Abraham Lincoln: “The United States have no enmities, animosities, or rivalries, and no interests which conflict with the welfare, safety…”

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.

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

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.