Lincoln Letters - July 28, 1859

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July 28, 1859
Springfield, Ills. July 28. 1859
Hon. Samuel Galloway
My dear Sir:


Your very complimentary, not to say flattering letter of the 23rd. Inst. is received. Dr. Reynolds had induced me to expect you here; and I was disappointed, not a little, by your failure to come. And yet I fear you have formed an estimate of me which can scarcely be sustained on a personal acquaintance.

Two things done by the Ohio Republican convention---the repudiation of Judge Swan, and the "plank" for a repeal of the Fugitive Slave law---I very much regretted. These two things are of a piece; and they are viewed by many good men, sincerely opposed to slavery, as a struggle against, and in disregard of, the constitution itself. And it is the very thing that will greatly endanger our cause, if it be not be [sic] kept out of our national convention. There is another thing our friends are doing which gives me some uneasiness. It is their leaning towards "popular sovereignty."

This letter, dated July 28, 1859, written to former congressman Samuel Galloway of Columbus,Ohio is deemed an American treasure by Lincoln scholars. The letter contains Lincoln's thoughts on slavery, Senator Douglasand Governor Chase. He also states "I must say I do not think myself fit for the Presidency". It is included in our Lincoln Wiki collection due to the provenance of the document. This letter for generations had resided with the Yeatman Anderson family of Cincinnati. Yeatman Anderson III, a descendant of Cincinnati pioneer Griffin Yeatman, began his career at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County in 1950 and in 1954 was the founder and first Curator of the Rare Books and Special Collections Department. He was a tireless Library promoter and collection builder with his largest acquisition being the Captain Frederick Way Collection from the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Riverman. Over 19,000 steamboat pictures from this collection are featured in our Inland Rivers Wiki.Mr. Anderson served until his retirement in 1986 and earned the respect of others as a true "bookman". The letter passed out of the family's hands after his death in 1995. The images have been furnished by "The Papers of Abraham Lincoln"of Springfield,Illinois. The originals were not able to be scanned but lower resolution photographs have been used.

July 28, 1859
There are three substantial objections to this. First, no party can command respect which sustains this year, what it opposed last. Secondly, Douglas, (who is the most dangerous enemy of liberty, because the most insidious one) would have little support in the North, and by consequence, no capital to trade on in the South, if it were not for our friends thus magnifying him and his humbug. But lastly, and chiefly, Douglas' popular sovereignty, accepted by the public mind, as a just principle, nationalizes slavery, and revives the African Slave-trade, inevitably. Taking slaves into new territories, and buying slaves in Africa, are identical things---identical rights or identical wrongs---and the argument which establishes one will establish the other. Try a thousand years for a sound reason why congress shall not hinder the people of Kansas from having slaves, and when you have found it, it will be an equally good one why congress should not hinder the people of Georgia from importing slaves from Africa.

As to Gov. Chase, I have a kind side for him. He was one of the few distinguished men of the nation who gave us, in Illinois, their sympathy last year. I

July 28, 1859 never saw him, suppose him to be able, and right-minded; but still he may not be the most suitable as a candidate for the Presidency.

I must say I do not think myself fit for the Presidency. As you propose a correspondence with me, I shall look for your letters anxiously.

I have not met Dr. Reynolds since receiving your letter; but when I shall, I will present your respects, as requested.

Yours very truly

A. Lincoln