“All the ladies like whiskers”

From Bill Bennett's American Patriot's Almanac:

On October 15, 1860, young Grace Bedell of Westfield, New York, wrote the Republican nominee for president, a clean-shaven man, with some advice:

Dear Sir,
My father has just [come] home from the fair and brought home your picture. . . . 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. . . . I must not write any more answer this letter right off 
Good bye. 
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 silly affectation if I were to begin it now?
Your very sincere well wisher
A. Lincoln

Despite his answer, Lincoln began growing a beard. The next year, on his way to the White House, he stopped in Westfield, gave Grace a kiss, and thanked her for her advice.

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