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Lincoln and the Race for President, 1859-1860 179 "I REJOICE WITH You IN THE SUCCESS" Remarks at Springfield, Illinois [NOVEMBER 20, 1860] Not only did presidential candidates in Lincoln's day remain silent during campaigns; winners did not declare victory and losers did not concede defeat, as they do with such great pomp today. Lincoln issued no known statement the night ofhis election, November 6, only these briefacknowledgments to a rally of Republican supporters two weeks later. FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS:-Please excuse me, on this occasion, from making a speech. I thank you for the kindness and compliment of this call. I thank you, in common with all others, who have thought fit, by their votes, to indorse the Republican cause. I rejoice with you in the success which has, so far, attended that cause. Yet in all our rejoicing let us neither express, nor cherish, any harsh feeling towards any citizen who, by his vote, has differed with us. Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in the bonds of fraternal feeling. Let me again beg you to accept my thanks, and to excuse me from further speaking at this time. ...

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