Lincoln Candidacy Letter- 1860 Election

ALS, dated November 29th, 1860, written from 112 Broadway, New York City. Nathan Howard (1808-1876), author. ~7 1/2 x 4 1/2. 4pp.

First several pages discuss family matters, the death of a family friend's child, a Doctor's operation, the digging of a well, etc.

Last portion concerning the impending Civil War & Lincoln:

"…arising from the disunion movement from the South. This movement does not disappoint me in the least. I was well aware before the election that it would transpire in case of the election of Lincoln- who was nominated + elected from the northern portion of the US by a party and on a platform directly in the teeth of the domestic institution of the southern states- in other words, the frees states, using the forms of the constitution to disenfranchise the slave states. A man of any sense must have seen that the south could not very well, while in the exercise of common sense and common honesty, stultify themselves by acknowledging such an administration of the government. The truth is, the leaders of the Republican party knew very well when they organized their party, that this basis of anti-slavery upon which they rested their principles and hopes of success, was well calculated to take with the honest yeomanry of the country as a "great question of slavery or freedom," and operates upon their religious feelings, and their bigotry, and superstition and these leaders have not been deceived in this respect. They have triumphed and triumphed too, through fanaticism alone. Now, they will have the exquisite pleasure of admiring the beauties of an administration of half a President. I feel too indignant when I think of this folly to keep anything like a decent outward appearance. When matters, if they do at all, get calmed down, I will look into your inquiries about pianos (?). N.H. Jr.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglass, Presidential History]