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From Lincoln's Reply to Douglas at Charleston, Ill., Sept. 18,

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Notes for Speeches-Written about Oct. 1, 1858
From Lincoln's Reply to Douglas in the Seventh and Last
Joint Debate, at Alton, Ill., Oct. 15, 1858

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LINCOLN'S

SPEECHES

AND LETTERS

Lincoln's First Public Speech. From an Address to the
People of Sangamon County. March 9, 1832

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 histories 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 that 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

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