There is much he cannot do, and some he can.  I have reason to hope there will be other help of an appropriate kind.  Write me again.

Yours as ever,

A. Lincoln.

TO B. C. COOK.

Springfield, Aug. 2, 1858.

Hon. B. C. Cook.

My dear sir:—­I have a letter from a very true and intelligent man insisting that there is a plan on foot in La Salle and Bureau to run Douglas Republicans for Congress and for the Legislature in those counties, if they can only get the encouragement of our folks nominating pretty extreme abolitionists.

It is thought they will do nothing if our folks nominate men who are not very obnoxious to the charge of abolitionism.  Please have your eye upon this.  Signs are looking pretty fair.

Yours very truly,

A. Lincoln.

TO HON.  J. M. PALMER.

Springfield, Aug. 5, 1858.

Hon.  J. M. Palmer.

Dear sir:—­Since we parted last evening no new thought has occurred to [me] on the subject of which we talked most yesterday.

I have concluded, however, to speak at your town on Tuesday, August 31st, and have promised to have it so appear in the papers of to-morrow.  Judge Trumbull has not yet reached here.

Yours as ever,

A. Lincoln.

TO ALEXANDER SYMPSON.

Springfield, Aug. 11, 1858.

Alexander Sympson, Esq.

Dear sir:—­Yours of the 6th received.  If life and health continue I shall pretty likely be at Augusta on the 25th.

Things look reasonably well.  Will tell you more fully when I see you.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.

TO J. O. CUNNINGHAM.

Ottawa, August 22, 1858.

J. O. Cunningham, Esq.

My dear sir:—­Yours of the 18th, signed as secretary of the Republican club, is received.  In the matter of making speeches I am a good deal pressed by invitations from almost all quarters, and while I hope to be at Urbana some time during the canvass, I cannot yet say when.  Can you not see me at Monticello on the 6th of September?

Douglas and I, for the first time this canvass, crossed swords here yesterday; the fire flew some, and I am glad to know I am yet alive.  There was a vast concourse of people—­more than could get near enough to hear.

Yours as ever,

A. Lincoln.

ON SLAVERY IN A DEMOCRACY.

August ??, 1858

As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master.  This expresses my idea of democracy.  Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.