George, I remember well that series of postings on the board since I was the one who did much of the posting. Without digging through my notes to find out who I contaced, I will say that I contacted the three or four most highly respected archival sources of Lincoln quotes, speeches and published works and not one of them was familiar with that quote. My conclusion, after bringing it before such well known authorities, was that Lincoln never said it - UNLESS, it was said quite informally in a face-to-face conversation (not a speech) and recalled by the recipient of the statement at some later date. I still maintain, it was never said.

If you can find a way to dig back about three years in board archives, you will find that posting thread.

Dennis.