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REPLY

TO A COMMITTEE OF LOYAL COLORED PEOPLE OF BALTIMORE, PRESENTING THE PRESIDENT WITH A BIBLE

COSTING $580.

I CAN only say now, as I have often said before, that it has always been a sentiment with me that all mankind should be free. So far as I have been able, or so far as came within my sphere, I have always acted as I believed was right and just, and have done all I could for the good of mankind. I have in letters and documents sent forth from this office expressed myself better than I can now. In regard to the Great Book I have only to say that it is the best gift which God has given man. All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this book. But for this book we could not know right from wrong. All those things desirable to man are contained in it.

OCTOBER, 1864.

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S the best contribution which I can make, is the following extract from a letter by the late Rt. Rev. Charles P. McIlvaine, D.D., D.C.L., who knew Mr. Lincoln well, and was brought into official relations with him. He mourned for him, not only as I do for a great president, but for a personal friend.

"The man, so wise, so pure, of such simplicity, such inflexible determination to the right, who had done so well in duties and times beyond precedent difficult; who had gone on winning the confidence, admiration and love of all classes, till there seemed no more to gain; just finishing his great work, just about to reap the harvest of all his toil, just showing how moderate and wise and tender he was going to be, cut down by an assassin! Oh, how it has smitten the nation's heart!"

Responding with all my heart to such an estimate of the character of President Lincoln.

G. I. Bedell

CLEVELAND, 1882.

REMARKS TO THE 189TH NEW YORK REGIMENT.

IT is said that we have the best Government the world ever knew, and I am glad to meet you, the supporters of that Government. To you, who rendered the hardest work in its support, should be given the greatest credit. Others who are connected with it, and who occupy higher positions, their duties can be dispensed with; but we cannot get along without your aid. aid. While others differ with the Administration, and, perhaps, honestly, the soldiers generally have sustained it; they have not only fought right, but, so far as could be judged from their actions, they have voted right, and I for one thank you for it.

OCTOBER 24, 1864.

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MR.

R. LINCOLN was one of those singular men whom the great unknown power brings upon the scenes of men's actions when momentous events are about to transpire. Lincoln, more than any man except Washington, came forward to lead successfully the grand advance of human rights and progress, growing out of the development of the new continent, America. That he was all that his best admirers can claim, is abundantly shown by what he did, and the judgment of the world upon it.

WASHINGTON, 1882.

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SPEECH TO THE 164TH OHIO.

THERE is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one. There is involved in this struggle the question whether your children and my children shall enjoy the privileges we have enjoyed. I say this in order to impress upon you, if you are not already so impressed, that no small matter should divert you from our great purpose. There may be some inequalities in the practical application of our system. It is fair that each man shall pay taxes in exact proportion to the value of his property; but if we should wait before collecting a tax to adjust the taxes upon each man in exact proportion with every other man, we should never collect any tax at all. There may be mistakes made. Sometimes things may be done wrong, while the officers of the Government. do all they can to prevent mistakes; but I beg of you, as citizens of this great republic, not to let your minds be carried off from the great work we have before us.

The struggle is too large for you to be diverted from it by any small matter. When you return to your homes, rise up to the dignity of a generation of men worthy of a free Government, and we will carry out the work we have commenced.

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