1860 Pro Lincoln Iowa Politics Letter

Two Autograph Letters Signed by Asahel Ward, later lieutenant 48th Iowa Infantry, 4pp quarto, Indianola, Iowa, September 11, 1860, and reads in part: "...I visited Chicago at the time of the Republican convention…I got a letter from our brother Jake last week. He is now in Hancock Co. Ill. among the Mormons & writes me for money…Dr. Steele is one of the most ultra and ugliest Douglass Democrats in all our country. Tom Wingleers , Jerome Taylor & Uncle George are all for 'Old Abe' Knox is all right and I can assure you Old Abe is safe so far as Iowa is concerned…" Fine condition…plus; ALS by Asahel Ward, 3pp quarto, "Morning of the 12", and reads in part: "...Thousands of cattle and hogs are being driven from Missouri to winter in Iowa. I can't help but laugh at the Missiourians. They seem very poor (if we are to judge from appearances) yet they offer to but thousands of dollars that Douglass will carry all the states except South Carolina, Vermont & Massachusetts. They say these last three are to ultra disunion. That Breckenridge will take Carolina while the Abolition candidate will carry the other two. Poor fellows little do they suspect the amount of disappointment that is in store for them. The Democracy here abouts are divided into two classes one of which go around crying Disunion, Disunion, Abolition, Wooly &c. While the others Bowells seem to be in bad order. Judging from the offensive order that is emitted from most of our public school houses (where the Republicans have appointments for meetings) Buggies & signs seem to fare no better Like the skunk they came in this way sometimes drive their more powerful enemy but this only shows what they would do had they the power. In this course freedom of speech, freedom of the press, as well as freedom of the Territories, are alike lost sight of, but that mattes not so that 'My great principal' prevails and I find my mother and am elected President…." Fine condition.