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Your obedient servant；
A。 LINCOLN
P。S。Please let the ceremonies be only such as to take the least
time possible。 A。 L。
PATRONAGE CLAIMS
TO THURLOW WEED
SPRINGFIELD； ILL。； February 4； 1861
DEAR SIR：I have both your letter to myself and that to Judge Davis；
in relation to a certain gentleman in your State claiming to dispense
patronage in my name； and also to be authorized to use my name to
advance the chances of Mr。 Greeley for an election to the United
States Senate。
It is very strange that such things should be said by any one。 The
gentleman you mention did speak to me of Mr。 Greeley in connection
with the senatorial election； and I replied in terms of kindness
toward Mr。 Greeley； which I really feel； but always with an expressed
protest that my name must not be used in the senatorial election in
favor of or against any one。 Any other representation of me is a
misrepresentation。
As to the matter of dispensing patronage； it perhaps will surprise
you to learn that I have information that you claim to have my
authority to arrange that matter in New York。 I do not believe you
have so claimed； but still so some men say。 On that subject you know
all I have said to you is 〃justice to all；〃 and I have said nothing
more particular to any one。 I say this to reassure you that I have
not changed my position。
In the hope； however； that you will not use my name in the matter； I
am；
Yours truly；
A。 LINCOLN。
FAREWELL ADDRESS AT SPRINGFIELD； ILLINOIS；
FEBRUARY 11； 1861
MY FRIENDS：One who has never been placed in a like position cannot
understand my feelings at this hour； nor the oppressive sadness I
feel at this parting。 For more than twenty…five years I have lived
among you； and during all that time I have received nothing but
kindness at your hands。 Here the most cherished ties of earth were
assumed。 Here my children were born； and here one of them lies
buried。 To you； my friends； I owe all that I have； all that I am。
All the strange checkered past seems to crowd upon my mind。 To…day I
leave you。 I go to assume a task more difficult than that which
devolved upon General Washington。 Unless the great God who assisted
him shall be with and aid me I cannot prevail； but if the same
almighty arm that directed and protected him shall guide and support
me I shall not fail； I shall succeed。 Let us pray that the God of
our fathers may not forsake us now。 To Him I commend you all。
Permit me to ask that with equal sincerity and faith you will all
invoke His wisdom and goodness for me。
With these words I must leave you； for how long I know not。 Friends；
one and all； I must now wish you an affectionate farewell。
REMARKS AT TOLONO； ILLINOIS； FEBRUARY 11； 1861
I am leaving you on an errand of national importance； attended； as
you are aware； with considerable difficulties。 Let us believe； as
some poet has expressed it； 〃Behind the cloud the sun is still
shining。〃 I bid you an affectionate farewell。
REPLY TO ADDRESS OF WELCOME； INDIANAPOLIS；
INDIANA； FEBRUARY 11； 1861
GOVERNOR MORTON AND FELLOW CITIZENS
OF THE STATE OF INDIANA：
Most heartily do I thank you for this magnificent reception； and
while I cannot take to myself any share of the compliment thus paid；
more than that which pertains to a mere instrument； an accidental
instrument； perhaps I should say； of a great cause； I yet must look
upon it as a most magnificent reception； and as such most heartily do
thank you for it。 You have been pleased to address yourself to me
chiefly in behalf of this glorious Union in which we live； in all of
which you have my hearty sympathy； and； as far as may be within my
power； will have； one and inseparable； my hearty consideration。
While I do not expect； upon this occasion； or until I get to
Washington； to attempt any lengthy speech； I will only say to the
salvation of the Union there needs but one single thingthe hearts
of a people like yours。
The peoplewhen they rise in mass in behalf of the Union and the
liberties of their country； truly may it be said； 〃The gates of hell
cannot prevail against them。〃 In all trying positions in which I
shall be
placedand； doubtless； I shall be placed in many suchmy reliance
will be placed upon you and the people of the United States； and I
wish you to remember； now and forever； that it is your business； and
not mine； that if the union of these States and the liberties of this
people shall be lost； it is but little to any one man of fifty…two
years of age； but a great deal to the thirty millions of people who
inhabit these United States； and to their posterity in all coming
time。 It is your business to rise up and preserve the Union and
liberty for yourselves； and not for me。
I desire they should be constitutionally performed。 I； as already
intimated； am but an accidental instrument； temporary； and to serve
but for a limited time； and I appeal to you again to constantly bear
in mind that with you； and not with politicians； not with Presidents；
not with office…seekers； but with you is the question； Shall the
Union and shall the liberties of this country be preserved to the
latest generations？
ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATURE OF INDIANA； AT INDIANAPOLIS；
FEBRUARY 12； 1861
FELLOW…CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA：I am here to thank you much
for this magnificent welcome； and still more for the generous support
given by your State to that political cause which I think is the true
and just cause of the whole country and the whole world。
Solomon says there is 〃a time to keep silence；〃 and when men wrangle
by the mouth with no certainty that they mean the same thing while
using the same word； it perhaps were as well if they would keep
silence。
The words 〃coercion〃 and 〃invasion〃 are much used in these days； and
often with some temper and hot blood。 Let us make sure； if we can；
the meaning of those who use them。 Let us get the exact definitions
of these words； not from dictionaries； but from the men themselves；
who certainly deprecate the things they would represent by the use of
the words。
What； then； is coercion？ What is invasion？ Would the marching of an
army into South Carolina； without the consent of her people； and with
hostile intent toward them； be invasion？ I certainly think it would；
and it would be coercion also； if the South Carolinians were forced
to submit。 But if the United States should merely hold and retake
its own forts and other property； and collect the duties on foreign
importations； or even withhold the mails from places where they were
habitually violated； would any or all of these things be invasion or
coercion？ Do our professed lovers of the Union； who spitefully
resolve that they will resist coercion and invasion； understand that
such things as these； on the part of the Unit