To Edward Everett → [1]
Your kind note of to-day is received. In our respective parts yesterday, you could not have been excused to make a short address, nor I a long one. I am pleased to know that, in your judgment, the little I did say was not entirely a failure. Of course I knew Mr. Everett would not fail; and yet, while the whole discourse was eminently satisfactory, and will be of great value, there were passages in it which trancended my expectation. The point made against the theory of the general government being only an agency, whose principals are the States, was new to me, and, as I think, is one of the best arguments for the national supremacy. The tribute to our noble women for their angel-ministering to the suffering soldiers, surpasses, in its way, as do the subjects of it, whatever has gone before.
Our sick boy, for whom you kindly inquire, we hope is past the worst. Your Obt. Servt. A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, MHi. On November 20, ← Edward Everett wrote Lincoln:
``Not wishing to intrude upon your privacy, when you must be much engaged, I beg leave, in this way, to thank you very sincerely for your greatPage 25 thoughtfulness for my daughter's accommodation on the Platform yesterday, & much kindness otherwise to me & mine at Gettysburg.
``Permit me also to express my great admiration of the thoughts expressed by you, with such eloquent simplicity & appropriateness, at the consecration of the cemetery. I should be glad, if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes. My son who parted from me at Baltimore & my daughter, concur in this sentiment. . . .''
``I hope your anxiety for your child was relieved on your arrival.'' (DLC-RTL).
``Tad'' Lincoln had been sick when Lincoln went to Gettysburg on November 18, and Lincoln was ill with varioloid for several days following his return to Washington.
