The death of Nelson Mandela

[RJNorton]

"elder-stalk squirts charged with rose water,"

Good memory, Liz. That phrase was in a letter to a person named Cuthbert Bullitt in New Orleans. It was written July 28, 1862. The final paragraphs of Lincoln's letter:

"If they will not do this, if they prefer to hazard all for the sake of destroying the government, it is for them to consider whether it is probable I will surrender the government to save them from losing all. If they decline what I suggest, you scarcely need to ask what I will do.

What would you do in my position? Would you drop the war where it is? Or, would you prosecute it in future, with elder-stalk squirts, charged with rose water? Would you deal lighter blows rather than heavier ones? Would you give up the contest, leaving any available means unapplied.

I am in no boastful mood. I shall not do more than I can, and I shall do all I can to save the government, which is my sworn duty as well as my personal inclination. I shall do nothing in malice. What I deal with is too vast for malicious dealing."

Yours very truly

A. LINCOLN