There may be some inequalities in the practical application of our system.  It is fair that each man shall pay taxes in exact proportion to the value of his property; but if we should wait, before collecting a tax, to adjust the taxes upon each man in exact proportion with every other man, we should never collect any tax at all.  There may be mistakes made sometimes; and things may be done wrong, while the officers of the Government do all they can to prevent mistakes.  But I beg of you, as citizens of this great Republic, not to let your minds be carried off from the great work we have before us.  This struggle is too large for you to be diverted from it by any small matter.  When you return to your homes, rise up to the height of a generation of men worthy of a free government, and we will carry out the great work we have commenced.  I return to you my sincere thanks, soldiers, for the honor you have done me this afternoon.

Telegram to general Butler. 
Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C., August 20, 1864.

Major-general Butler, Bermuda Hundred, Va.: 

Please allow Judge Snead to go to his family on Eastern Shore, or give me some good reason why not.

A. Lincoln.

ADDRESS TO THE 166TH OHIO REGIMENT,

August 22, 1864.

Soldiers—­I suppose you are going home to see your families and friends.  For the services you have done in this great struggle in which we are engaged, I present you sincere thanks for myself and the country.

I almost always feel inclined, when I say anything to soldiers, to impress upon them, in a few brief remarks, the importance of success in this contest.  It is not merely for the day, but for all time to come, that we should perpetuate for our children’s children that great and free government which we have enjoyed all our lives.  I beg you to remember this, not merely for my sake, but for yours.  I happen, temporarily, to occupy this big White House.  I am a living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father’s child has.  It is in order that each one of you may have, through this free government which we have enjoyed, an open field, and a fair chance for your industry, enterprise, and intelligence; that you may all have equal privileges in the race of life with all its desirable human aspirations—­it is for this that the struggle should be maintained, that we may not lose our birthrights—­not only for one, but for two or three years, if necessary.  The nation is worth fighting for, to secure such an inestimable jewel.

MEMORANDUM.

Executive Mansion, Washington,
August 23, 1864.

This morning, as for some days past, it seems exceedingly probable that this administration will not be re-elected.  Then it will be my duty to so co-operate with the President-elect as to save the Union between the election and the inauguration; as he will have secured his election on such ground that he cannot possibly save it afterward.