TLS as president, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 7 x 8.75, personal letterhead, January 14, 1909. Letter to the Hon. Frederick Landis, who represented Indiana in Congress from 1903 to 1907. In full: "Yours is just about as nice a letter as I have received—and I have received very many. Indeed I wish you were in Congress. I feel just as you do about the division of powers and the like. I do not care a rap whether a man is a President, a Senator, or a Congressman, as such. What I care for is that he shall be a thoroly straight, decent, and fearless representative of the people. This country was with Lincoln when as a private citizen he fought as hard as he knew how two Presidents in succession; and this county was with Lincoln when for four years, as President, he fought the representatives of these same ex-Presidents when they were in opposition. The people were not with him because he was President in one case, or because he was against the President in the other. They were with him because he was right both times." In fine condition.
This letter is extraordinary in its specific, admiring references to Abraham Lincoln for having served justice as both a private citizen and politician. Presidential letters mentioning any previous president—let alone Lincoln—are scarce and extremely desirable. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
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