Writings of Abraham Lincoln, the — Volume 5 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 395 pages of information about Writings of Abraham Lincoln, the — Volume 5.

Writings of Abraham Lincoln, the — Volume 5 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 395 pages of information about Writings of Abraham Lincoln, the — Volume 5.

[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 basis—­first, 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 this—­if 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 Brooklyn—­two 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. 

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Writings of Abraham Lincoln, the — Volume 5 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.