Abraham Lincoln: “The sentiment that contemplates the institution of slavery in this country as a wrong is the sentiment of the Republican…”

Important principles may and must be inflexible.

As a general rule I abstain from reading the reports of attacks upon myself, wishing not to be provoked by that to which I cannot properly offer an answer.

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

If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business.