细节
[LINCOLN, Abraham]. NICOLAY, John (1832-1901). Autograph letter signed ("Jno. G. Nicolay") to Joseph B. Lemen, Springfield, Illinois, 8 September 1860. 2 pages, 8vo, ruled paper, with original envelope.
CANDIDATE LINCOLN KEEPS HIS PEACE, EXPECTING TO BE JUDGED "BY HIS PAST RECORD"
Nicolay politely deflects an importuning correspondent, during the 1860 "canvass." He writes: "Your letter of the 4th inst. addressed to Hon. A. Lincoln, was duly received. Since his nomination Mr. Lincoln has uniformly declined to answer any of the many political questions which have been asked him by letter, either for the private eye of friends or for publication. He has adopted this course because, 1st, If for no other reason, he could not have answered them all for want of time, alone, and secondly because he is under at least an implied obligation to his party to make no new issues to embarrass the canvass. You will understand therefore that he declines answering, not from any want of courtesy or because he desires to conceal his opinions, but for the reason that it would impose an impossible labor upon himself, and break faith with his friends, who nominated him with the expectation that he would let the people judge him by his past record."
CANDIDATE LINCOLN KEEPS HIS PEACE, EXPECTING TO BE JUDGED "BY HIS PAST RECORD"
Nicolay politely deflects an importuning correspondent, during the 1860 "canvass." He writes: "Your letter of the 4th inst. addressed to Hon. A. Lincoln, was duly received. Since his nomination Mr. Lincoln has uniformly declined to answer any of the many political questions which have been asked him by letter, either for the private eye of friends or for publication. He has adopted this course because, 1st, If for no other reason, he could not have answered them all for want of time, alone, and secondly because he is under at least an implied obligation to his party to make no new issues to embarrass the canvass. You will understand therefore that he declines answering, not from any want of courtesy or because he desires to conceal his opinions, but for the reason that it would impose an impossible labor upon himself, and break faith with his friends, who nominated him with the expectation that he would let the people judge him by his past record."