Abraham Lincoln: “I invite the people of the United States to assemble on that occasion in their customary places of worship and in the…”

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.

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?

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