The morning call., 1895-02-10

the strangest COM ination of church influence
against me. Baker is a Campbellite, ana, there
fore, as suppose, with few exceptions got all
that church. My wife has some relations IN the
presbyterian churches, and some with the
Episcopal churches; and, therefore, wherever
it would tell was set down as either the one
or the other, while it was everywhere con-
tended that no Christian ought to go for me,
because belonged to no church, was suspected
OF being deist and had talked about fighting
a duel With all these things Baker, of course,
had nothing to do Nor do | complain OF
them. AS to his own church going for him,
think that was right enough; and as to the In
fuences have spoken of in the other, though
they were very strong, it would be grossly un-
true and unjust to charge that they acted upon
them IN body, or were very near So l only
mean that those influences levied q tax OF
considerable per cent upon my strength
throughout the religious controversy. But
enough of this.
You say you shall instruct your delegates for
me, unless object. l certainly shall not OBJ
ject That would be too pleasant compli-
ment for me to tread in the dust. And, besides,
If anything should happen (Which, however,
thrown out of the fight would be at liberty
to accept the nomination if l could get it.
do, however, feel myself bound not to hinder
him in any way from getting the nomination.
/ should despise myself we're to attempt 1t. /
think, then, it would be proper for your meet
ing to appoint three delegates, and to instruct
them to go for some one as a first choice, some
one else as a second, and perhaps some one as a
third; and if in those instructions I were
named as the first choice, it would crafty me
very much. A. LINCOLN.
April IA, 1913.
Friend Norris: have heard it intimated that
Baker has been attempting TO get you or Miles,
or both of you, to violate the instructions of
the meeting that appointed you and to go to
him. l have insisted, and still insist, that this
cannot be true. Surely Baker would not do
the like. As well might Hardin ask me to vote
for him in the convention. Again, it is said
there will be an attempt to get up instructions
in your county requiring you to go for Baker.
This is all wrong. Upon the same rule why
might not fly from the decision against me
in Sangamon and get up ms tructions to their
delegates to go for me? There are at least
1900 Wings in the county that took no part,
and yet l would as soon put my head in the
fire as to attempt it. Besides, if any one
should get the nomination by such extraor-
binary means all harmony in the district
would inevitably be lost Honest Wings land
very nearly all of them are honest) would not
quietly abide such enormities l repeat such
an attempt on Bakers part cannot be true.
Write me at Springfield how the matter is.
Don't show or speak of this letter.
A. LINCOLN.
These letters prove that Lincoln was
keen and aspiring politician, looking
infinitely after all the legitimate means
and chances of success, but as inhexibly
scorning every act and every suspicion of
unfairness. Then, as ever after, he be-
lieved in party organization, but party
action in open and manly rivalry, con-
sistent with the most delicate sense of
honor and the warmest personal friend
ship. This same spirit animated his Sec