This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 Excerpt: ...first inaugural address as President, Lincoln in the following words declared his firm faith in the great American principle, that the will of the majority must rule: "A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people. Whoever rejects it does of necessity fly to anarchy or to despotism. Unanimity is impossible. The rule of a minority, as a permanent arrangement is wholly inadmissible; so that, rejecting the majority principle, anarchy or despotism in some form is all that is left." Lincoln had no patience with the petty opposition of small factions after a decision had been reached by the free vote of a majority. Still less did he believe in violent opposition to the will of the majority. Speaking to a society of young men in a Western city he said: .There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law." He had learned from the rude pioneering experiences of his youth the evils and dangers of lawlessness. When but twenty-eight years old he said, with the conviction of one who knew well whereof he spoke: "Let reverence for the law be breathed by every American mother to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap; let it be taught in the schools, in seminaries, in colleges; let it be written in primers; spelling books and almanacs; let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And in short let it become the political religion of the nation.... " One of the great principles of conduct which Lincoln required of himself and of others was that of strict honesty. While yet an unknown lawyer he earned for himself the ti...