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Reply to Committee of the Republican National Convention1Jump to section
Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I tender [to] you, and through you [to] the Republican National Convention, and all the people represented in it, my profoundest thanks for the high honor done me, which you now formally announce.
Deeply, and even painfully sensible of the great responsibility which is inseparable from that [this high] honor---a responsibility which I could almost wish had fallen upon some one of the far more eminent men and experienced statesmen whose distinguished names were before the Convention, I shall, by your leave, consider more fully the resolutions of the Convention, denominated the platform, and without unseasonable [unnecessary or unreasonable] delay, respond to you, Mr. Chairman, in writing---not doubting now, that the platform will be found satisfactory, and the nomination [gratefully] accepted.
And now, I will not longer defer the pleasure of taking you, and each of you, by the hand.
Annotation
[1] Illinois State Journal, May 21, 1860; New York Tribune, May 25, 1860. The Tribune variations in the text are bracketed. The committee consisting of the president of the convention George Ashmun of Massachusetts and the chairmen of the various state delegations arrived at the Lincoln home sometime after eight o'clock, P.M. Gathered in the ``large north parlor,'' they heard a brief notification speech by Ashmun and Lincoln's reply. Afterwards Ashmun introduced the delegates personally to Lincoln.