GLIMPSES OF LINCOLN’S CHARACTER.
[Illuminated by his own words.]
WOULD WILLINGLY EXCHANGE PLACES WITH THE SOLDIER.
How willingly would I exchange places today with the soldier who sleeps on the ground in the Army of the Potomac!—To Hon Schuyler Colfax, upon receiving bad news from the army.
COMPROMISE.
I do not believe that any compromise embracing the maintenance of the Union, is now possible. All that I learn tends to a directly opposite belief. The strength of the rebellion is its military—its army. In any compromise we should waste time, which the enemy would improve to our disadvantage; and that would be all.—August, 1863
THE NEGRO.
There will be some black men who can remember that, with silent tongue and clenched teeth and steady eye and well-poised bayonet, they have helped mankind on to this great consummation; while, I fear, there will be some white ones unable to forget that, with malignant heart and deceitful speech, they have striven to hinder it.—August, 1863.
WOMAN’S CONDUCT DURING THE WAR
If all that has been said since the creation in praise of women were applied to the women of America, it would not do them justice.—March, ’64.
GOD AND THE PEOPLE.
I cannot but know, what you all know, that without a name, perhaps without a reason why I should have a name, there has fallen upon me such a task as did not rest even upon the Father of his Country; and, so feeling, I cannot but turn and look for that support without which it will be impossible to perform that great task. I turn, then, and look to the great American people, and to that God who has never forsaken them.—February, ’61.
IN DISPENSING PATRONAGE THE DISABLED SOLDIER TO HAVE THE PREFERENCE
Yesterday little indorsements of mine went to you in two cases of postmasterships, sought for widows whose husbands have fallen in the battles of this war. These cases, occurring on the same day, brought me to reflect more attentively than I had before done as to what is fairly due from us here in the dispensing of patronage toward the men who, by fighting our battles, bear the chief burden of saving our country. My conclusion is that, other claims and other qualifications being equal, they have the right; and this is especially applicable to the disabled soldier and the deceased soldier’s family.—Letter to the Postmaster General, July 27, 1863.
“I AM HUMBLE ABRAHAM LINCOLN.”
Gentlemen and fellow-citizens: I presume you all know who I am; I am humble Abraham Lincoln. I have been solicited by my many friends to become a candidate for the legislature. My politics are short and sweet; I am in favor of a national bank, I am in favor of the internal improvement system and a high protective tariff. These are my sentiments and political principles. If elected, I shall be thankful; if not, it will be all the same.—First political speech, delivered at Poppsville, Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1832.
