[Untitled], December 8, 1864
[Untitled]
To his Excellency Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America :
Sir: We, the workingmen ofSouth London, in public meeting assembled, present our most respectful but hearty congratulations on your re-election to the presidential chair,
We rejoice, in the manner in which that re-election was conducted, as well as its results, proving, as it has done, that the possession of lawful political power by the masses of the people does not tend to lawlessness, even when exercised under extremely trying circumstances.
We regard the action of the decisive majority which has again placed you in power as another proof that the great nation over which you preside is pledged to connect the restoration of the Union with freedom for the negro, and with his being ultimately placed before the law on a perfect equality with the white man.
We lament the great suffering caused by this war, as we abhor the treachery by which it was commenced, and we earnestly pray that peace may be established, not by such unholy compromise as would cause a speedy renewal of the war, but a peace which, being righteous, will also be permanent.
We deprecate the unjust and unkind remarks of a portion of our press and people in reference to yourself and the great cause you represent, but these must no more be regarded as a fair representation of the opinion of Great Britian than the statements of some papers and public men in America respecting this country are to be taken as a fair representation of the opinion of America.
In conclusion, we beg to assure you of our earnest prayer, that Almighty God may long preserve your life, and give you all needful help in the important position you have been called to occupy at this important crisis, and hoping that America will soon be re-united and free, and that your nation and our own may ever be found in perfect agreement for the good of the world and the glory of God, we bid you farewell.
Signed on behalf of, and at the unanimous request of the meeting.