New Salem, June 13, 1836.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE “JOURNAL”—In your paper of last Saturday I see
a communication, over the signature of “Many Voters,” in which the
candidates who are announced in the Journal are called upon to “show
their hands.” Agreed. Here’s mine.
I go for all sharing the privileges of the government who assist in
bearing its burdens. Consequently, I go for admitting all whites to
the right of suffrage who pay taxes or bear arms (by no means excluding
females).
If elected, I shall consider the whole people of Sangamon my
constituents, as well those that oppose as those that support me.
While acting as their representative, I shall be governed by their will
on all subjects upon which I have the means of knowing what their will
is; and upon all others I shall do what my own judgment teaches me
will best advance their interests. Whether elected or not, I go for
distributing the proceeds of the sales of the public lands to the
several States, to enable our State, in common with others, to dig
canals and construct railroads without borrowing money and paying the
interest on it. If alive on the first Monday in November, I shall vote
for Hugh L. White for President.
Very respectfully, A. LINCOLN.