I Am A Freeman And Jolly As

To Vote Is Like The Payment Of A Debt, A Duty Never To Be Neglected, If Its Performance Is Possible.

It Is A Government Of The People By The People For The People No Longer It Is A Government Of Corporations By Corporations For Corporations

What Congress And The Popular Sentiment Approve Is Rarely Defeated By Reason Of Constitutional Objections. I Trust The Measure Will Turn Out Well. It Is A Great Relief To Me. Defeat In This Way, After A Full And Public Hearing Before This [electoral] Commission, Is Not Mortifying In Any Degree, And Success Will Be In All Respects More Satisfactory.

These Semi-traitors [union Generals Who Were Not Hostile To Slavery] Must Be Watched. Let Us Be Careful Who Become Army Leaders In The Reorganized Army At The End Of This Rebellion. The Man Who Thinks That The Perpetuity Of Slavery Is Essential To The Existence Of The Union, Is Unfit To Be Trusted. The Deadliest Enemy The Union Has Is Slavery - In Fact, Its Only Enemy.

You Know I Am Given To Antiquarian And Genealogical Pursuits. An Old Family Letter Is A Delight To My Eyes. I Can Prowl In Old Trunks Of Letters By The Day With Undiminished Zest.