The Public Record
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. A member of the Republican Party, he is best known for leading the nation through the Civil War and for his efforts to abolish slavery, notably through the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Lincoln's leadership during this tumultuous period helped to preserve the Union and set the stage for the eventual passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the United States.
I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to ratification, a treaty between the United States of America and His Majesty the King of Hanover, concerning the abolition of the Stade or Brunshausen dues, signed at Berlin on…
To the House of Representatives: I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, in reply to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 31st July last, upon the subject of increasing and extending trade and commerce of…
To the House of Representatives: I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, in reply to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 13th July last.
Let them beware of surrendering a political power which they already possess, and which, if surrendered, will surely be used to close the door of advancement against such as they, and to fix new disabilities and burdens upon them, till all…
No men living are more worthy to be trusted than those who toil up from poverty, none less inclined to take or touch aught which they have not honestly earned.
This is the just and generous and prosperous system which opens the way to all, gives hope to all, and consequent energy and progress and improvement of condition to all.
Capital has its rights, which are as worthy of protection as any other rights.
Labour is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.
Nations thus tempted to interfere are not always able to resist the counsels of seeming expediency and ungenerous ambition, although measures adopted under such influences seldom fail to be injurious and unfortunate to those adopting them.
They can scarcely have failed to perceive that the effort for disunion produces the existing difficulty; and that one strong nation promises a more durable peace and a more extensive, valuable, and reliable commerce than can the same…
It continues to develop that the insurrection is largely, if not exclusively, a war upon the first principle of popular government,--the rights of the people.
In my present position, I could scarcely be justified were I to omit raising a warning voice against this approach of returning despotism.
It is the effort to place capital on an equal footing with, if not above, labour, in the structure of government.
The execution of the laws for the suppression of the African slave trade has been confided to the Department of the Interior.
I venture to hope it will appear that we have practiced prudence and liberality toward foreign powers, averting causes of irritation and with firmness maintaining our own rights and honor.
I therefore recommend, as a military measure, that Congress provide for the construction of such road as speedily as possible.
The revenue from all sources, including loans, for the financial year ending on the 30th of June, 1861, was $86,835,900.27.
A nation which endures factious domestic division is exposed to disrespect abroad.
If any good reason exists why we should persevere longer in withholding our recognition of the independence and sovereignty of Hayti and Liberia, I am unable to discern it.
I invite your attention to the correspondence between Her Britannic Majesty's minister accredited to this Government and the Secretary of State.
The struggle of to-day is not altogether for to-day; it is for a vast future also.
Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.
We should not be in haste to determine that radical and extreme measures, which may reach the loyal as well as the disloyal, are indispensable.
Politicians like Abraham Lincoln
