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Lincoln and the American Dream, 1832-1852 25 justness of the complaint, as men often are, when interest is involved in the question, complain ofthe change, it is still to be remembered, that they are not sufficiently numerous to carry the elections. Verry Respectfully A. LINCOLN "MANY FREE COUNTRIES HAVE LOST THEIR LIBERTY" From a Speech on the Subtreasury, Springfield, Illinois [DECEMBER 26, 1839] A local pro-Whig newspaper published the full text of this attack on the Democrats' scheme for replacing the national bank, praising it as "a speech which no man can answer." It was later reprinted in pamphlet form for the 1840 election campaign. The speech tied together the ideas ofsound banking and political liberty, with Lincoln inYoking "the sacred name of Democracy" against "a system for benefitting the few at the expense of the many." We do not pretend, that a National Bank can establish and maintain a sound and uniform state of currency in the country, in spite of the National Government; but we do say, that it has established and maintained such a currency, and can do so again, by the aid of that Government ; and we further say, that no duty is more imperative on that Government, than the duty it owes the people, of furnishing them a sound and uniform currency. Many free countries have lost their liberty; and ours may lose hers; but if she shall, be it my proudest plume, not that I was the last to desert, but that I never deserted her. I know that the great volcano at 26 LINCOLN ON DEMOCRACY Washington, aroused and directed by the evil spirit that reigns there, is belching forth the lava of political corruption, in a current broad and deep, which is sweeping with frightful velocity over the whole length and breadth of the land, bidding fair to leave unscathed no green spot or living thing, while on its bosom are riding like demons on the waves of Hell, the imps ofthat evil spirit, and fiendishly taunting all those who dare resist its destroying course, with the hopelessness of their effort; and knowing this, I cannot deny that all may be swept away. Broken by it, I, too, may be; bow to it I never will. The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me. If ever I feel the soul within me elevate and expand to those dimensions not wholly unworthy of its Almighty Architect, it is when I contemplate the cause of my country, deserted by all the world beside, and I standing up boldly and alone and hurling defiance at her victorious oppressors. Here, without contemplating consequences, before High Heaven, and in the face of the world, I swear eternal fidelity to the just cause, as I deem it, of the land of my life, my liberty and my love. And who, that thinks with me, will not fearlessly adopt the oath that I take. Let none faulter, who thinks he is right, and we may succeed. But, if after all, we shall fail, be it so. We still shall have the proud consolation of saying to our consciences, and to the departed shade ofour country's freedom, that the cause approved of our judgment, and adored of our hearts, in disaster, in chains, in torture, in death, we NEVER faultered in defending. " 'GOD TEMPERS THE WIND' " From a Letter to Mary Speed [SEPTEMBER 27. 1841] Mary Speed was the half sister of Lincoln's closest friend, Joshua Speed. Judging from the playful tone with which this letter began, Mary and Lincoln became friendly as well during his long 1841 visit to "Farming- ...

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