Abraham Lincoln: “Was it possible to lose the nation and yet preserve the Constitution?”

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.

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

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.

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.