Life of Abraham Lincoln, Sixteenth President of the United StatesCrosby, Frank
History
Life of Abraham Lincoln, Sixteenth President of the United States
Crosby, Frank
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
The committee, appointed to apprise him of his nomination, found him
at his home, in Springfield, a frame two-storied house, apparently
about thirty-five or forty feet square, standing at the corner of two
streets. After entering the parlor, which was very plainly furnished,
though in good taste, a brief address was made by the chairman of the
convention, upon the utterance of the first sentence of which a smile
played round Mr. Lincoln’s large, firm-set mouth, his eyes lit up, and
his face conveyed to those who then for the first time met him, an
impression of that sincere, loving nature which those who had known him
long and well had learned in some measure to comprehend and revere.
* * * * *
In response to this address, Mr. Lincoln said:
“MR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE: I tender to you,
and through you to the Republican National Convention, and all
the people represented in it, my profoundest thanks for the high
honor done me, which you now formally announce. Deeply, and
even painfully sensible of the great responsibility which is
inseparable from this high honor--a responsibility which I could
almost wish had fallen upon some one of the far more eminent men
and experienced statesmen whose distinguished names were before
the Convention, I shall, by your leave, consider more fully the
resolutions of the Convention, denominated the platform, and
without unnecessary and unreasonable delay, respond to you, Mr.
Chairman, in writing, not doubting that the platform will be found
satisfactory, and the nomination gratefully accepted. And now I
will not longer defer the pleasure of taking you, and each of you,
by the hand.”
In reply to the formal letter of the President of the Convention,
apprising him of the nomination, Mr. Lincoln addressed the following:
“_Springfield, Illinois_, May 23d, 1860.
“HON. GEORGE ASHMAN, _President of the Republican National
Convention_.
“SIR: I accept the nomination tendered me by the Convention
over which you presided, and of which I am formally apprised 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,
“ABRAHAM LINCOLN.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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