Streator May 30–1876

Hon. Fred Douglas,

My Dear Sir-

I was the recipient, a few days ago, of a manuscript – containing the Oration delivered by yourself at the unveiling of the Monument, erected by the Colored people to our martyred Chief, A. LincolnLincoln, Abraham

Whig turned Republican Illinois politician Abraham Lincoln (1809-65) was sworn in as the sixteenth president of the United States on 4 March 1861. Douglass met Lincoln at the White House in 1863 and was charmed by the president's earnest political consideration of emancipation. A year later Lincoln granted Douglass's request that his son Charles be discharged from the Army because of illness. Douglass met in private with Lincoln on 19 August 1864, when they discussed stepping up efforts to recruit slaves to the Union's cause. Lincoln was elected to a second term in November 1864, and Douglass attended his inauguration festivities. James M. McPherson, Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution (New York, 1990), 109, 134-35, 139; Phillip Shaw Paludan, The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln (Lawrence, Kans., 1994), 4-5, 15-16, 183, 285-87; McFeely, Frederick Douglass, 229-35. .

My husband & myself carefully perused it, & there it was forwarded, to our mutual friends the Parkers & Plumbs. After discussing the document at length, it was unanimously pronounced good. & a "vote of Thanks" was awarded to the " Noble Douglas," for remembering his friends "away out West"

Accept if you please

my personal thanks for your kind remembrance of us—we appreciate it & hope we may have the pleasure of serving you some hot coffee, some fine evening next Winter before listening to a lecture in our pleasant little hall in Streator.

By the way, one good turn deserves another, the adage reads,– Have you succeeded in finding the picture of A. Lincoln, you and Mr. Benson were talking of when here?

Our mutual friend F. M. Bird sends us papers announcing his flight– to the Democratic side & gives some very good reasons for doing so, but–isn't–the Republic in a deplorable condition, if it's only salvation is through, the "United Democratic Party?" However, I'm not a strong minded woman & will refrain from comments, lest I might display my ignorance, & besides that, the love my husband & myself bear for Mr. Bird, is of that character, that would not allow us to criticise any act of his, knowing him to be the embodiment of purity and excellence & if he should chance to err, it would come from the head & not the heart.

We are much pleased to hear from you at any and all times.

Very respectfully yours &c

Mrs. S. H. BensonBenson, Mrs. S.H.

Streator

Ill.