...His 1855 letter to Joshua Speed reveals his disgust for slavery and other forms of discrimination: "As a nation, we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal' We now practically read it 'all men are created equal, except negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get...

.... 2 , pp. 40 3-4. 54. Ibid., vol. 3, p. 304; vol. 2, p. 32 3. Lincoln's letter to Speed continues: "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read...and foreigners, and catholics' When it comes to this 1 should prefer emigrating to some coun try where they make no pretence of loving liberty — to Russia,...

...rights of immigrants to vote and hold office. Abraham Lincoln sized up the Know-Nothings accurately in 1855: "As a nation we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal.' We now read it, 'all men are created equal except Negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it...

...Charles Seward and Abraham Lincoln abandoned their sinking ship for the newly formed Republican Party. "As a nation, we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal,'" said Lincoln. "Now we practically read it as 'all men are created equal, except negroes.' When the...

...created equal, except negroes.'" And if the anti-Irish and anti-Catholic bigots had their way, it would "read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.'" Were the American people to follow that path, Lincoln continued, "I should prefer emigrating to some...

...of degrading classes of white people? Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid. As a nation we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal.' We now practically read it 'all men are created equal, except negroes.' When the Know-nothings get...

...favor of degrading classes of white peopk? Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid. As a nation, we began by declaring that "all men are created equal." We now practically read it "all men are created equal, except Negroes." When the Know-Nothings get...