The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-01-08
New News of Yesterday
LiNcoLN's ORIGINAL LETTER oE
ACCEPTANCE
(sy z. J. Ed~ar1s

There IL one n n,
Abraham Linsoln's 10 De RANKED
among his most important letters
shlch. 50 far IL know. has been
lost, although | am confident that h
nae rot oeen destroyed. II Is IN safe
This statement was made 10 me by
tne ate Colonel George Bliss. who
Vas TOT several years on the star 81
oferno Morgan. OF New York. and
"a atterward United States district
sttorney for the district OF which New
me late Daniel G. Rollins. the most
of personal and political
friends OF General Chester A Arthnr
ms was a friendship that began
Nnen both we're on the star OF GOV
ernor Morgan IN Civil War days. and
a continned during the presi-
dency OF General Arthur.
i suppose that I am especially in
crested In this important paper
which Lincoln wrote because n was
nrst sent 10 a friend % my family In
Springfield, Mass said Col Bliss.
/ am a native or Springfield, and my
early boyhood was spent in that
town. MY family was intimate with
the late George Ashmun. who in the
early days OF the Republican party
was esteemed as one OF the great
leaders OF hat party.
MT Ashmun was chairman OF the
Republican national convention al
1850. and II a he who announced
mat Abraham Lincoln had been NOM
mated for the Presidency. As chair
man he appointed tho COMMITTEES
which was TO call upon Mr.. Lincoln
at Springfield, Ill. TO notify him OF his
II was my impression
mat Mr., Ashmun did not 20 10 Spring
held with the committee. but after
the adjournment OF the convention
returned 20 his home I'm Springfield.
lie was, OF course. looked upon as a
man OF great influence and authority
IN Springfield because he had presid-
ed over the convention which nomin-
ated Lincoln for the Presidency and
hannibal Hamlin for vice president.
i was told that Mr.. Ashmun waited
az his home In Springfield for tho let
Ter which Lincoln told the committee
that caleld apo him to inform him
or his nomination he would write 10
the chairman OF the convention an
nouncing his acceptance OF the nom
nation and setting forth briefly what
ne regarded as the principles which
the Republican party represented.
Lincoln did write that letter. l
remember very we'll reading IL in the
New York Tribune. A copy OF It was
given 70 the press by Mr.. Ashmun
soon after he received II. The letter
ITSELF served 20 strengthen the conf
dence in the good Judgment OF the
convention In nominating Lincoln.
Il never thought Of that letter until
years later, just after the biography
or Lincoln was published-the au-
lucrative biography written by Hay
aud Nicolay.
Then II occurred 10 me what had
become OF the original letter. Who
had II? II ought TO be secured and
placed for ~safe-keeping either in some
library or some other appropriate
place. But upon inquiry I found that
no n could give me any informa-
ton. ] did lear vaguely from my
friend the former postmaster general
Thomas l.. James. that he had beon
informed The letter was still I'm exist
ence But General James could not
remember who told him. II ! had the
time ! would make diligent search for
that letter. so that the original manu-
script OF Lincoln's letter OF accept
ance could be secured and put into
some appropriate place. where II
would be preserved TO posterity."
Copyright. 1914. bv z. ]. Edwards.
All rights reserved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards VIII tell
An Anecdote OF a Sympathetic Faith
e~r-in-Law"