While, on the other hand, if there be any man in the Republican party who is impatient over the necessity springing from its actual presence, and is impatient of the constitutional guaranties thrown around it, and would act in disregard of these, he too is misplaced, standing with us.
From notes for speeches in October 1858, Lincoln defines the limits of acceptable action for Republicans, emphasizing respect for constitutional guarantees despite opposition to slavery.
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I am considering, and shall not fail to act when satisfied that action will be proper.
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.
I believe that it is not only possible, but in fact easier, to do this without deciding or even considering whether these States have ever been out of the Union, than with it.
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