Lincoln’s Farewell Address at Springfield, Illinois.  February 11, 1861

My Friends, No one not in my situation can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting.  To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything.  Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man.  Here my children have been born, and one is buried.  I now leave, not knowing when or whether ever I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington.  Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him I cannot succeed.  With that assistance I cannot fail.  Trusting in Him, who can go with me and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well.  To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.

A Letter to the Hon. Geo. Ashmun accepting his Nomination for the Presidency.  May 23, 1860

I accept the nomination tendered me by the Convention over which you presided, and of which I am formally apprized in the 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 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.

Letter to Miss Grace Bedell.  Springfield, Illinois.  October 19, 1860

My dear little Miss, Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received.  I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughter.  I have three sons—­one seventeen, one nine, and one seven years of age.  They, with their mother, constitute my whole family.  As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin it now?

From an Address to the Legislature at Indianapolis, Indiana.  February 12, 1861

Fellow-citizens of the State of Indiana, I am here to thank you much for this magnificent welcome, and still more for the generous support given by your State to that political cause which I think is the true and just cause of the whole country and the whole world.

Solomon says “there is a time to keep silence,” and when men wrangle by the mouth with no certainty that they mean the same thing while using the same word, it perhaps were as well if they would keep silence.