With regard to existing laws, some alterations are thought to be necessary.  Many respectable men have suggested that our estray laws, the law respecting the issuing of executions, the road law, and some others, are deficient in their present form, and require alterations.  But, considering the great probability that the framers of those laws were wiser than myself, I should prefer not meddling with them, unless they were first attacked by others; in which case I should feel it both a privilege and a duty to take that stand which, in my view, might tend most to the advancement of justice.

But, fellow-citizens, I shall conclude.  Considering the great degree of modesty which should always attend youth, it is probable I have already been more presuming than becomes me.  However, upon the subjects of which I have treated, I have spoken as I have thought.  I may be wrong in regard to any or all of them; but, holding it a sound maxim that it is better only sometimes to be right than at all times to be wrong, so soon as I discover my opinions to be erroneous, I shall be ready to renounce them.

Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition.  Whether it be true or not, I can say, for one, that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow-men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem.  How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition is yet to be developed.  I am young, and unknown to many of you.  I was born, and have ever remained, in the most humble walks of life.  I have no wealthy or popular relations or friends to recommend me.  My case is thrown exclusively upon the independent voters of the county; and, if elected, they will have conferred a favor upon me for which I shall be unremitting in my labors to compensate.  But, if the good people in their wisdom shall see fit to keep me in the background, I have been too familiar with disappointments to be very much chagrined.

Your friend and fellow-citizen, A. Lincoln.

New Salem, March 9, 1832.

1833 To E. C. Blankenship.

New Salem, Aug. 10, 1833
E. C. Blankenship.

Dear Sir:—­In regard to the time David Rankin served the enclosed discharge shows correctly—­as well as I can recollect—­having no writing to refer.  The transfer of Rankin from my company occurred as follows:  Rankin having lost his horse at Dixon’s ferry and having acquaintance in one of the foot companies who were going down the river was desirous to go with them, and one Galishen being an acquaintance of mine and belonging to the company in which Rankin wished to go wished to leave it and join mine, this being the case it was agreed that they should exchange places and answer to each other’s names—­as it was expected we all would be discharged in very few days.  As to a blanket—­I have no knowledge of Rankin ever getting any.  The above embraces all the facts now in my recollection which are pertinent to the case.