"NEVER REGRET WHAT YOU DON'T WRITE."
A simple remark one of the party might make would remind Mr. Lincoln of an apropos story.
Secretary of the Treasury Chase happened to remark, "Oh, I am so sorry that I did not write a letter to Mr. So-and-so before I left home!"
President Lincoln promptly responded:
"Chase, never regret what you don't write; it is what you do write that you are often called upon to feel sorry for."