Nicholas Biddle Quotes
Let him say not one single word about his principles, or his creed—let him say nothing—promise nothing. Let no Committee or Convention—no town meeting ever extract from him a single word, about what he thinks now, or what he will do hereafter. Let the use of pen and ink be wholly forbidden as if he were a mad poet in Bedlam.
Biddle articulated the strategy of William Henry Harrison's presidential campaign of 1840:
Nicholas Biddle, 1786-1844, Head of the Bank of the United States, Advice to Whig leaders, 1840
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Lincoln took the advice of avoiding pledges or promises. However, he did actively campaign.
Lincoln idealist though he was, was also a very pragmatic politician. His winning Presidential strategy was to keep the party together, and not antagonize local factions and so avoid making enemies. In the end, he was the second choice for many delegates and ended up with the victory.
His older brother was running for Consul—the highest elected office of the Roman Empire. The Handbook, was his advice to his brother as to how to conduct his campaign.
Nicholas Biddle was an American financier who served as the third and last president of the Second Bank of the United States (chartered 1816–1836). He also served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He is best known for his role in the Bank War.
