Lincoln on Democracy

"Leaving the People's Business in Their Hands": From a Speech in the u.s. House of Representatives on the Presidential Question

40 LINCOLN ON DEMOCRACY "LEAVING THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS IN THEIR HANDS" From a Speech in the u.s. House of Representatives on the Presidential Question [JUL Y 27, 1848] Whigs believed a president should avoid the veto whenever possible, and in this speech before Congress, Lincoln voiced the party view. During his own presidency, Lincoln would veto only six bills, as compared with his successor, Andrew Johnson, who rejected twenty-eight, most of which vetoes were overridden. My friend from Indiana [Caleb B. Smith, his future secretary of the interior-eds.] has aptly asked "Are you willing to trust the people?" Some of you answered, substantially "We are willing to trust the trust the [sic] people; but the President is as much the representative of the people as Congress." In a certain sense, and to a certain extent, he is the representative of the people. He is elected by them, as well as congress is. But can he, in the nature [of] things, know the wants of the people, as well as three hundred other men, coming from all the various localities of the nation? If so, where is the propriety of having a congress? That the constitution gives the President a negative on legislation, all know; but that this negative should be so combined with platforms, and other appliances, as to enable him, and, in fact, almost compel him, to take the whole of legislation into his own hands, is what we object to, is what Gen: [Zachary] Taylor objects to, and is what constitutes the broad distinction between you and us. To thus transfer legislation, is clearly to take it from those who understand, with minuteness , the interests of the people, and give it to one who does not, and can not so well understand it. One word more, and I shall have done with this branch ofthe subject. You democrats, and your candidate [presidential nominee Lewis Lincoln and the American Dream, 1832-1852 41 Cass-eds.], in the main are in favor of laying down, in advance, a platform-a set of party positions, as a unit; and then of enforcing the people, by every sort of appliance, to ratify them, however unpalatable some of them may be. We, and our candidate, are in favor of making Presidential elections, and the legislation of the country, distinct matters ; so that the people can elect whom they please, and afterwards, legislate just as they please, without any hindrance, save only so much as may guard against infractions of the constitution, undue haste, and want of consideration. The difference between us, is clear as noonday. That we are right, we can not doubt. We hold the true republican position. In leaving the people's business in their hands, we can not be wrong. Weare willing, and even anxious, to go to the people, on this issue. "Go TO WORK, 'TOOTH AND NAILS'" Letter to His Stepbrother [DECEMBER 24, 1848] Lincoln believed from the beginning ofhis political career in full opportunity . But while he believed "every poor man should have a chance, " he was less than patient with poor men who lacked ambition-including his own stepbrother, who was thirty-seven when Lincoln wrote this letter. Lincoln urged him to end his life of idleness, offering to match every dollar he earned. "/am alwaysfor the man who wishes to work, " Lincoln continued to believe as president. But John D. Johnston did not wish to work. He died in California in 1854, leaving an estate worth only $55.90. Dear Johnston: Your request for eighty dollars, I do not think it best, to comply with now. At the various times when I have helped you a little, you have said to me "We can get along very well now" but in a very short time I find ...