Debates with John Calhoun and Alfred W. Cavarly in Springfield, Illinois, 1844

[Amy L.]

On the content of the debate - in a letter to James Harvey Oct., 1860.

Lincoln wrote:
"My dear Sir: To comply with your request to furnish extracts from my tariff speeches is simply impossible, because none of those speeches were published. It was not fashionable here in those days to report one's public speeches. In 1844 I was on the Clay electoral ticket in this State (i.e., Illinois) and, to the best of my ability, sustained, together, the tariff of 1842 and the tariff plank of the Clay platform.  ...The papers show that I was one of a committee which reported, among others, a resolution in these words:

" 'That we are in favor of an adequate revenue on duties from imports so levied as to afford ample protection to American industry.'

"But, after all, was it really any more than the tariff plank of our present platform? And does not my acceptance pledge me to that? And am I at liberty to do more, if I were inclined?"

Lincoln was so masterful at not giving an answer.

Thank you for the clarification, Roger. I've been confused repeatedly by the name 'John Calhoun,' who was also someone active in Chicago politics.