In the House chambers, Lincoln argues for federal government involvement in relation to "internal improvements." Lincoln remarks, "The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, is not whether it have any evil in it; but whether it have more of evil, than of good. There are few things wholly evil, or wholly good. Almost every thing, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgment of the preponderance between them is continually demanded." United States Congress, Appendix to the Congressional Globe (Washington, DC: Blair & Rives, 1848), 709-711; Speech in United States House of Representatives on Internal Improvements, 20 June 1848, CW, 1:480-90.

Lincoln franks envelope of campaign documents to James Berdan of Jacksonville. IaDaM—Original.