Lincoln on Democracy

"I Shall Be Governed By Their Will": Announcement in the Sangamo Journal

Lincoln and the American Dream, 1832-1852 "I SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THEIR WILL" Announcement in the Sangamo Journal [JUNE 13, 1836] Lincoln won a seat in the Illinois legislature on his second try, in 1834. As a candidate for another term he wrote this letter setting out his platform for reelection. His interest in internal improvements was standard Whig Party policy ofthe day. So was his beliefin the "doctrine ofinstructions ," the obligation of elected representatives to vote the will of their constituents. Lincoln finished first among seventeen candidates in the August 1 election, but while his choice for president, Hugh L. White, did well locally, he was defeated in both the state and the nation by Martin Van Buren. 11 New Salem, June 13, 1836. To the Editor of the Journal: In your paper of last Saturday, I see a communication over the signature of "Many Voters," in which the candidates who are announced in the Journal, are called upon to "show their hands." Agreed. Here's mine! I go for all sharing the privileges of the government, who assist in bearing its burthens. Consequently I go for admitting all whites to the right of suffrage, who pay taxes or bear arms, (by no means excluding females.) If elected, I shall consider the whole people of Sangamon my constituents , as well those that oppose, as those that support me. While acting as their representative, I shall be governed by their will, on all subjects upon which I have the means of knowing what their will is; and upon all others, I shall do what my own judgment teaches me will best advance their interests. Whether elected or not, I go for distributing the proceeds of the sales of the public lands to the several states, to enable our state, in common with others, to dig canals and 12 LINCOLN ON DEMOCRACY construct rail roads, without borrowing money and paying interest on it. If alive on the first Monday in November, I shall vote for Hugh L. White for President. Very respectfully, A. LINCOLN. "THE PEOPLE KNOW THEIR RIGHTS" From a Speech to the Illinois Legislature [JANUARY II, 1837] Whig Representative Lincoln backed the charter of the Illinois State Bank, and remained its steadfast supportereven when it came dangerously close to insolvency. Here he defends its management, with what historian Gabor S. Boritt has pointed out was rather "overblown oratory" for a legislative debate on the banking issue. Singular indeed that the people should be writhing under oppression and injury, and yet not one among them to be found, to raise the voice of complaint. If the Bank be inflicting injury upon the people, why is it, that not a single petition is presented to this body on the subject? If the Bank really be a grievance, why is it, that no one of the real people is found to ask redress of it? The truth is, no such oppression exists. If it did, our table would groan with memorials and petitions, and we would not be permitted to rest day or night, till we had put it down. The people know their rights; and they are never slow to assert and maintain them, when they are invaded. I am opposed to encouraging that lawless and mobocratic spirit, whether in relation to the bank or any thing else, which is already abroad in the land; and is spreading with rapid and fearful impetuosity, ...