Your letter covering the newspaper slips was received last night. The
subject of that letter is exceedingly painful to me, and I cannot but
think there is some mistake in your impression of the motives of the old
men. I suppose I am now one of the old men; and I declare on my veracity,
which I think is good with you, that nothing could afford me more
satisfaction than to learn that you and others of my young friends at
home were doing battle in the contest and endearing themselves to the
people and taking a stand far above any I have ever been able to reach in
their admiration. I cannot conceive that other men feel differently. Of
course I cannot demonstrate what I say; but I was young once, and I am
sure I was never ungenerously thrust back. I hardly know what to say. The
way for a young man to rise is to improve himself every way he can, never
suspecting that anybody wishes to hinder him. Allow me to assure you that
suspicion and jealousy never did help any man in any situation. There may
sometimes be ungenerous attempts to keep a young man down; and they will
succeed, too, if he allows his mind to be diverted from its true channel
to brood over the attempted injury. Cast about and see if this feeling
has not injured every person you have ever known to fall into it.

Now, in what I have said I am sure you will suspect nothing but sincere
friendship. I would save you from a fatal error. You have been a studious
young man. You are far better informed on almost all subjects than I ever
have been. You cannot fail in any laudable object unless you allow your
mind to be improperly directed. I have some the advantage of you in the
world's experience, merely by being older; and it is this that induces me
to advise. You still seem to be a little mistaken about the Congressional
Globe and Appendix. They contain all of the speeches that are published
in any way. My speech and Dayton's speech which you say you got in
pamphlet form are both word for word in the Appendix. I repeat again, all
are there.