The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death. By Henry J. Raymond. To which are added anecdotes and personal reminiscences of President Lincoln, by Frank B. Carpenter.

500 THE LIFE, PUBLIC SERVICES, AND
their lives, were hired laborers. The prudent penniless beginner in the
world labors tor wages a while, saves a surplus with which to buy tools
or land for himself, then labors on his own account another while, and at
length hires another new beginner to help him. 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. No men living are more worthy to be trusted than those
who toil up from poverty-none less inclined to touch or take aught
which they have not honestly earned. Let them beware of surrendering
a political power 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 of liberty shall be
lost."
The views then expressed remain unchanged, nor have I much to add.
None are so deeply interested to resist the present rebellion as the working people. Let them beware of prejudices, working division and hostility among thmselves. The most notable feature of a disturbance in
your city last summer was the hanging of some working people by other
working people. It should never be so. The strongest bond of human
sympathy, outside of the family relation, should be one uniting all working people, of all nations, and tongues, and kindreds. Nor should this
lead to a war upon property, or the owners of property. Property is the
fruit of labor; property is desirable; is a positive good in the world.
That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and, hence,
is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is
houseless pull down the house of another, but let him labor diligently
and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be
safe from violence when built.
The President had always taken a deep interest in the
volunteer movements of benevolent people throughout
the country, for relieving the sufferings of the sick and
wounded among our soldiers. A meeting of one of these
organizations, the Christian Commission, was held at
Wtashington, on the 22d of February, 1863, to which
President Lincoln, unable to attend and preside, addressed the following letter:
ExzcTrnvz MANsXzo, February 22, 18Sa
Rev. ALEXANDER REED:
MY DEAR SIRn:-Your note, by which you,. as General Superintendent
of the United States Christian Commission, invite me to preside at a
meeting to be held this day, at the hall of the House of Representatives
in this city, is received.
While, for reasons which I deem sufficient, I must decline to preside,
I cannot withhold my approval of the meeting, and its worthy objects
Whatever shall be, sincerely and in God's name, devised for the good