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Re: Attn. Sam Wheeler
In Response To: Attn. Sam Wheeler ()

Hi George,

Thanks for passing that along, I had not seen it. I used to work for that project and think very highly of John Lupton, though I don't think he rides skateboards much anymore!

What do I think of the document? Well, I think it falls in line with Lincoln's first inaugural address he delivered 12 days earlier, particularly this passage:

"This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember, or overthrow it. I can not be ignorant of the fact that many worthy, and patriotic citizens are desirous of having the national constitution amended. While I make no recommendation of amendments, I fully recognize the rightful authority of the people over the whole subject, to be exercised in either of the modes prescribed in the instrument itself; and I should, under existing circumstances, favor, rather than oppose, a fair oppertunity being afforded the people to act upon it.

I will venture to add that, to me, the convention mode seems preferable, in that it allows amendments to originate with the people themselves, instead of only permitting them to take, or reject, propositions, originated by others, not especially chosen for the purpose, and which might not be precisely such, as they would wish to either accept or refuse. I understand a proposed amendment to the Constitution---which amendment, however, I have not seen, has passed Congress, to the effect that the federal government, shall never interfere with the domestic institutions of the States, including that of persons held to service. To avoid misconstruction of what I have said, I depart from my purpose not to speak of particular amendments, so far as to say that, holding such a provision to now be implied constitutional law, I have no objection to its being made express, and irrevocable."

Here is a link to the full speech:

http://www.lincolnstudies.com/documents/03041861.html

Best,
Sam.

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Crisis at Fort Sumter Website!
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Thanks Jamie. *NM*