This quote should be removed as it is fraudulent. If it is not then it should be no problem to present and authenticate Lincoln's letter to Col. Elkins. Where is this letter that a book written 60 years after the fact cites? The fact of the matter is Lincoln was a very well paid attorney who represented the biggest business of his time, the railroads. He dedicated his political career to a central bank and the "internal improvements" aka taxpayer subsidies to politically connected big business. This quote would have been completely out of character for him and everything he stood for.