Lincoln tries to smooth factional differences among Pennsylvania Republicans. To John M. Pomeroy, who wrote of local troubles, he replies: "I am slow to listen to criminations among friends. . . . My sincere wish is that both sides will allow by-gones to be by-gones, and look to the present & future only." He also writes friendly notes to Zachariah Chandler of Michigan and Benjamin F. James of Chicago. Abraham Lincoln to John M. Pomeroy, 31 August 1860, CW, 4:103-4; Abraham Lincoln to Zachariah Chandler, 31 August 1860, CW, 4:102-3; Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. James, 31 August 1860, CW, 4:103.