Abraham Lincoln: “I have here stated my purpose according to my views of official duty, and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed…”

Grant that he desires the elective franchise, will he not attain it sooner by saving the already advanced steps towards it, than by running backward over them?

I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.

The question is, will it be wiser to take it as it is and help to improve it, or to reject and disperse it?

Unlike a case of war between independent nations, there is no organized organ for us to treat with,--no one man has authority to give up the rebellion for any other man.