LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865). Speech of Mr. Lincoln, at a Political Discussion, in the Hall of the House of Representatives, December [1839, at Springfield, Illinois]. Springfield, Illinois, 1839.

8vo. Disbound; outer margin shaved, affecting letters, including title; some soiling; in chemise.

FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST SEPARATELY PUBLISHED LINCOLN SPEECH.

In December 1839, Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech in Springfield, Illinois, criticizing the Sub-Treasury system proposed by the Democrats. Lincoln argued that there had been "a total change in the administration of the Government" over the past decade, which he believed was "for the worse". He claimed that a "new and corrupt system of tactics" had been introduced into the national administration, culminating in the Sub-Treasury scheme. Lincoln viewed the Sub-Treasury as the "consummation and perfection of this whole scheme of fraud and corruption" which he supported with "an array of documentary evidence." Lincoln asserted that "Passion has helped us; but can do so no more. It will in future be our enemy. Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason, must furnish all the materials for our future support and defence."

RARE: According to RBH, only one copy has appeared at auction since 1920, at Henkels, then catalogued as "excessively rare". Monaghan 2.

Provenance:

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California

Property from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation