1862

"Many Northerners worried that Lincoln did not have the skills to lead the nation in this terrible time:
'He's too backwoods.'
'He's unpresidential.'
'He tells too many silly jokes.'
'He's had too little experience in government.'

"If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end."