FELLOW-CITIZENS: Having become a candidate for the honorable office of
one of your representatives in the next General Assembly of this state,
in accordance with an established custom and the principles of true
republicanism, it becomes my duty to make known to you--the people whom
I propose to represent--my sentiments with regard to local affairs.
Time and experience have verified to a demonstration, the public
utility of internal improvements. That the poorest and most thinly
populated countries would be greatly benefited by the opening of good
roads, and in the clearing of navigable streams within their limits, is
what no person will deny. But yet it is folly to undertake works of
this or any other kind, without first knowing that we are able to
finish them--as half finished work generally proves to be labor lost.
There cannot justly be any objection to having railroads and canals,
any more than to other good things, provided they cost nothing. The
only objection is to paying for them; and the objection to paying
arises from the want of ability to pay.
With respect to the county of Sangamon, some more easy means of
communication than we now possess, for the purpose of facilitating the
task of exporting the surplus products of its fertile soil, and
importing necessary articles from abroad, are indispensably necessary.
A meeting has been held of the citizens of Jacksonville, and the
adjacent country, for the purpose of deliberating and enquiring into
the expediency of constructing a railroad from some eligible point on
the Illinois river, through the town of Jacksonville, in Morgan county,
to the town of Springfield in Sangamon county. This is, indeed, a very
desirable object. No other improvement that reason will justify us in
hoping for, can equal in utility the railroad. It is a never failing
source of communication, between places of business remotely situated
from each other. Upon the railroad the regular progress of commercial
intercourse is not interrupted by either high or low water, or freezing
weather, which are the principal difficulties that render our future
hopes of water communication precarious and uncertain. Yet, however
desirable an object the construction of a railroad through our country
may be; however high our imaginations may be heated at thoughts of
it--there is always a heart appalling shock accompanying the account of
its cost, which forces us to shrink from our pleasing anticipations.
The probable cost of this contemplated railroad is estimated at
$290,000;--the bare statement of which, in my opinion, is sufficient to
justify the belief, that the improvement of the Sangamon river is an
object much better suited to our infant resources.
Respecting this view, I think I may say, without the fear of being
contradicted, that its navigation may be rendered completely
practicable, as high as the mouth of the South Fork, or probably
higher, to vessels of from 25 to 30 tons burthen, for at least one half
of all common years, and to vessels of much greater burthen a part of
that time. From my peculiar circumstances, it is probable that for the
last twelve months I have given as particular attention to the stage of
the water in this river, as any other person in the country. In the
month of March, 1831, in company with others, I commenced the building
of a flatboat on the Sangamon, and finished and took her out in the
course of the spring. Since that time, I have been concerned in the
mill at New Salem. These circumstances are sufficient evidence, that I
have not been very inattentive to the stages of the water.--The time at
which we crossed the milldam, being in the last days of April, the
water was lower than it had been since the breaking of winter in
February, or than it was for several weeks after. The principal
difficulties we encountered in descending the river, were from the
drifted timber, which obstructions all know is not difficult to be
removed. Knowing almost precisely the height of water at that time, I
believe I am safe in saying that it has as often been higher as lower
since.
From this view of the subject, it appears that my calculations with
regard to the navigation of the Sangamon, cannot be unfounded in
reason; but whatever may be its natural advantages, certain it is, that
it never can be practically useful to any great extent, without being
greatly improved by art. The drifted timber, as I have before
mentioned, is the most formidable barrier to this object. Of all parts
of this river, none will require so much labor in proportion, to make
it navigable as the last thirty or thirty-five miles; and going with
the meanderings of the channel, when we are this distance above its
mouth, we are only between twelve and eighteen miles above Beardstown
in something near a straight direction, and this route is upon such low
ground as to retain water in many places during the season, and in all
parts such as to draw two-thirds or three-fourths of the river water at
all stages.
This route is up on prairieland the whole distance;--so that it appears
to me, by removing the turf, a sufficient width, and damming up the old
channel, the whole river in a short time would wash its way through,
thereby curtailing the distance, and increasing the velocity of the
current very considerably, while there would be no timber upon the
banks to obstruct its navigation in future; and being nearly straight,
the timber which might float in at the head, would be apt to go clear
through. There are also many places above this where the river, in its
zigzag course, forms such complete peninsulas, as to be easier cut
through at the necks than to remove the obstructions from the
bends--which if done, would also lessen the distance.
What the cost of this work would be, I am unable to say. It is
probable, however, that it would not be greater than is common to
streams of the same length. Finally, I believe the improvement of the
Sangamon river, to be vastly important and highly desirable to the
improvement of the county; and if elected, any measure in the
legislature having this for its object, which may appear judicious,
will meet my approbation and shall receive my support.
It appears that the practice of loaning money at exorbitant rates of
interest, has already been opened as a field for discussion; so I
suppose I may enter upon it without claiming the honor, or risking the
danger, which may await its first explorer. It seems as though we are
never to have an end to this baneful and corroding system, acting
almost as prejudicial to the general interests of the community as a
direct tax of several thousand dollars annually laid on each county,
for the benefit of a few individuals only, unless there be a law made
setting a limit to the rates of usury. A law for this purpose, I am of
opinion, may be made without materially injuring any class of people.
In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to
cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended
effect. I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which
might be very easily evaded. Let it be such that the labor and
difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of greatest
necessity.
Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or
system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most
important subject which we as a people can be engaged in. That every
man may receive at least, a moderate education, and thereby be enabled
to read the history of his own and other countries, by which he may
duly appreciate the value of our free institutions, appears to be an
object of vital importance, even on this account alone, to say nothing
of the advantages and satisfaction to be derived from all being able to
read the scriptures and other works, both of a religious and moral
nature, for themselves. For my part, I desire to see the time when
education, and by its means, morality, sobriety, enterprise and
industry, shall become much more general than at present, and should be
gratified to have it in my power to contribute something to the
advancement of any measure which might have a tendency to accelerate
the happy period.
With regard to existing laws, some alterations are thought to be
necessary. Many respectable men have suggested that our estray
laws--the law respecting the issuing of executions, the road law, and
some others, are deficient in their present form, and require
alterations. But considering the great probability that the framers of
those laws were wiser than myself, I should prefer [not] meddling with
them, unless they were first attacked by others, in which case I should
feel it both a privilege and a duty to take that stand, which in my
view, might tend most to the advancement of justice.
But, fellow-citizens, I shall conclude.--Considering the great degree
of modesty which should always attend youth, it is probable I have
already been more presuming than becomes me. However, upon the
subjects of which I have treated, I have spoken as I thought. I may be
wrong in regard to any or all of them; but, holding it a sound maxim,
that it is better to be only sometimes right, than at all times wrong,
so soon as I discover my opinions to be erroneous, I shall be ready to
renounce them.
Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or
not, I can say, for one, that I have no other so great as that of being
truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their
esteem. How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition, is yet to
be developed. I am young and unknown to many of you. I was born and
have ever remained in the most humble walks of life. I have no wealthy
or popular relations to recommend me. My case is thrown exclusively
upon the independent voters of this county, and if elected they will
have conferred a favor upon me, for which I shall be unremitting in my
labors to compensate. But, if the good people in their wisdom shall
see fit to keep me in the background, I have been too familiar with
disappointments to be very much chagrined.
Your friend and fellow-citizen,
A. LINCOLN.
NEW SALEM, March 9, 1832.