Abraham Lincoln Grows a Beard

Honest Abe Runs for President

Abraham Lincoln hit the campaign trail in 1860 with energy and purpose. He faced a deeply divided nation. Slavery, states’ rights, and the future of the Union hung in the balance. His speeches were clear and direct. He promised to halt slavery’s expansion but reassured the South he would not abolish it. His humble roots and honest reputation won him supporters. Rail-splitter imagery and plainspoken charm made him relatable. Crowds gathered to hear him, eager for change. Newspapers spread his words far and wide. As Election Day neared, excitement and tension grew.

He needed one final push perhaps.

“I like you, but your face is too skinny”

On October 15th, 1860 a young, 11-year-old named Grace Bedell (Westfield, NY) wrote to the president.

“Hon A B Lincoln
Dear Sir –

My father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr. Hamlin’s. I am a little girl only eleven years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as large as I am if so give them my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot answer this letter.

I have got 4 brother’s and part of them will vote for you any way and if you will let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husband’s to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is a going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to but I will try and get every one to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty.

I have got a little baby sister she is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter direct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chatauque County New York.

I must not write any more answer this letter right off
Good bye
Grace Bedell”

Lincoln’s Response

The future president was quick to write back.

Miss. Grace Bedell
“My dear little Miss.

Your very agreeable letter of the 15th. is received.

I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters. I have three sons — one seventeen, one nine, and one seven, years of age. They, with their mother, constitute my whole family.

As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affection if I were to begin it now? Your very sincere well-wisher

A. Lincoln”

It Worked!

February 16th, 1861 – On his way to the White House

From the the Fremont Weekly Journal
Fremont, Ohio
Fri, Feb 22, 1861
Page 2

At Westfield (N.Y.) there was a great gathering. A large banner, with the inscription “Welcome to the Empire State,” floated over the heads of the crowd. Mr. Lincoln spoke from the platform of the car and made some highly complimentary allusions to the State he had just entered. At the close of his speech he said:

“During the campaign last Fall I received a letter from this place—and a very pretty letter it was, too. It was written by a young girl whose name, if I remember rightly, was Bedell. Among many other things in that letter was a recommendation that I should let my whiskers grow, and it would improve my appearance. It was partly from that suggestion that I have done so. If that young lady is in this crowd I should very much like to see her.”

An exceedingly pretty young girl, probably about fourteen or fifteen years old, was at once pointed out by several of the bystanders, and a passage was soon cleared for her. She came forward, modestly. Mr. Lincoln stepped down from the car, advanced to meet her, and gave her a couple of hearty kisses. A tremendous shout went up from the crowd, the President-elect regained the cars, which immediately moved away, leaving the crowd jubilant, and Miss Bedell rosy with delight at the unexpected honor.

What do you think? Are you a “Beard or No Beard” fan?

Thank you to listener Chris for another idea of what young Grace could have suggested.

I’m not going to lie, Abe sort of rocks this look.