Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Abraham Lincoln to George Ashmun, May 23, 1860

Hon. George Ashmun,
President of the Republican National Convention.

Springfield, Ills., May 23, 1860.

Sir: I accept the nomination tendered me by the convention over which you presided, of which I am formally appraised in a 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 it, 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 the states and territories and people of the nation, to the inviolability of the constitution, and the perpetual union, harmony, and prosperity of all; I am most happy to co-operate for the practical success of the principles declared by the convention.

Your obliged friend and fellow-citizen,

A. LINCOLN.

SOURCES: Draft of this letter from The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress;  G. M. Van Buren, Abraham Lincoln's Pen And Voice, p. 14; Roy P. Basler, Editor, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 4, p. 52

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