Thursday,
June 22, 1848.Washington, DC. | Congressman Lincoln writes to his law partner William H.
Herndon and encourages "young men" to participate in Zachary Taylor's
presidential campaign. He writes, "You must not wait to be brought forward by
the older men. . . . [D]o you suppose that I should ever have got into notice if I had
waited to be hunted up and pushed forward by older men. You young men get
together . . . and have regular meetings and speeches." Lincoln predicts, "the
older men, and the women will go to hear you; so that it will not only
contribute to the election of 'Old Zach' but will be an interesting pastime,
and improving to the intellectual faculties of all engaged." Lincoln is annoyed
that the "whig paper[s] of our district" do not reprint many of the "speeches"
made by the members of Congress. He also chastises Herndon for continuing to
"ask how Congress came to declare . . . war" on Mexico. Lincoln writes, "Is it
possible you dont understand that yet? You have at least twenty speeches in
your possession that fully explain it. I will, however, try it once more."
Abraham Lincoln to William
H. Herndon, 22 June 1848, CW, 1:490-92. In House he
votes for bill for regulation of seamen on public and private vessels. It
passes.Journal. |