I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes
me to tremble for the safety of my country . . . . corporations have been
enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the
money power* of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working
upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few
hands and the Republic is destroyed.

President Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 21, 1864, letter to Col. William F. Elkins
The Lincoln Encyclopedia, Archer H. Shaw (Macmillan, 1950, NY)

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*Money Power = The Federal Reserve/Ben Bernanke?