlessyougetareceiptIwillprobablymakeyoupayitagain。

Respectfully，A。LINCOLN。

1836

ANNOUNCEMENTOFPOLITICALVIEWS。

NewSalem，June13，1836。

TOTHEEDITOROFTHE"JOURNAL"——InyourpaperoflastSaturdayI

seeacommunication，overthesignatureof"ManyVoters，"inwhichthecandidateswhoareannouncedintheJournalarecalleduponto"showtheirhands。"Agreed。Here’smine。

Igoforallsharingtheprivilegesofthegovernmentwhoassistinbearingitsburdens。Consequently，Igoforadmittingallwhitestotherightofsuffragewhopaytaxesorbeararms(bynomeansexcludingfemales)。

Ifelected，IshallconsiderthewholepeopleofSangamonmyconstituents，aswellthosethatopposeasthosethatsupportme。

Whileactingastheirrepresentative，IshallbegovernedbytheirwillonallsubjectsuponwhichIhavethemeansofknowingwhattheirwillis；anduponallothersIshalldowhatmyownjudgmentteachesmewillbestadvancetheirinterests。Whetherelectedornot，IgofordistributingtheproceedsofthesalesofthepubliclandstotheseveralStates，toenableourState，incommonwithothers，todigcanalsandconstructrailroadswithoutborrowingmoneyandpayingtheinterestonit。IfaliveonthefirstMondayinNovember，IshallvoteforHughL。WhiteforPresident。

Veryrespectfully，A。LINCOLN。

RESPONSETOPOLITICALSMEAR

TOROBERTALLEN

NewSalem，June21，1836

DEARCOLONEL：——Iamtoldthatduringmyabsencelastweekyoupassedthroughthisplace，andstatedpubliclythatyouwereinpossessionofafactorfactswhich，ifknowntothepublic，wouldentirelydestroytheprospectsofN。W。Edwardsandmyselfattheensuingelection；butthat，throughfavortous，youshouldforbeartodivulgethem。NoonehasneededfavorsmorethanI，and，generally，fewhavebeenlessunwillingtoacceptthem；butinthiscasefavortomewouldbeinjusticetothepublic，andthereforeImustbegyourpardonfordecliningit。ThatIoncehadtheconfidenceofthepeopleofSangamon，issufficientlyevident；andifIhavesincedoneanything，eitherbydesignormisadventure，whichifknownwouldsubjectmetoaforfeitureofthatconfidence，hethatknowsofthatthing，andconcealsit，isatraitortohiscountry’sinterest。

Ifindmyselfwhollyunabletoformanyconjectureofwhatfactorfacts，realorsupposed，youspoke；butmyopinionofyourveracitywillnotpermitmeforamomenttodoubtthatyouatleastbelievedwhatyousaid。Iamflatteredwiththepersonalregardyoumanifestedforme；butIdohopethat，onmorematurereflection，youwillviewthepublicinterestasaparamountconsideration，andthereforedeterminetolettheworstcome。I

hereassureyouthatthecandidstatementoffactsonyourpart，howeverlowitmaysinkme，shallneverbreakthetieofpersonalfriendshipbetweenus。Iwishananswertothis，andyouareatlibertytopublishboth，ifyouchoose。

Veryrespectfully，A。LINCOLN。

TOMISSMARYOWENS。

VANDALIA，December13，1836。

MARY：——Ihavebeensickeversincemyarrival，orIshouldhavewrittensooner。Itisbutlittledifference，however，asIhaveverylittleevenyettowrite。Andmore，thelongerIcanavoidthemortificationoflookinginthepost—officeforyourletterandnotfindingit，thebetter。YouseeIammadaboutthatoldletteryet。Idon’tlikeverywelltoriskyouagain。I’lltryyouoncemore，anyhow。

ThenewStateHouseisnotyetfinished，andconsequentlytheLegislatureisdoinglittleornothing。Thegovernordeliveredaninflammatorypoliticalmessage，anditisexpectedtherewillbesomesparringbetweenthepartiesaboutitassoonasthetwoHousesgettobusiness。Taylordelivereduphispetitionforthenewcountytooneofourmembersthismorning。Iamtoldhedespairsofitssuccess，onaccountofallthemembersfromMorganCountyopposingit。Therearenamesenoughonthepetition，Ithink，tojustifythemembersfromourcountyingoingforit；butifthemembersfromMorganopposeit，whichtheysaytheywill，thechancewillbebad。

OurchancetotaketheseatofgovernmenttoSpringfieldisbetterthanIexpected。Aninternal—improvementconventionwasheldtheresincewemet，whichrecommendedaloanofseveralmillionsofdollars，onthefaithoftheState，toconstructrailroads。SomeoftheLegislatureareforit，andsomeagainstit；whichhasthemajorityIcannottell。ThereisgreatstrifeandstrugglingfortheofficeoftheUnitedStatesSenatorhereatthistime。Itisprobableweshalleasetheirpainsinafewdays。Theoppositionmenhavenocandidateoftheirown，andconsequentlytheywillsmileascomplacentlyattheangrysnarlofthecontendingVanBurencandidatesandtheirrespectivefriendsastheChristiandoesatSatan’srage。YourecollectthatImentionedattheoutsetofthisletterthatIhadbeenunwell。Thatisthefact，thoughIbelieveIamaboutwellnow；

butthat，withotherthingsIcannotaccountfor，haveconspired，andhavegottenmyspiritssolowthatIfeelthatIwouldratherbeanyplaceintheworldthanhere。Ireallycannotendurethethoughtofstayingheretenweeks。Writebackassoonasyougetthis，and，ifpossible，saysomethingthatwillpleaseme，forreallyIhavenotbeenpleasedsinceIleftyou。ThisletterissodryandstupidthatIamashamedtosendit，butwithmypresentfeelingsIcannotdoanybetter。

GivemybestrespectstoMr。andMrs。Ableandfamily。

Yourfriend，LINCOLN

1837

SPEECHINILLINOISLEGISLATURE。

January[？]，1837

Mr。CHAIRMAN：——LestIshouldfallintothetoocommonerrorofbeingmistakeninregardtowhichsideIdesigntobeupon，I

shallmakeitmyfirstcaretoremovealldoubtonthatpoint，bydeclaringthatIamopposedtotheresolutionunderconsideration，intoto。BeforeIproceedtothebodyofthesubject，Iwillfurtherremark，thatitisnotwithoutaconsiderabledegreeofapprehensionthatIventuretocrossthetrackofthegentlemanfromColes[Mr。Linder]。Indeed，IdonotbelieveIcouldmusterasufficiencyofcouragetocomeincontactwiththatgentleman，wereitnotforthefactthathe，somedayssince，mostgraciouslycondescendedtoassureusthathewouldneverbefoundwastingammunitiononsmallgame。Onthesamefortunateoccasion，hefurthergaveustounderstand，thatheregardedhimselfasbeingdecidedlythesuperiorofourcommonfriendfromRandolph[Mr。Shields]；andfeeling，asIreallydo，thatI，tosaythemostofmyself，amnothingmorethanthepeerofourfriendfromRandolph，IshallregardthegentlemanfromColesasdecidedlymysuperioralso，andconsequently，inthecourseofwhatIshallhavetosay，wheneverIshallhaveoccasiontoalludetothatgentleman，IshallendeavortoadoptthatkindofcourtlanguagewhichIunderstandtobeduetodecidedsuperiority。Inonefaculty，atleast，therecanbenodisputeofthegentleman’ssuperiorityovermeandmostothermen，andthatis，thefacultyofentanglingasubject，sothatneitherhimself，oranyotherman，canfindheadortailtoit。

Herehehasintroducedaresolutionembracingninety—nineprintedlinesacrosscommonwritingpaper，andyetmorethanonehalfofhisopeningspeechhasbeenmadeuponsubjectsaboutwhichthereisnotonewordsaidinhisresolution。

ThoughhisresolutionembracesnothinginregardtotheconstitutionalityoftheBank，muchofwhathehassaidhasbeenwithaviewtomaketheimpressionthatitwasunconstitutionalinitsinception。Now，althoughIamsatisfiedthatanamplefieldmaybefoundwithinthepaleoftheresolution，atleastforsmallgame，yet，asthegentlemanhastraveledoutofit，I

feelthatImay，withallduehumility，venturetofollowhim。

ThegentlemanhasdiscoveredthatsomegentlemanatWashingtoncityhasbeenupontheveryeveofdecidingourBankunconstitutional，andthathewouldprobablyhavecompletedhisveryauthenticdecision，hadnotsomeoneoftheBankofficersplacedhishanduponhismouth，andbeggedhimtowithholdit。

ThefactthattheindividualscomposingourSupremeCourthave，inanofficialcapacity，decidedinfavoroftheconstitutionalityoftheBank，would，inmymind，seemasufficientanswertothis。Itisafactknowntoall，thatthemembersoftheSupremeCourt，togetherwiththeGovernor，formaCouncilofRevision，andthatthisCouncilapprovedthisBankcharter。Iask，then，iftheextra—judicialdecisionnotquitebutalmostmadebythegentlemanatWashington，beforewhom，bytheway，thequestionoftheconstitutionalityofourBankneverhas，nornevercancome——istobetakenasparamounttoadecisionofficiallymadebythattribunal，bywhich，andwhichalone，theconstitutionalityoftheBankcaneverbesettled？

But，asidefromthisviewofthesubject，Iwouldask，ifthecommitteewhichthisresolutionproposestoappointaretoexamineintotheConstitutionalityoftheBank？Aretheytobeclothedwithpowertosendforpersonsandpapers，forthisobject？Andaftertheyhavefoundthebanktobeunconstitutional，anddecideditso，howaretheytoenforcetheirdecision？Whatwilltheirdecisionamountto？TheycannotcompeltheBanktoceaseoperations，ortochangethecourseofitsoperations。Whatgood，then，cantheirlaborsresultin？

Certainlynone。

Thegentlemanasks，ifwe，withoutanexamination，shall，bygivingtheStatedepositstotheBank，andbytakingthestockreservedfortheState，legalizeitsformermisconduct。NowIdonotpretendtopossesssufficientlegalknowledgetodecidewhetheralegislativeenactmentproposingto，andacceptingfrom，theBank，certainterms，wouldhavetheeffecttolegalizeorwipeoutitsformererrors，ornot；butIcanassurethegentleman，ifsuchshouldbetheeffect，hehasalreadygotbehindthesettlementofaccounts；foritiswellknowntoall，thattheLegislature，atitslastsession，passedasupplementalBankcharter，whichtheBankhassinceaccepted，andwhich，accordingtohisdoctrine，haslegalizedalltheallegedviolationsofitsoriginalcharterinthedistributionofitsstock。

Inowproceedtotheresolution。Byexaminationitwillbefoundthatthefirstthirty—threelines，beingpreciselyonethirdofthewhole，relateexclusivelytothedistributionofthestockbythecommissionersappointedbytheState。Now，Sir，itisclearthatnoquestioncanariseonthisportionoftheresolution，exceptaquestionbetweencapitalistsinregardtotheownershipofstock。Somegentlemenhavetheirstockintheirhands，whileothers，whohavemoremoneythantheyknowwhattodowith，wantit；andthis，andthisalone，isthequestion，tosettlewhichwearecalledontosquanderthousandsofthepeople’smoney。Whatinterest，letmeask，havethepeopleinthesettlementofthisquestion？WhatdifferenceisittothemwhetherthestockisownedbyJudgeSmithorSamWiggins？IfanygentlemanbeentitledtostockintheBank，whichheiskeptoutofpossessionofbyothers，lethimasserthisrightintheSupremeCourt，andlethimorhisantagonist，whichevermaybefoundinthewrong，paythecostsofsuit。Itisanoldmaxim，andaverysoundone，thathethatdancesshouldalwayspaythefiddler。Now，Sir，inthepresentcase，ifanygentlemen，whosemoneyisaburdentothem，choosetoleadoffadance，Iamdecidedlyopposedtothepeople’smoneybeingusedtopaythefiddler。NoonecandoubtthattheexaminationproposedbythisresolutionmustcosttheStatesometenortwelvethousanddollars；andallthistosettleaquestioninwhichthepeoplehavenointerest，andaboutwhichtheycarenothing。Thesecapitalistsgenerallyactharmoniouslyandinconcert，tofleecethepeople，andnowthattheyhavegotintoaquarrelwiththemselveswearecalledupontoappropriatethepeople’smoneytosettlethequarrel。

Ileavethispartoftheresolutionandproceedtotheremainder。

Itwillbefoundthatnochargeintheremainingpartoftheresolution，iftrue，amountstotheviolationoftheBankcharter，exceptone，whichIwillnoticeinduetime。Itmightseemquitesufficienttosaynomoreuponanyofthesechargesorinsinuationsthanenoughtoshowtheyarenotviolationsofthecharter；yet，astheyareingeniouslyframedandhandled，withaviewtodeceiveandmislead，Iwillnoticeintheirorderallthemostprominentofthem。ThefirstoftheseisinrelationtoaconnectionbetweenourBankandseveralbankinginstitutionsinotherStates。Admittingthisconnectiontoexist，IshouldliketoseethegentlemanfromColes，oranyothergentleman，undertaketoshowthatthereisanyharminit。Whatcantherebeinsuchaconnection，thatthepeopleofIllinoisarewillingtopaytheirmoneytogetapeepinto？ByareferencetothetenthsectionoftheBankcharter，anygentlemancanseethattheframersoftheactcontemplatedtheholdingofstockintheinstitutionsofothercorporations。Why，then，isit，whenneitherlawnorjusticeforbidsit，thatweareaskedtospendourtimeandmoneyininquiringintoitstruth？

Thenextcharge，intheorderoftime，is，thatsomeofficer，director，clerkorservantoftheBank，hasbeenrequiredtotakeanoathofsecrecyinrelationtotheaffairsofsaidBank。Now，Idonotknowwhetherthisbetrueorfa1se——neitherdoIbelieveanyhonestmancares。IknowthattheseventhsectionofthecharterexpresslyguaranteestotheBanktherightofmaking，undercertainrestrictions，suchby—lawsasitmaythinkfit；andIfurtherknowthattherequiringanoathofsecrecywouldnottranscendthoserestrictions。What，then，iftheBankhaschosentoexercisethisright？Whomcanitinjure？Doesnoteverymerchanthavehissecretmark？andwhoiseversillyenoughtocomplainofit？IpresumeiftheBankdoesrequireanysuchoathofsecrecy，itisdonethroughamotiveofdelicacytothoseindividualswhodealwithit。Why，Sir，notmanydayssince，onegentlemanuponthisfloor，who，bytheway，IhavenodoubtisnowreadytojointhishueandcryagainsttheBank，indulgedinaphilippicagainstoneoftheBankofficials，because，ashesaid，hehaddivulgedasecret。

Immediatelyfollowingthislastcharge，thereareseveralinsinuationsintheresolution，whicharetoosillytorequireanysortofnotice，wereitnotforthefactthattheyconcludebysaying，"tothegreatinjuryofthepeopleatlarge。"InanswertothisIwouldsaythatitisstrangeenough，thatthepeoplearesufferingthese"greatinjuries，"andyetarenotsensibleofit！Singularindeedthatthepeopleshouldbewrithingunderoppressionandinjury，andyetnotoneamongthemtobefoundtoraisethevoiceofcomplaint。IftheBankbeinflictinginjuryuponthepeople，whyisitthatnotasinglepetitionispresentedtothisbodyonthesubject？IftheBankreallybeagrievance，whyisitthatnooneoftherealpeopleisfoundtoaskredressofit？Thetruthis，nosuchoppressionexists。Ifitdid，ourpeoplewouldgroanwithmemorialsandpetitions，andwewouldnotbepermittedtorestdayornight，tillwehadputitdown。Thepeopleknowtheirrights，andtheyareneverslowtoassertandmaintainthem，whentheyareinvaded。Letthemcallforaninvestigation，andIshalleverstandreadytorespondtothecall。Buttheyhavemadenosuchcall。Imaketheassertionboldly，andwithoutfearofcontradiction，thatnoman，whodoesnotholdanoffice，ordoesnotaspiretoone，haseverfoundanyfaultoftheBank。Ithasdoubledthepricesoftheproductsoftheirfarms，andfilledtheirpocketswithasoundcirculatingmedium，andtheyareallwellpleasedwithitsoperations。No，Sir，itisthepoliticianwhoisthefirsttosoundthealarm(which，bytheway，isafalseone。)Itishe，who，bytheseunholymeans，isendeavoringtoblowupastormthathemayrideuponanddirect。Itishe，andhealone，thathereproposestospendthousandsofthepeople’spublictreasure，fornootheradvantagetothemthantomakevaluelessintheirpocketstherewardoftheirindustry。

Mr。Chairman，thisworkisexclusivelytheworkofpoliticians；asetofmenwhohaveinterestsasidefromtheinterestsofthepeople，andwho，tosaythemostofthem，are，takenasamass，atleastonelongstepremovedfromhonestmen。Isaythiswiththegreaterfreedom，because，beingapoliticianmyself，nonecanregarditaspersonal。

Again，itischarged，orratherinsinuated，thatofficersoftheBankhaveloanedmoneyatusuriousratesofinterest。Supposethistobetrue，arewetosendacommitteeofthisHousetoinquireintoit？Supposethecommitteeshouldfindittrue，cantheyredresstheinjuredindividuals？Assuredlynot。Ifanyindividualhadbeeninjuredinthisway，istherenotanampleremedytobefoundinthelawsoftheland？DoesthegentlemanfromColesknowthatthereisastatutestandinginfullforcemakingithighlypenalforanindividualtoloanmoneyatahigherrateofinterestthantwelvepercent？Ifhedoesnotheistooignoranttobeplacedattheheadofthecommitteewhichhisresolutionpurposesandifhedoes，hisneglecttomentionitshowshimtobetoouncandidtomerittherespectorconfidenceofanyone。

Butbesidesallthis，iftheBankwerestruckfromexistence，couldnottheownersofthecapitalstillloanitusuriously，aswellasnow？whatevertheBank，oritsofficers，mayhavedone，I

knowthatusurioustransactionsweremuchmorefrequentandenormousbeforethecommencementofitsoperationsthantheyhaveeverbeensince。

Thenextinsinuationis，thattheBankhasrefusedspeciepayments。This，iftrueisaviolationofthecharter。Butthereisnottheleastprobabilityofitstruth；because，ifsuchhadbeenthefact，theindividualtowhompaymentwasrefusedwouldhavehadaninterestinmakingitpublic，bysuingforthedamagestowhichthecharterentitleshim。Yetnosuchthinghasbeendone；andthestrongpresumptionis，thattheinsinuationisfalseandgroundless。

>Fromthistotheendoftheresolution，thereisnothingthatmeritsattention——Ithereforedroptheparticularexaminationofit。

Byageneralviewoftheresolution，itwillbeseenthataprincipalobjectofthecommitteeistoexamineinto，andferretout，amassofcorruptionsupposedtohavebeencommittedbythecommissionerswhoapportionedthestockoftheBank。Ibelieveitisuniversallyunderstoodandacknowledgedthatallmenwilleveractcorrectlyunlesstheyhaveamotivetodootherwise。Ifthisbetrue，wecanonlysupposethatthecommissionersactedcorruptlybyalsosupposingthattheywerebribedtodoso。

Takingthisviewofthesubject，IwouldaskiftheBankislikelytofinditmoredifficulttobribethecommitteeofseven，which，weareabouttoappoint，thanitmayhavefoundittobribethecommissioners？

(HereMr。Lindercalledtoorder。TheChairdecidedthatMr。

Lincolnwasnotoutoforder。Mr。LinderappealedtotheHouse，but，beforethequestionwasput，withdrewhisappeal，sayinghepreferredtoletthegentlemangoon；hethoughthewouldbreakhisownneck。Mr。Lincolnproceeded：)

Anothergraciouscondescension！Iacknowledgeitwithgratitude。

IknowIwasnotoutoforder；andIknoweverysensiblemanintheHouseknowsit。IwasnotsayingthatthegentlemanfromColescouldbebribed，nor，ontheotherhand，willIsayhecouldnot。InthatparticularIleavehimwhereIfoundhim。I

wasonlyendeavoringtoshowthattherewasatleastasgreataprobabilityofanysevenmembersthatcouldbeselectedfromthisHousebeingbribedtoactcorruptly，astherewasthatthetwenty—fourcommissionershadbeensobribed。ByareferencetotheninthsectionoftheBankcharter，itwillbeseenthatthosecommissionerswereJohnTilson，RobertK。McLaughlin，DanielWarm，A。G。S。Wight，JohnC。Riley，W。H。Davidson，EdwardM。Wilson，EdwardL。Pierson，RobertR。Green，EzraBaker，AquillaWren，JohnTaylor，SamuelC。Christy，EdmundRoberts，BenjaminGodfrey，ThomasMather，A。M。Jenkins，W。Linn，W。

S。Gilman，CharlesPrentice，RichardI。Hamilton，A。H。

Buckner，W。F。Thornton，andEdmundD。Taylor。

Thesearetwenty—fourofthemostrespectablemenintheState。

Probablynotwenty—fourmencouldbeselectedintheStatewithwhomthepeoplearebetteracquainted，orinwhosehonorandintegritytheywouldmorereadilyplaceconfidence。AndInowrepeat，thatthereislessprobabilitythatthosemenhavebeenbribedandcorrupted，thanthatanysevenmen，orratheranysixmen，thatcouldbeselectedfromthemembersofthisHouse，mightbesobribedandcorrupted，eventhoughtheywereheadedandledonby"decidedsuperiority"himself。

Inallseriousness，Iaskeveryreasonableman，ifanissuebejoinedbythesetwenty—fourcommissioners，ontheonepart，andanyothersevenmen，ontheotherpart，andthewholedependuponthehonorandintegrityofthecontendingparties，towhichpartywouldthegreatestdegreeofcreditbedue？Again：Anotherconsiderationis，thatwehavenorighttomaketheexamination。

WhatIshallsayuponthisheadIdesignexclusivelyforthelaw—

lovingandlaw—abidingpartoftheHouse。TothosewhoclaimomnipotencefortheLegislature，andwhointheplenitudeoftheirassumedpowersaredisposedtodisregardtheConstitution，law，goodfaith，moralright，andeverythingelse，Ihavenotawordtosay。Buttothelaw—abidingpartIsay，examinetheBankcharter，goexaminetheConstitution，goexaminetheactsthattheGeneralAssemblyofthisStatehaspassed，andyouwillfindjustasmuchauthoritygivenineachandeveryofthemtocompeltheBanktobringitscofferstothishallandtopourtheircontentsuponthisfloor，astocompelittosubmittothisexaminationwhichthisresolutionproposes。Why，Sir，thegentlemanfromCo1es，themoverofthisresolution，verylatelydeniedonthisfloorthattheLegislaturehadanyrighttorepealorotherwisemeddlewithitsownacts，whenthoseactsweremadeinthenatureofcontracts，andhadbeenacceptedandactedonbyotherparties。NowIaskifthisresolutiondoesnotpropose，forthisHousealone，todowhathe，buttheotherday，deniedtherightofthewholeLegislaturetodo？Hemusteitherabandonthepositionhethentook，orhemustnowvoteagainsthisownresolution。Itisnodifferencetome，andIpresumebutlittletoanyoneelse，whichhedoes。

IambynomeansthespecialadvocateoftheBank。IhavelongthoughtthatitwouldbewellforittoreportitsconditiontotheGeneralAssembly，andthatcasesmightoccur，whenitmightbepropertomakeanexaminationofitsaffairsbyacommittee。

Accordingly，duringthelastsession，whileabillsupplementaltotheBankcharterwaspendingbeforetheHouse，Iofferedanamendmenttothesame，inthesewords："Thesaidcorporationshall，atthenextsessionoftheGeneralAssembly，andateachsubsequentGeneralSession，duringtheexistenceofitscharter，reporttothesametheamountofdebtsduefromsaidcorporation；

theamountofdebtsduetothesame；theamountofspecieinitsvaults，andanaccountofalllandsthenownedbythesame，andtheamountforwhichsuchlandshavebeentaken；andmoreover，ifsaidcorporationshallatanytimeneglectorrefusetosubmititsbooks，papers，andallandeverythingnecessaryforafullandfairexaminationofitsaffairs，toanypersonorpersonsappointedbytheGeneralAssembly，forthepurposeofmakingsuchexamination，thesaidcorporationshallforfeititscharter。"

Thisamendmentwasnegativedbyavoteof34to15。Elevenofthe34whovotedagainstitarenowmembersofthisHouse；andthoughitwouldbeoutofordertocalltheirnames，Ihopetheywillallrecollectthemselves，andnotvoteforthisexaminationtobemadewithoutauthority，inasmuchastheyrefusedtoreceivetheauthoritywhenitwasintheirpowertodoso。

Ihavesaidthatcasesmightoccur，whenanexaminationmightbeproper；butIdonotbelieveanysuchcasehasnowoccurred；andifithas，Ishouldstillbeopposedtomakinganexaminationwithoutlegalauthority。Iamopposedtoencouragingthatlawlessandmobocraticspirit，whetherinrelationtotheBankoranythingelse，whichisalreadyabroadinthelandandisspreadingwithrapidandfearfulimpetuosity，totheultimateoverthrowofeveryinstitution，ofeverymoralprinciple，inwhichpersonsandpropertyhavehithertofoundsecurity。

Butsupposingwehadtheauthority，Iwouldaskwhatgoodcanresultfromtheexamination？CanwedeclaretheBankunconstitutional，andcompelittodesistfromtheabusesofitspower，providedwefindsuchabusestoexist？Canwerepairtheinjurieswhichitmayhavedonetoindividuals？Mostcertainlywecandononeofthesethings。Whythenshallwespendthepublicmoneyinsuchemployment？Oh，saytheexaminers，wecaninjurethecreditoftheBank，ifnothingelse，Pleasetellme，gentlemen，whowillsuffermostbythat？Youcannotinjure，toanyextent，thestockholders。Theyaremenofwealth——oflargecapital；andconsequently，beyondthepowerofmalice。ButbyinjuringthecreditoftheBank，youwilldepreciatethevalueofitspaperinthehandsofthehonestandunsuspectingfarmerandmechanic，andthatisallyoucando。

Butsupposeyoucouldeffectyourwholepurpose；supposeyoucouldwipetheBankfromexistence，whichisthegrandultimatumoftheproject，whatwouldbetheconsequence？why，Sir，weshouldspendseveralthousanddollarsofthepublictreasureintheoperation，annihilatethecurrencyoftheState，rendervaluelessinthehandsofourpeoplethatrewardoftheirformerlabors，andfinallybeoncemoreunderthecomfortableobligationofpayingtheWigginsloan，principalandinterest。

OPPOSITIONTOMOB—RULE

ADDRESSBEFORETHEYOUNGMEN’SLYCEUMOFSPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS。

January27，1837。

Asasubjectfortheremarksoftheevening，"ThePerpetuationofourPoliticalInstitutions"isselected。

Inthegreatjournalofthingshappeningunderthesun，we，theAmericanpeople，findouraccountrunningunderdateofthenineteenthcenturyoftheChristianera。Wefindourselvesinthepeacefulpossessionofthefairestportionoftheearthasregardsextentofterritory，fertilityofsoil，andsalubrityofclimate。Wefindourselvesunderthegovernmentofasystemofpoliticalinstitutionsconducingmoreessentiallytotheendsofcivilandreligiouslibertythananyofwhichthehistoryofformertimestellsus。We，whenmountingthestageofexistence，foundourselvesthelegalinheritorsofthesefundamentalblessings。Wetoilednotintheacquirementorestablishmentofthem；theyarealegacybequeathedusbyaoncehardy，brave，andpatriotic，butnowlamentedanddeparted，raceofancestors。

Theirswasthetask(andnoblytheyperformedit)topossessthemselves，andthroughthemselvesus，ofthisgoodlyland，andtouprearuponitshillsanditsvalleysapoliticaledificeoflibertyandequalrights；itisoursonlytotransmitthese——theformerunprofanedbythefootofaninvader，thelatterundecayedbythelapseoftimeanduntornbyusurpation——tothelatestgenerationthatfateshallpermittheworldtoknow。Thistaskgratitudetoourfathers，justicetoourselves，dutytoposterity，andloveforourspeciesingeneral，allimperativelyrequireusfaithfullytoperform。

Howthenshallweperformit？Atwhatpointshallweexpecttheapproachofdanger？Bywhatmeansshallwefortifyagainstit？

Shallweexpectsometransatlanticmilitarygianttosteptheoceanandcrushusatablow？Never！AllthearmiesofEurope，Asia，andAfricacombined，withallthetreasureoftheearth(ourownexcepted)intheirmilitarychest，withaBonaparteforacommander，couldnotbyforcetakeadrinkfromtheOhioormakeatrackontheBlueRidgeinatrialofathousandyears。

Atwhatpointthenistheapproachofdangertobeexpected？I

answer：Ifiteverreachusitmustspringupamongstus；itcannotcomefromabroad。Ifdestructionbeourlotwemustourselvesbeitsauthorandfinisher。Asanationoffreemenwemustlivethroughalltime，ordiebysuicide。

IhopeIamover—wary；butifIamnot，thereisevennowsomethingofillomenamongstus。Imeantheincreasingdisregardforlawwhichpervadesthecountry——thegrowingdispositiontosubstitutethewildandfuriouspassionsinlieuofthesoberjudgmentofcourts，andtheworsethansavagemobsfortheexecutiveministersofjustice。Thisdispositionisawfullyfearfulinanycommunity；andthatitnowexistsinours，thoughgratingtoourfeelingstoadmit，itwouldbeaviolationoftruthandaninsulttoourintelligencetodeny。Accountsofoutragescommittedbymobsformtheeverydaynewsofthetimes。

TheyhavepervadedthecountryfromNewEnglandtoLouisiana；

theyareneitherpeculiartotheeternalsnowsoftheformernortheburningsunsofthelatter；theyarenotthecreatureofclimate，neitheraretheyconfinedtotheslaveholdingorthenon—slaveholdingStates。Aliketheyspringupamongthepleasure—huntingmastersofSouthernslaves，andtheorder—lovingcitizensofthelandofsteadyhabits。Whateverthentheircausemaybe，itiscommontothewholecountry。

Itwouldbetediousaswellasuselesstorecountthehorrorsofallofthem。ThosehappeningintheStateofMississippiandatSt。Louisareperhapsthemostdangerousinexampleandrevoltingtohumanity。IntheMississippicasetheyfirstcommencedbyhangingtheregulargamblers——asetofmencertainlynotfollowingforalivelihoodaveryusefulorveryhonestoccupation，butonewhich，sofarfrombeingforbiddenbythelaws，wasactuallylicensedbyanactoftheLegislaturepassedbutasingleyearbefore。Next，negroessuspectedofconspiringtoraiseaninsurrectionwerecaughtupandhangedinallpartsoftheState；then，whitemensupposedtobeleaguedwiththenegroes；andfinally，strangersfromneighboringStates，goingthitheronbusiness，wereinmanyinstancessubjectedtothesamefate。Thuswentonthisprocessofhanging，fromgamblerstonegroes，fromnegroestowhitecitizens，andfromthesetostrangers，tilldeadmenwereseenliterallydanglingfromtheboughsoftreesuponeveryroadside，andinnumbersalmostsufficienttorivalthenativeSpanishmossofthecountryasadraperyoftheforest。

Turnthentothathorror—strikingsceneatSt。Louis。Asinglevictimonlywassacrificedthere。Thisstoryisveryshort，andisperhapsthemosthighlytragicofanythingofitslengththathaseverbeenwitnessedinreallife。AmulattomanbythenameofMcIntoshwasseizedinthestreet，draggedtothesuburbsofthecity，chainedtoatree，andactuallyburnedtodeath；andallwithinasinglehourfromthetimehehadbeenafreemanattendingtohisownbusinessandatpeacewiththeworld。

Sucharetheeffectsofmoblaw，andsucharethescenesbecomingmoreandmorefrequentinthislandsolatelyfamedforloveoflawandorder，andthestoriesofwhichhaveevennowgrowntoofamiliartoattractanythingmorethananidleremark。

Butyouareperhapsreadytoask，"Whathasthistodowiththeperpetuationofourpoliticalinstitutions？"Ianswer，Ithasmuchtodowithit。Itsdirectconsequencesare，comparativelyspeaking，butasmallevil，andmuchofitsdangerconsistsinthepronenessofourmindstoregarditsdirectasitsonlyconsequences。Abstractlyconsidered，thehangingofthegamblersatVicksburgwasofbutlittleconsequence。Theyconstituteaportionofpopulationthatisworsethanuselessinanycommunity；andtheirdeath，ifnoperniciousexamplebesetbyit，isnevermatterofreasonableregretwithanyone。Iftheywereannuallysweptfromthestageofexistencebytheplagueorsmallpox，honestmenwouldperhapsbemuchprofitedbytheoperation。SimilartooisthecorrectreasoninginregardtotheburningofthenegroatSt。Louis。Hehadforfeitedhislifebytheperpetrationofanoutrageousmurderupononeofthemostworthyandrespectablecitizensofthecity，andhadhenotdiedashedid，hemusthavediedbythesentenceofthelawinaveryshorttimeafterwards。Astohimalone，itwasaswellthewayitwasasitcouldotherwisehavebeen。Buttheexampleineithercasewasfearful。Whenmentakeitintheirheadsto—daytohanggamblersorburnmurderers，theyshouldrecollectthatintheconfusionusuallyattendingsuchtransactionstheywillbeaslikelytohangorburnsomeonewhoisneitheragamblernoramurdererasonewhois，andthat，actingupontheexampletheyset，themobofto—morrowmay，andprobablywill，hangorburnsomeofthembytheverysamemistake。Andnotonlyso：theinnocent，thosewhohaveeversettheirfacesagainstviolationsoflawineveryshape，alikewiththeguiltyfallvictimstotheravagesofmoblaw；andthusitgoeson，stepbystep，tillallthewallserectedforthedefenseofthepersonsandpropertyofindividualsaretroddendownanddisregarded。Butallthis，even，isnotthefullextentoftheevil。Bysuchexamples，byinstancesoftheperpetratorsofsuchactsgoingunpunished，thelawlessinspiritareencouragedtobecomelawlessinpractice；

andhavingbeenusedtonorestraintbutdreadofpunishment，theythusbecomeabsolutelyunrestrained。Havingeverregardedgovernmentastheirdeadliestbane，theymakeajubileeofthesuspensionofitsoperations，andprayfornothingsomuchasitstotalannihilation。While，ontheotherhand，goodmen，menwholovetranquillity，whodesiretoabidebythelawsandenjoytheirbenefits，whowouldgladlyspilltheirbloodinthedefenseoftheircountry，seeingtheirpropertydestroyed，theirfamiliesinsulted，andtheirlivesendangered，theirpersonsinjured，andseeingnothinginprospectthatforebodesachangeforthebetter，becometiredofanddisgustedwithagovernmentthatoffersthemnoprotection，andarenotmuchaversetoachangeinwhichtheyimaginetheyhavenothingtolose。Thus，then，bytheoperationofthismobocraticspiritwhichallmustadmitisnowabroadintheland，thestrongestbulwarkofanygovernment，andparticularlyofthoseconstitutedlikeours，mayeffectuallybebrokendownanddestroyed——Imeantheattachmentofthepeople。

Wheneverthiseffectshallbeproducedamongus；whenevertheviciousportionofpopulationshallbepermittedtogatherinbandsofhundredsandthousands，andburnchurches，ravageandrobprovision—stores，throwprintingpressesintorivers，shooteditors，andhangandburnobnoxiouspersonsatpleasureandwithimpunity，dependonit，thisgovernmentcannotlast。Bysuchthingsthefeelingsofthebestcitizenswillbecomemoreorlessalienatedfromit，andthusitwillbeleftwithoutfriends，orwithtoofew，andthosefewtooweaktomaketheirfriendshipeffectual。Atsuchatime，andundersuchcircumstances，menofsufficienttalentandambitionwillnotbewantingtoseizetheopportunity，striketheblow，andoverturnthatfairfabricwhichforthelasthalfcenturyhasbeenthefondesthopeoftheloversoffreedomthroughouttheworld。

IknowtheAmericanpeoplearemuchattachedtotheirgovernment；

Iknowtheywouldsuffermuchforitssake；Iknowtheywouldendureevilslongandpatientlybeforetheywouldeverthinkofexchangingitforanother，——yet，notwithstandingallthis，ifthelawsbecontinuallydespisedanddisregarded，iftheirrightstobesecureintheirpersonsandpropertyareheldbynobettertenurethanthecapriceofamob，thealienationoftheiraffectionsfromthegovernmentisthenaturalconsequence；andtothat，soonerorlater，itmustcome。

Here，then，isonepointatwhichdangermaybeexpected。

Thequestionrecurs，Howshallwefortifyagainstit？Theanswerissimple。LeteveryAmerican，everyloverofliberty，everywell—wishertohisposterityswearbythebloodoftheRevolutionnevertoviolateintheleastparticularthelawsofthecountry，andnevertotoleratetheirviolationbyothers。Asthepatriotsofseventy—sixdidtothesupportoftheDeclarationofIndependence，sotothesupportoftheConstitutionandlawsleteveryAmericanpledgehislife，hisproperty，andhissacredhonor。Leteverymanrememberthattoviolatethelawistotrampleonthebloodofhisfather，andtotearthecharterofhisownandhischildren’sliberty。LetreverenceforthelawsbebreathedbyeveryAmericanmothertothelispingbabethatprattlesonherlap；letitbetaughtinschools，inseminaries，andincolleges；letitbewritteninprimers，spellingbooks，andinalmanacs；letitbepreachedfromthepulpit，proclaimedinlegislativehalls，andenforcedincourtsofjustice。And，inshort，letitbecomethepoliticalreligionofthenation；andlettheoldandtheyoung，therichandthepoor，thegraveandthegayofallsexesandtonguesandcolorsandconditions，sacrificeunceasinglyuponitsaltars。

Whileeverastateoffeelingsuchasthisshalluniversallyorevenverygenerallyprevailthroughoutthenation，vainwillbeeveryeffort，andfruitlesseveryattempt，tosubvertournationalfreedom。

When，Isopressinglyurgeastrictobservanceofallthelaws，letmenotbeunderstoodassayingtherearenobadlaws，orthatgrievancesmaynotarisefortheredressofwhichnolegalprovisionshavebeenmade。Imeantosaynosuchthing。ButI

domeantosaythatalthoughbadlaws，iftheyexist，shouldberepealedassoonaspossible，still，whiletheycontinueinforce，forthesakeofexampletheyshouldbereligiouslyobserved。Soalsoinunprovidedcases。Ifsucharise，letproperlegalprovisionsbemadeforthemwiththeleastpossibledelay，buttillthenletthem，ifnottoointolerable，bebornewith。

Thereisnogrievancethatisafitobjectofredressbymoblaw。

Inanycasethatmayarise，as，forinstance，thepromulgationofabolitionism，oneoftwopositionsisnecessarilytrue——thatis，thethingisrightwithinitself，andthereforedeservestheprotectionofalllawandallgoodcitizens，oritiswrong，andthereforepropertobeprohibitedbylegalenactments；andinneithercaseistheinterpositionofmoblaweithernecessary，justifiable，orexcusable。

Butitmaybeasked，Whysupposedangertoourpoliticalinstitutions？Havewenotpreservedthemformorethanfiftyyears？Andwhymaywenotforfiftytimesaslong？

Wehopethereisnosufficientreason。Wehopealldangermaybeovercome；buttoconcludethatnodangermayeverarisewoulditselfbeextremelydangerous。Therearenow，andwillhereafterbe，manycauses，dangerousintheirtendency，whichhavenotexistedheretofore，andwhicharenottooinsignificanttomeritattention。Thatourgovernmentshouldhavebeenmaintainedinitsoriginalform，fromitsestablishmentuntilnow，isnotmuchtobewonderedat。Ithadmanypropstosupportitthroughthatperiod，whichnowaredecayedandcrumbledaway。Throughthatperioditwasfeltbyalltobeanundecidedexperiment；nowitisunderstoodtobeasuccessfulone。Then，allthatsoughtcelebrityandfameanddistinctionexpectedtofindtheminthesuccessofthatexperiment。Theirallwasstakeduponit；theirdestinywasinseparablylinkedwithit。Theirambitionaspiredtodisplaybeforeanadmiringworldapracticaldemonstrationofthetruthofapropositionwhichhadhithertobeenconsideredatbestnobetterthanproblematical——namely，thecapabilityofapeopletogovernthemselves。Iftheysucceededtheyweretobeimmortalized；theirnamesweretobetransferredtocounties，andcities，andrivers，andmountains；andtobereveredandsung，toastedthroughalltime。Iftheyfailed，theyweretobecalledknaves)andfools，andfanaticsforafleetinghour；thentosinkandbeforgotten。Theysucceeded。Theexperimentissuccessful，andthousandshavewontheirdeathlessnamesinmakingitso。

Butthegameiscaught；andIbelieveitistruethatwiththecatchingendthepleasuresofthechase。Thisfieldofgloryisharvested，andthecropisalreadyappropriated。Butnewreaperswillarise，andtheytoowillseekafield。Itistodenywhatthehistoryoftheworldtellsusistrue，tosupposethatmenofambitionandtalentswillnotcontinuetospringupamongstus。

Andwhentheydo，theywillasnaturallyseekthegratificationoftheirrulingpassionasothershavedonebeforethem。Thequestionthenis，Canthatgratificationbefoundinsupportingandinmaintaininganedificethathasbeenerectedbyothers？

Mostcertainlyitcannot。Manygreatandgoodmen，sufficientlyqualifiedforanytasktheyshouldundertake，mayeverbefoundwhoseambitionwouldaspiretonothingbeyondaseatinCongress，aGubernatorialoraPresidentialchair；butsuchbelongnottothefamilyofthelion，orthetribeoftheeagle。What！thinkyoutheseplaceswouldsatisfyanAlexander，aCaesar，oraNapoleon？Never！Toweringgeniusdisdainsabeatenpath。Itseeksregionshithertounexplored。Itseesnodistinctioninaddingstorytostoryuponthemonumentsoffameerectedtothememoryofothers。Itdeniesthatitisgloryenoughtoserveunderanychief。Itscornstotreadinthefootstepsofanypredecessor，howeverillustrious。Itthirstsandburnsfordistinction；andifpossible，itwillhaveit，whetherattheexpenseofemancipatingslavesorenslavingfreemen。Isitunreasonable，then，toexpectthatsomemanpossessedoftheloftiestgenius，coupledwithambitionsufficienttopushittoitsutmoststretch，willatsometimespringupamongus？Andwhensuchanonedoesitwillrequirethepeopletobeunitedwitheachother，attachedtothegovernmentandlaws，andgenerallyintelligent，tosuccessfullyfrustratehisdesigns。

Distinctionwillbehisparamountobject，andalthoughhewouldaswillingly，perhapsmoreso，acquireitbydoinggoodasharm，yet，thatopportunitybeingpast，andnothinglefttobedoneinthewayofbuildingup，hewouldsetboldlytothetaskofpullingdown。

Herethenisaprobablecase，highlydangerous，andsuchanoneascouldnothavewellexistedheretofore。

Anotherreasonwhichoncewas，butwhich，tothesameextent，isnownomore，hasdonemuchinmaintainingourinstitutionsthusfar。ImeanthepowerfulinfluencewhichtheinterestingscenesoftheRevolutionhaduponthepassionsofthepeopleasdistinguishedfromtheirjudgment。Bythisinfluence，thejealousy，envy，andavariceincidenttoournature，andsocommontoastateofpeace，prosperity，andconsciousstrength，wereforthetimeinagreatmeasuresmotheredandrenderedinactive，whilethedeep—rootedprinciplesofhate，andthepowerfulmotiveofrevenge，insteadofbeingturnedagainsteachother，weredirectedexclusivelyagainsttheBritishnation。Andthus，fromtheforceofcircumstances，thebasestprinciplesofournaturewereeithermadetoliedormant，ortobecometheactiveagentsintheadvancementofthenoblestofcauses——thatofestablishingandmaintainingcivilandreligiousliberty。

Butthisstateoffeelingmustfade，isfading，hasfaded，withthecircumstancesthatproducedit。

IdonotmeantosaythatthescenesoftheRevolutionarenoworeverwillbeentirelyforgotten，butthat，likeeverythingelse，theymustfadeuponthememoryoftheworld，andgrowmoreandmoredimbythelapseoftime。Inhistory，wehope，theywillbereadof，andrecounted，solongastheBibleshallberead；butevengrantingthattheywill，theirinfluencecannotbewhatitheretoforehasbeen。Eventhentheycannotbesouniversallyknownnorsovividlyfeltastheywerebythegenerationjustgonetorest。Atthecloseofthatstruggle，nearlyeveryadultmalehadbeenaparticipatorinsomeofitsscenes。Theconsequencewasthatofthosescenes，intheformofahusband，afather，ason，orabrother，alivinghistorywastobefoundineveryfamily——ahistorybearingtheindubitabletestimoniesofitsownauthenticity，inthelimbsmangled，inthescarsofwoundsreceived，inthemidstoftheveryscenesrelated——ahistory，too，thatcouldbereadandunderstoodalikebyall，thewiseandtheignorant，thelearnedandtheunlearned。Butthosehistoriesaregone。Theycanbereadnomoreforever。Theywereafortressofstrength；butwhatinvadingfoemancouldneverdothesilentartilleryoftimehasdone——thelevelingofitswalls。

Theyaregone。Theywereaforestofgiantoaks；buttheall—

restlesshurricanehassweptoverthem，andleftonlyhereandtherealonelytrunk，despoiledofitsverdure，shornofitsfoliage，unshadingandunshaded，tomurmurinafewmoregentlebreezes，andtocombatwithitsmutilatedlimbsafewmoreruderstorms，thentosinkandbenomore。

Theywerepillarsofthetempleofliberty；andnowthattheyhavecrumbledawaythattemplemustfallunlesswe，theirdescendants，supplytheirplaceswithotherpillars，hewnfromthesolidquarryofsoberreason。Passionhashelpedus，butcandosonomore。Itwillinfuturebeourenemy。Reasoncold，calculating，unimpassionedreason——mustfurnishallthematerialsforourfuturesupportanddefense。Letthosematerialsbemouldedintogeneralintelligence，soundmorality，andinparticular，areverencefortheConstitutionandlaws；andthatweimprovedtothelast，thatweremainedfreetothelast，thatwereveredhisnametothelast，thatduringhislongsleepwepermittednohostilefoottopassoverordesecratehisrestingplace，shallbethatwhichtolearnthelasttrumpshallawakenourWashington。

Upontheselettheproudfabricoffreedomrest，astherockofitsbasis；andastrulyashasbeensaidoftheonlygreaterinstitution，"thegatesofhellshallnotprevailagainstit。"

PROTESTINTHEILLINOISLEGISLATUREONTHE

SUBJECTOFSLAVERY。

March3，1837。

ThefollowingprotestwaspresentedtotheHouse，whichwasreadandorderedtobespreadinthejournals，towit：

"ResolutionsuponthesubjectofdomesticslaveryhavingpassedbothbranchesoftheGeneralAssemblyatitspresentsession，theundersignedherebyprotestagainstthepassageofthesame。

"Theybelievethattheinstitutionofslaveryisfoundedonbothinjusticeandbadpolicy，butthatthepromulgationofabolitiondoctrinestendsrathertoincreasethanabateitsevils。

"TheybelievethattheCongressoftheUnitedStateshasnopowerundertheConstitutiontointerferewiththeinstitutionofslaveryinthedifferentStates。

"TheybelievethattheCongressoftheUnitedStateshasthepower，undertheConstitution，toabolishslaveryintheDistrictofColumbia，butthatthepoweroughtnottobeexercised，unlessattherequestofthepeopleoftheDistrict。

"Thedifferencebetweentheseopinionsandthosecontainedinthesaidresolutionsistheirreasonforenteringthisprotest。

"DANSTONE，"A。LINCOLN，"RepresentativesfromtheCountyofSangamon。"

TOMISSMARYOWENS。

SPRINGFIELD，May7，1837。

MISSMARYS。OWENS。

FRIENDMARY：——Ihavecommencedtwoletterstosendyoubeforethis，bothofwhichdispleasedmebeforeIgothalfdone，andsoItorethemup。ThefirstIthoughtwasnotseriousenough，andthesecondwasontheotherextreme。Ishallsendthis，turnoutasitmay。

ThisthingoflivinginSpringfieldisratheradullbusiness，afterall；atleastitissotome。IamquiteaslonesomehereasIeverwasanywhereinmylife。IhavebeenspokentobybutonewomansinceIhavebeenhere，andshouldnothavebeenbyherifshecouldhaveavoidedit。I’veneverbeentochurchyet，andprobablyshallnotbesoon。IstayawaybecauseIamconsciousIshouldnotknowhowtobehavemyself。

IamoftenthinkingofwhatwesaidaboutyourcomingtoliveatSpringfield。Iamafraidyouwouldnotbesatisfied。Thereisagreatdealofflourishingaboutincarriageshere，whichitwouldbeyourdoomtoseewithoutsharingit。Youwouldhavetobepoor，withoutthemeansofhidingyourpoverty。Doyoubelieveyoucouldbearthatpatiently？Whateverwomanmaycastherlotwithmine，shouldanyeverdoso，itismyintentiontodoallinmypowertomakeherhappyandcontented；andthereisnothingI

canimaginethatwouldmakememoreunhappythantofailintheeffort。IknowIshouldbemuchhappierwithyouthanthewayI

am，providedIsawnosignsofdiscontentinyou。Whatyouhavesaidtomemayhavebeeninthewayofjest，orImayhavemisunderstoodyou。Ifso，thenletitbeforgotten；ifotherwise，Imuchwishyouwouldthinkseriouslybeforeyoudecide。WhatIhavesaidIwillmostpositivelyabideby，providedyouwishit。Myopinionisthatyouhadbetternotdoit。Youhavenotbeenaccustomedtohardship，anditmaybemoreseverethanyounowimagine。Iknowyouarecapableofthinkingcorrectlyonanysubject，andifyoudeliberatematurelyuponthissubjectbeforeyoudecide，thenIamwillingtoabideyourdecision。

Youmustwritemeagoodlongletterafteryougetthis。Youhavenothingelsetodo，andthoughitmightnotseeminterestingtoyouafteryouhadwrittenit，itwouldbeagooddealofcompanytomeinthis"busywilderness。"TellyoursisterIdon’twanttohearanymoreaboutsellingoutandmoving。Thatgivesmethe"hypo"wheneverIthinkofit。Yours，etc。，LINCOLN

TOJOHNBENNETT。

SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，Aug。5，1837。

JOHNBENNETT，ESQ。

DEARSIR：—Mr。Edwardstellsmeyouwishtoknowwhethertheacttowhichyourownincorporationprovisionwasattachedpassedintoalaw。Itdid。Youcanorganizeunderthegeneralincorporationlawassoonasyouchoose。

Ialsotackedaprovisionontoafellow’sbilltoauthorizetherelocationoftheroadfromSalemdowntoyourtown，butIamnotcertainwhetherornotthebillpassed，neitherdoIsupposeI

canascertainbeforethelawwillbepublished，ifitisalaw。

BowlingGreene，BennetteAbe？andyourselfareappointedtomakethechange。Nonews。NoexcitementexceptalittleabouttheelectionofMondaynext。

Isuppose，ofcourse，ourfriendDr。Heneystandsnochanceinyourdiggings。

Yourfriendandhumbleservant，A。LINCOLN。

TOMARYOWENS。

SPRINGFIELD，Aug。16，1837

FRIENDMARY：

YouwillnodoubtthinkitratherstrangethatIshouldwriteyoualetteronthesamedayonwhichweparted，andIcanonlyaccountforitbysupposingthatseeingyoulatelymakesmethinkofyoumorethanusual；whileatourlatemeetingwehadbutfewexpressionsofthoughts。YoumustknowthatIcannotseeyou，orthinkofyou，withentireindifference；andyetitmaybethatyouaremistakeninregardtowhatmyrealfeelingstowardyouare。

IfIknewyouwerenot，Ishouldnothavetroubledyouwiththisletter。Perhapsanyothermanwouldknowenoughwithoutinformation；butIconsideritmypeculiarrighttopleadignorance，andyourboundendutytoallowtheplea。

Iwantinallcasestodoright；andmostparticularlysoinallcaseswithwomen。

Iwant，atthisparticulartime，morethananythingelsetodorightwithyou；andifIknewitwouldbedoingright，asI

rathersuspectitwould，toletyoualoneIwoulddoit。And，forthepurposeofmakingthematterasplainaspossible，Inowsaythatyoucandropthesubject，dismissyourthoughts(ifyoueverhadany)frommeforeverandleavethisletterunansweredwithoutcallingforthoneaccusingmurmurfromme。AndIwillevengofurtherandsaythat，ifitwilladdanythingtoyourcomfortorpeaceofmindtodoso，itismysincerewishthatyoushould。DonotunderstandbythisthatIwishtocutyouracquaintance。Imeannosuchthing。WhatIdowishisthatourfurtheracquaintanceshalldependuponyourself。Ifsuchfurtheracquaintancewouldcontributenothingtoyourhappiness，Iamsureitwouldnottomine。Ifyoufeelyourselfinanydegreeboundtome，Iamnowwillingtoreleaseyou，providedyouwishit；whileontheotherhandIamwillingandevenanxioustobindyoufasterifIcanbeconvincedthatitwill，inanyconsiderabledegree，addtoyourhappiness。This，indeed，isthewholequestionwithme。Nothingwouldmakememoremiserablethantobelieveyoumiserable，nothingmorehappythantoknowyouwereso。