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Government; nor of dungeons to ourselves。 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。
'As Mr。 Lincoln concluded his address; there was witnessed the
wildest scene of enthusiasm and excitement that has been in New Haven
for years。 The Palladium editorially says: 〃We give up most of our
space to…day to a very full report of the eloquent speech of the HON。
Abraham Lincoln; of Illinois; delivered last night at Union Hall。〃'
RESPONSE TO AN ELECTOR'S REQUEST FOR MONEY
TO ________________
March 16; 1860
As to your kind wishes for myself; allow me to say I cannot enter the
ring on the money basisfirst; because in the main it is wrong; and
secondly; I have not and cannot get the money。
I say; in the main; the use of money is wrong; but for certain
objects in a political contest; the use of some is both right and
indispensable。 With me; as with yourself; the long struggle has been
one of great pecuniary loss。
I now distinctly say thisif you shall be appointed a delegate to
Chicago; I will furnish one hundred dollars to bear the expenses of
the trip。
Your friend as ever;
A。 LINCOLN。
'Extract from a letter to a Kansas delegate。'
TO J。 W。 SOMERS。
SPRINGFIELD; March 17; 1860
JAMES W。 SOMERS; Esq。
DEAR SIR:Reaching home three days ago; I found your letter of
February 26th。 Considering your difficulty of hearing; I think you
had better settle in Chicago; if; as you say; a good man already in
fair practice there will take you into partnership。 If you had not
that difficulty; I still should think it an even balance whether you
would not better remain in Chicago; with such a chance for
copartnership。
If I went west; I think I would go to Kansas; to Leavenworth or
Atchison。 Both of them are and will continue to be fine growing
places。
I believe I have said all I can; and I have said it with the deepest
interest for your welfare。
Yours truly;
A。 LINCOLN。
ACCUSATION OF HAVING BEEN PAID FOR A
POLITICAL SPEECH
TO C。 F。 McNEIL。
SPRINGFIELD; April 6; 1860
C。 F。 MCNEIL; Esq。
DEAR SIR:Reaching home yesterday; I found yours of the 23d March;
inclosing a slip from The Middleport Press。 It is not true that I
ever charged anything for a political speech in my life; but this
much is true: Last October I was requested by letter to deliver some
sort of speech in Mr。 Beecher's church; in Brooklyntwo hundred
dollars being offered in the first letter。 I wrote that I could do
it in February; provided they would take a political speech if I
could find time to get up no other。 They agreed; and subsequently I
informed them the speech would have to be a political one。 When I
reached New York; I for the first time learned that the place was
changed to 〃Cooper Institute。〃 I made the speech; and left for New
Hampshire; where I have a son at school; neither asking for pay nor
having any offered me。 Three days after a check for two hundred
dollars was sent to me at New Hampshire; and I took it; and did not
know it was wrong。 My understanding now isthough I knew nothing of
it at the timethat they did charge for admittance to the Cooper
Institute; and that they took in more than twice two hundred dollars。
I have made this explanation to you as a friend; but I wish no
explanation made to our enemies。 What they want is a squabble and a
fuss; and that they can have if we explain; and they cannot have it
if we don't。
When I returned through New York from New England; I was told by the
gentlemen who sent me the Check that a drunken vagabond in the club;
having learned something about the two hundred dollars; made the
exhibition out of which The Herald manufactured the article quoted by
The Press of your town。
My judgment is; and therefore my request is; that you give no denial
and no explanation。
Thanking you for your kind interest in the matter; I remain;
Yours truly;
A。 LINCOLN。
TO H。 TAYLOR。
SPRINGFIELD; ILL。; April 21; 1860。
HAWKINS TAYLOR; Esq。
DEAR SIR:Yours of the 15th is just received。 It surprises me that
you have written twice; without receiving an answer。 I have answered
all I ever received from you; and certainly one since my return from
the East。
Opinions here; as to the prospect of Douglas being nominated; are
quite conflictingsome very confident he will; and others that he
will not be。 I think his nomination possible; but that the chances
are against him。
I am glad there is a prospect of your party passing this way to
Chicago。 Wishing to make your visit here as pleasant as we can; we
wish you to notify us as soon as possible whether you come this way;
how many; and when you will arrive。
Yours very truly;
A。 LINCOLN
TELEGRAM TO A MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS DELEGATION
AT THE CHICAGO CONVENTION。
SPRINGFIELD; May 17? 1860。
I authorize no bargains and will be bound by none。
A。 LINCOLN。
REPLY TO THE COMMITTEE SENT BY THE CHICAGO CONVENTION TO INFORM
LINCOLN OF HIS
NOMINATION;
MAY 19; 1860。
Mr。 CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE:I tender to you; and
through you to the Republican National Convention; and all the people
represented in it; my profoundest thanks for the high honor done me;
which you now formally announce。 Deeply and even painfully sensible
of the great responsibility which is inseparable from this high
honora responsibility which I could almost wish had fallen upon
some one of the far more eminent men and experienced statesmen whose
distinguished names were before the conventionI shall; by your
leave; consider more fully the resolutions of the convention;
denominated their platform; and without any unnecessary or
unreasonable delay respond to you; Mr。 Chairman; in writingnot
doubting that the platform will be found satisfactory; and the
nomination gratefully accepted。
And now I will not longer defer the pleasure of taking you; and each
of you; by the hand。
ACCEPTANCE OF NOMINATION AS REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE
FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
TO GEORGE ASHMUN AND OTHERS。
SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS; May 23; 1860
HON。 GEORGE ASHMUN;
President of Republican National Convention。
SIR:I accept the nomination tendered me by the convention over
which you presided; and of which I am formally apprised in the letter
of yourself and others; acting as a committee of the convention for
that purpose。
The declaration of principles and sentiments which accompanies your
letter meets my approval; and it shall be my care not to violate or
disregard it in any part。
Imploring the assistance of Divine Providence; and with due regard to
the views and feelings of all who were represented in the convention;
to the rights of all t