Eureka, July 26th, 1858.
Hon. Abram Lincoln
Dear Sir,
Although I
have not the pleasure of a personal
acquaintance with you yet I have
taken the present liberty with you in 
consideration of the political issues that
now agitate the minds of the citizens not only
of this state but of the whole United States.
And knowing your personal integrity and
honesty I have concluded to address you.
During the last presidential campaign you
made a visit to this place (Eureka) and we
had the pleasure of listening to a short address
from you and you will doubtley remember
judging from the manifestations made on that evening
that there was quite a number of Filmore men
at this place. Now as the American party have
no candidate in the field and as yourself and
the Hon. S. A. Douglass are the two great chiefs
of the two great political parties we would
like to know your views concerning the principles 
upon which the American party is founded.
Report tells us that you were once a know-nothing 
and that you left the party because that
questions had arisen that demanded more amediate 
attention, and that whenever the time should 
come when the principles of the American party
should become the questions then you would
again be found at your post. Many however
are disposed to doubt this. Please set their



minds easy by an explanation by a return of mail.
If you have any of Mr. Douglass' speeches upon
the influence of foreign emigraetion, and can 
send one to me I Shall be very thankful to you
and hope to be able to do you some good by that means.
I do not ask a a lengthy reply as I presume
you time is pretty much all occupied with your
business: but, nevertheless shall not object to it:
but I will be content with a brief, concise,
view of the matter.  Or if you have made any
speeches upon the topics I named and have them
in print and will send them they will answer
every purpose.
Yours with much respect and esteem
E. W. Dickinson
Eureka
Ill
Hon. Abram Lincoln
Springfield
Ill.

Hon. Abram Lincoln
Springfield.
Illinois.

[*[July 26, 1858]*]
E. W. Dickinson
Eureka

[*1059*]

Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.