Now, let me ask a question. Why is all this libeling of me? I am a mere private citizen, hold no office, do not beg the people to give me one often. My religious ideas, views, and philosophy are today, here, unpopular. But wait, I will not deny my ideas, views, or philosophy for office or station or the applause of the unthinking multitude. I can, however, answer the above question. It, the libeling, is done because I did assert and affirm by oral language and by print that Mr. Lincoln was an infidel, sometimes bordering on atheism, and yet he was among the best, greatest, and noblest of mankind; he was a grand man. Why do not the Christians prove that Mr. Lincoln was an evangelical Christian and thus prove me a liar? One of my friends, for whom I have great respect, says, that "Mr. Lincoln was a _rational_ Christian because he believed in morality." Why not say Lincoln was _rational_ Buddhist, as Buddhism teaches morality? Why not say Lincoln was _rational_ Mohammedan? By the way, let me say here, that I have a profound respect for an earnest, manly, and sincere Christian or an Atheist, a profound respect for an earnest, manly, and sincere Infidel or theist or any other religion, or the men who hold it, when that belief is woven into a great manly character to beautify and greaten the world. These charges, and I do not know how many more, nor of what kind, have been scattered broadcast all over the land, and have gone into every house, have been read at every fireside till the good people believe them, believe that I am nearly as mean as a little Christian, and all because I told the truth and stand firm in my conviction. Respectfully, W. H. HERNDON. November 9, 1882. [Privately printed by H. E. Barker, Springfield, 1917, edition limited to 75 copies.] APPENDIX VI THE IRWIN ARTICLE WITH LETTERS CONCERNING LINCOLN'S RELIGIOUS BELIEF Another Valuable Contribution to the History of the Martyr President.--Was Abraham Lincoln an Infidel?--A Painstaking Examination of the Case by An Old Acquaintance.--Important Testimony of Contemporaneous Witnesses.--History of the Famous Manuscript of 1833.--Mentor Graham Says It Was a Defence of Christianity.--The Burned Manuscript Quite a Different Affair.--The Charge of Infidelity in 1848, Said to Have Been Disproved at the Time.--Letter of Hon. Wm. Reid, U. S. Consul at Dundee, Scotland. By B. F. IRWIN PLEASANT PLAINS, ILL., April 20, 1874.