Lincoln writes to former Ohio congressman Joshua R. Giddings, who wrote to congratulate Lincoln on becoming the Republican Party's presidential candidate. Giddings predicted that Lincoln would succeed as long as he avoided "corrupting influences." Lincoln replies, "I am not wanting in the purpose, though I may fail in the strength, to maintain my freedom from bad influences. Your letter comes to my aid in this point, most opportunely. May the Almighty grant that the cause of truth, justice, and humanity, shall in no wise suffer at my hands." Joshua R. Giddings to Abraham Lincoln, 19 May 1860, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Joshua R. Giddings, 21 May 1860, CW, 4:51-52.