My dear Sir Nov. 19, 1858.
Your very kind and complimentary letter of the 15th. was received yesterday; and for which I sincerely thank you. In the last canvass I strove to do my whole duty both to our cause, and to the kind friends who had assigned me the post of honor; and now if those friends find no cause to regret that they did not assign that post to other hands, I have none for having made the effort, even though it has ended in personal defeat. I hope and believe seed has been sown that will yet produce fruit. The fight must go on. Douglas managed to be supported both as the best means to break down, and to uphold the slave power. No ingenuity can long keep those opposing elements in harmony. Another explosion will come before a great while. Yours very truly A. LINCOLN.