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Knowlton, Henry C. (1838-1926) to [Harlow Higinbotham]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05244 Author/Creator: Knowlton, Henry C. (1838-1926) Place Written: Joliet, Illinois Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 September 1862 Pagination: 3 p. ; 24.7 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Addressed only to "Dear Friend." Discusses mutual acquaintances and personal matters. His friend is in Clarksburg, West Virginia and he asks him "What sort of a place is Clarksburg?...Have you seen any guerillas yet!" Discusses the Emancipation Proclamation, "What do you think of Lincoln's 'emancipation proclamation?' To use Artemas Ward's elegant phraseology I think that it is 'hunky' every way." Mentions Stephen Douglas and states "I wish Douglas had lived, but he would rather be dead, than living, to see the degeneracy of some of his professed disciples." On letterhead of the Michigan Central Rail Road Company. Recipient's name is from an earlier description.

Stephen Arnold Douglas was an Illinois politician and the Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860. He lost to the Republican Party's candidate, Abraham Lincoln.

[Excerpt]
What do you think of Lincoln's 'emancipation proclamation'? To use Artemus Ward's elegant phraseology I think that it is 'hunky' every way.
His last proclamation has the approval of Stephen A. Douglas or rather Douglas approved a similar proclamation issued by Jackson. I wish Douglas had lived, but he would rather be dead, than living, to see the degeneracy of some of his professed disciples.

Knowlton, Henry C., 1838-1926
Higinbotham, Harlow, fl. 1862

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