John G. Nicolay, A Short Life of Abraham Lincoln, condensed from Nicolay and Hayes' Abraham Lincoln: A History

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Chapter 10.

Lincoln's Kansas speeches

-- the Cooper Institute speech -- New England speeches -- the Democratic schism- -- Senator Brown's resolutions -- Jefferson Davis's resolutions -- the Charleston convention -- majority and minority reports -- cotton State delegations secede -- Charleston convention Adjourns -- Democratic Baltimore convention Splits -- Breckinridge nominated -- Douglas nominated -- Bell nominated by Union constitutional convention -- Chicago convention -- Lincoln's letters to Pickett and Judd -- the pivotal States -- Lincoln nominated

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During the month of December, 1859, Mr. Lincoln was invited to the Territory of Kansas, where he made speeches at a number of its new and growing towns. In these speeches he laid special emphasis upon the necessity of maintaining undiminished the vigor of the Republican organization and the high plane of the Republican doctrine.

“We want, and must have,” said he, “a national policy as to slavery which deals with it as being a wrong. Whoever would prevent slavery becoming national and perpetual yields all when he yields to a policy which treats it either as being right, or as being a matter of indifference.” “To effect our main object we have to employ auxiliary means. We must hold conventions, adopt platforms, select candidates, and carry elections. At every step we must be true to the main purpose. If we adopt a platform falling short ”