The slave whom you cannot drive with the lash to break seventy-five pounds of hemp in a day, if you will task him to break a hundred, and promise him pay for all he does over, he will break you a hundred and fifty.
In a fragment discussing the economics of slavery, Lincoln illustrates how incentives can increase productivity beyond what forced labor achieves.
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Men are not flattered by being shown that there has been a difference of purpose between the Almighty and them.
Ordered, first. That at the hour of noon on the 14th day of April, 1865, Brevet Major-General Anderson will raise and plant upon the ruins of Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, the same United States flag which floated over the battlements…
Let us strive to deserve, as far as mortals may, the continued favor of Almighty God.
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