He Knew Lincoln

[David Lockmiller]

The book consists of four parts, each one showing a different aspect of Lincoln's personality and character that made his friends and companions treasure his memory.

It's available on Internet Archives
https://archive.org/details/heknewlincoln00tarbrich

At page 77, there is following story reported:

“Don’t worry, Billy, about that,” he says, “that don’t make no difference. I ain’t saying I don’t want to go to the United States Senate – I do. Always have. When I quit politics in ’49, and made up my mind I wa’n’t goin’ to have another chance to go to Congress or be anybody, I was miserable. But that’s all over. What’s important now in this country is makin’ people feel that slavery is wrong, that the South is bent on spreadin’ it and that we have got to stop ‘em. Slavery is wrong, Billy, if it ain’t wrong nuthin’ is. We have to fight against its spreadin’, and its goin’ to be a durable struggle. It don’t make no difference who gits office or who don’t. All that’s important is keepin’ on fightn’. Don’t worry if I ain’t elected. The fight’s goin’ on.”

I do not believe that Lincoln would have made the italicized statement above. Lincoln had just run for the Senate in order to have a voice in government affairs. And, four years later, Lincoln sought the office of President.