abraham lincoln volume ii by william h. herndon

8/2/2019 Abraham Lincoln Volume II by William H. Herndon

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ABRAHAMLINCOLN

TheTrueStoryofaGreatLife

ByWilliamH.HerndonandJesseW.Weik

WithAnIntroductionByHoraceWhite

InTwoVolumesVol.II

1896

THELIFEOFLINCOLN.

CHAPTERI.

ALAWofficeisadull,dryplacesofaraspleasurableorinterestingincidentsareconcerned.Ifoneisinsearchofstoriesoffraud,deceit,cruelty,brokenpromises,blastedhomes,thereisnobetterplacetolearnthemthanalawoffice.Buttothemajorityofpersonsthesepainfulrecitalsareanythingbutattractive,anditiswell

perhapsthatitshouldbeso.Intheoffice,asinthecourtroom,Lincoln,whendiscussinganypoint,wasneverarbitraryorinsinuating.Hewasdeferential,cool,patient,andrespectful.Whenhereachedtheoffice,aboutnineo'clockinthemorning,thefirstthinghedidwastopickupanewspaper,spreadhimselfoutonanoldsofa,onelegonachair,andreadaloud,muchtomydiscomfort.SingularlyenoughLincolnneverreadanyotherwaybutaloud.Thishabitusedtoannoymealmostbeyondthepointofendurance.Ionceaskedhimwhyhedidso.Thiswashisexplanation:"WhenIreadaloudtwosensescatchtheidea:first,IseewhatIread;second,Ihearit,andthereforeIcanrememberitbetter."Heneverstudiedlawbooksunlessacasewasonhandforconsideration--neverfollowedupthedecisionsofthesupremecourts,asotherlawyersdid.Itseemedasifhedependedforhiseffectivenessin

managingalawsuitentirelyonthestimulusandinspirationofthefinalhour.Hepaidbutlittleattentiontothefeesandmoneymattersofthefirm--usuallyleavingallsuchtome.Heneverenteredanitemintheaccountbook.Ifanyonepaidmoneytohimwhichbelongedtothefirm,onarrivingattheofficehedivideditwithme.IfIwasnotthere,hewouldwrapupmyshareinapieceofpaperandplaceitinmydrawer--markingitwithapencil,"CaseofRoevs.Doe.--Herndon'shalf."

Onmanytopicshewasnotagoodconversationalist,becausehefeltthathewasnotlearnedenough.Neitherwasheagoodlistener.Puttingitalittlestrongly,hewasoftennotevenpolite.Ifpresentwithothers,orparticipatinginaconversation,hewasratherabrupt,andin

hisanxietytosaysomethingaptortoillustratethesubjectunderdiscussion,wouldburstinwithastory.InourofficeIhaveknownhimtoconsumethewholeforenoonrelatingstories.Ifamancametoseehimforthepurposeoffindingoutsomethingwhichhedidnotcaretolethimknowandatthesametimedidnotwanttorefusehim,hewasveryadroit.InsuchcasesLincolnwoulddomostofthetalking,swingingaroundwhathesuspectedwasthevitalpoint,butnevernearingit,interlardinghisanswerswithaseeminglyendlesssupplyofstoriesandjokes.Theinterviewbeingbothinterestingandpleasant,themanwoulddepartingoodhumor,believinghehadaccomplishedhismission.After


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hehadwalkedawayafewsquaresandhadcooledoff,thequestionwouldcomeup,"Well,whatdidIfindout?"BlowingawaythefrothofLincoln'shumorousnarrativeshewouldfindnothingsubstantialleft.

"Asheenteredthetrial,"relatesoneofhiscolleaguesatthebar,*"wheremostlawyerswouldobjecthewouldsayhe'reckoned'itwouldbefairtoletthisin,orthat;andsometimes,whenhisadversarycouldnotquiteprovewhatLincolnknewtobethetruth,he'reckoned'itwouldbefairtoadmitthetruthtobeso-and-so.Whenhedidobjecttothecourt,andwhenheheardhisobjectionsanswered,hewouldoftensay,'Well,IreckonImustbewrong.'Now,aboutthetimehehadpractisedthisthree-fourthsthroughthecase,ifhisadversarydidn'tunderstandhim,hewouldwakeupinafewminuteslearningthathehadfearedtheGreekstoolate,andfindhimselfbeaten.Hewaswiseasaserpentinthetrialofacause,butIhavehadtoomanyscaresfromhisblowstocertifythathewasharmlessasadove.Whenthewholethingwasunravelled,theadversarywouldbegintoseethatwhathewassoblandlygivingawaywassimplywhathecouldn'tgetandkeep.Bygivingawaysixpointsandcarryingtheseventhhecarriedhiscase,andthewholecasehangingontheseventh,hetradedawayeverythingwhichwouldgivehimtheleastaidincarryingthat.AnymanwhotookLincolnforasimple-mindedmanwouldverysoonwakeupwithhisbackinaditch."

*LeonardSwett.

Lincoln'srestlessambitionfounditsgratificationonlyinthefieldofpolitics.Heusedthelawmerelyasastepping-stonetowhatheconsideredamoreattractiveconditioninthepoliticalworld.Intheallurementsheldoutbythelatterheseemedtobehappy.NothinginLincoln'slifehasprovokedmorediscussionthanthequestionofhisabilityasalawyer.Ifeelwarrantedinsayingthathewasatthesametimeaverygreatandaveryinsignificantlawyer.JudgeDavidDavis,inhiseulogyonLincolnatIndianapolis,deliveredatthemeetingofthebarthereinMay,1865,saidthis:"Inalltheelementsthatconstitutedalawyerhehadfewequals.Hewasgreatatnisipriusandbeforeanappellatetribunal.Heseizedthestrongpointsofacauseandpresentedthemwithclearnessandgreatcompactness.Hismindwaslogicaland

direct,andhedidnotindulgeinextraneousdiscussion.Generalitiesandplatitudeshadnocharmforhim.Anunfailingveinofhumorneverdesertedhim,andhewasabletoclaimtheattentionofcourtandjurywhenthecausewasmostuninterestingbytheappropriatenessofhisanecdotes.Hispowerofcomparisonwaslarge,andherarelyfailedinalegaldiscussiontousethatmodeofreasoning.Theframeworkofhismentalandmoralbeingwashonesty,andawrongcasewaspoorlydefendedbyhim.Theabilitywhichsomeeminentlawyerspossessofexplainingawaythebadpointsofacausebyingenioussophistrywasdeniedhim.Inordertobringintofullactivityhisgreatpowersitwasnecessarythatheshouldbeconvincedoftherightandjusticeofthematterwhichheadvocated.Whensoconvinced,whetherthecausewasgreatorsmallhewasusuallysuccessful."*

*Henevertookadvantageofaman'slowcharactertoprejudicethejury.Mr.Lincolnthoughthisdutytohisclientextendedtowhatwashonorableandhigh-minded,justandnoble--nothingfurther.Hencethemeanestmanatthebaralwayspaidgreatdeferenceandrespecttohim.--DavidDavis,Sept.10,1866,MS.

ThisstatementofJudgeDavisingeneraliscorrect,butinsomeparticularsisfaulty.ItwasintendedasaeulogyonLincoln,andas


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suchwouldnotadmitofasmanylimitationsandmodificationsasifspokenunderothercircumstances.In1866JudgeDavissaidinastatementmadetomeinhishomeatBloomington,whichIstillhave,"Mr.Lincolnhadnomanagingfacultynororganizingpower;henceachildcouldconformtothesimpleandtechnicalrules,themeansandthemodesofgettingatjustice,betterthanhe.Thelawhasitsownrules,andastudentcouldgetatthemorkeepwiththembetterthanLincoln.Sometimeshewasforcedtostudytheseifhecouldnotgettherubbishofacaseremoved.Butallthewaythroughhislackofmethodandorganizingabilitywasclearlyapparent."TheideathatMr.Lincolnwasagreatlawyerinthehighercourtsandagoodnisipriuslawyer,andyetthatachildorstudentcouldmanageacaseincourtbetterthanhe,seemsstrangelyinconsistent,butthefactsofhislifeasalawyerwillreconcilethisandotherapparentcontradictions.

IwasnotonlyassociatedwithMr.LincolninSpringfield,butwasfrequentlyonthecircuitwithhim,butofcoursenotsomuchasJudgeDavis,whoheldthecourt,andwhomLincolnfollowedaroundonthecircuitforatleastsixmonthsoutoftheyear.IeasilyrealizedthatLincolnwasstrikinglydeficientinthetechnicalrulesofthelaw.Althoughhewasconstantlyremindingyounglegalaspirantstostudyand"work,work,"yetIdoubtifheeverreadasingleelementarylawbookthroughinhislife.Infact,Imaytruthfullysay,Ineverknewhimtoreadthroughalawbookofanykind.Practically,heknewnothingofthe

rulesofevidence,ofpleading,orpractice,aslaiddowninthetext-books,andseemedtocarenothingaboutthem.Hehadakeensenseofjustice,andstruggledforit,throwingasideforms,methods,andrules,untilitappearedpureasarayoflightflashingthroughafog-bank.Hewasnotageneralreaderinanyfieldofknowledge,butwhenhehadoccasiontolearnorinvestigateanysubjecthewasthoroughandindefatigableinhissearch.Henotonlywenttotherootofaquestion,butduguptheroot,andseparatedandanalyzedeveryfibreofit.Hewasineveryrespectacaselawyer,nevercramminghimselfonanyquestiontillhehadacaseinwhichthequestionwasinvolved.Hethoughtslowlyandactedslowly;hemustneedshavetimetoanalyzeallthefactsinacaseandwindthemintoaconnectedstory.Ihaveseenhimlosecasesoftheplainestjustice,whichthemostinexperienced

memberofthebarwouldhavegainedwithouteffort.Twothingswereessentialtohissuccessinmanagingacase.Onewastime;theotherafeelingofconfidenceinthejusticeofthecauseherepresented.Heusedtosay,"IfIcanfreethiscasefromtechnicalitiesandgetitproperlyswungtothejury,I'llwinit."Butifeitheroftheseessentialswerelacking,hewastheweakestmanatthebar.HewasgreatestinmyopinionasalawyerintheSupremeCourtofIllinois.Therethecaseswereneverhurried.Theattorneysgenerallypreparedtheircasesintheformofbriefs,andthemovementsofthecourtandcounselweresoslowthatnooneneedbecaughtbysurprise.IwaswithLincolnonceandlistenedtoanoralargumentbyhiminwhichherehearsedanextendedhistoryofthelaw.Itwasacarefullypreparedandmasterlydiscourse,but,asIthought,entirelyuseless.Afterhe

wasthroughandwewerewalkinghomeIaskedhimwhyhewentsofarbackinthehistoryofthelaw.Ipresumedthecourtknewenoughhistory."That'swhereyou'remistaken,"washisinstantrejoinder."Idarednottrustthecaseonthepresumptionthatthecourtknowseverything--infactIargueditonthepresumptionthatthecourtdidn'tknowanything,"astatementwhich,whenonereviewsthedecisionofourappellatecourts,isnotsoextravagantasonewouldatfirstsuppose.

IusedtogrowrestlessatLincoln'sslowmovementsandspeechesincourt."Speakwithmorevim,"Iwouldfrequentlysay,"andarousethe


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jury--talkfasterandkeepthemawake."Inanswertosuchasuggestionheonedaymadeuseofthisillustration:"Givemeyourlittlepen-knife,withitsshortblade,andhandmethatoldjack-knife,lyingonthetable."Openingthebladeofthepen-knifehesaid:"Yousee,thisbladeatthepointtravelsrapidly,butonlythroughasmallportionofspacetillitstops;whilethelongbladeofthejack-knifemovesnofasterbutthroughamuchgreaterspacethanthesmallone.Justsowiththelong,laboredmovementsofmymind.Imaynotemitideasasrapidlyasothers,becauseIamcompelledbynaturetospeakslowly,butwhenIdothrowoffathoughtitseemstome,thoughitcomeswithsomeeffort,ithasforceenoughtocutitsownwayandtravelagreaterdistance."Thiswassaidtomewhenwewerealoneinourofficesimplyforillustration.Itwasnotsaidboastingly.

AsaspecimenofLincoln'smethodofreasoningIinsertherethebriefornotesofanargumentusedbyhiminalawsuitaslateas1858.Icopyfromtheoriginal:

"Legislationandadjudicationmustfollowandconformtotheprogressofsociety.

"Theprogressofsocietynowbeginstoproducecasesofthetransferfordebtsoftheentirepropertyofrailroadcorporations;andtoenabletransfereestouseandenjoythetransferredpropertylegislationand

adjudicationbegintobenecessary."Shallthisclassoflegislationjustnowbeginningwithusbegeneralorspecial?

"SectionTenofourConstitutionrequiresthatitshouldbegeneral,ifpossible,(ReadtheSection.)

"Speciallegislationalwaystrenchesuponthejudicialdepartment;andinsofarviolatesSectionTwooftheConstitution.(Readit.)

"Justreasoning--policy--isinfavorofgenerallegislation--elsethelegislaturewillbeloadeddownwiththeinvestigationofsmaller

cases--aworkwhichthecourtsoughttoperform,andcanperformmuchmoreperfectly.HowcantheLegislaturerightlydecidethefactsbetweenP.&B.andS.C.&Co.

"Itissaidthatunderagenerallaw,wheneveraR.R.Co.getstiredofitsdebts,itmaytransferfraudulentlytogetridofthem.Sotheymay--somayindividuals;andwhich--theLegislatureorthecourts--isbestsuitedtotrythequestionoffraudineithercase?

"Itissaid,ifapurchaserhaveacquiredlegalrights,lethimnotberobbedofthem,butifheneedslegislationlethimsubmittojusttermstoobtainit.

"Lethim,saywe,havegenerallawinadvance(guardedineverypossiblewayagainstfraud),sothat,whenheacquiresalegalright,hewillhavenooccasiontowaitforadditionallegislation;andifhehaspracticedfraudletthecourtssodecide."

DavidDavissaidthisofLincoln:"Wheninalawsuithebelievedhisclientwasoppressed,--asintheWrightcase,--hewashurtfulindenunciation.Whenheattackedmeanness,fraud,orvice,hewaspowerful,mercilessinhiscastigation."TheWrightcasereferredtowasasuitbroughtbyLincolnandmyselftocompelapensionagentto


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refundaportionofafeewhichhehadwithheldfromthewidowofarevolutionarysoldier.Theentirepensionwas$400,ofwhichsumtheagenthadretainedone-half.Thepensioner,anoldwomancrippledandbentwithage,camehobblingintotheofficeandtoldherstory.ItstirredLincolnup,andhewalkedovertotheagent'sofficeandmadeademandforareturnofthemoney,butwithoutsuccess.Thensuitwasbrought.ThedaybeforethetrialIhuntedupforLincoln,athisrequest,ahistoryoftheRevolutionaryWar,ofwhichhereadagoodportion.HetoldmetoremainduringthetrialuntilIhadheardhisaddresstothejury."For,"saidhe,"IamgoingtoskinWright,andgetthatmoneyback."Theonlywitnessweintroducedwastheoldlady,whothroughhertearstoldherstory.Inhisspeechtothejury,LincolnrecountedthecausesleadingtotheoutbreakoftheRevolutionarystruggle,andthendrewavividpictureofthehardshipsofValleyForge,describingwithminutenessthemen,barefootedandwithbleedingfeet,creepingovertheice.Ashereachedthatpointinhisspeechwhereinhenarratedthehardenedactionofthedefendantinfleecingtheoldwomanofherpensionhiseyesflashed,andthrowingasidehishandkerchief,whichheheldinhisrighthand,hefairlylaunchedintohim.HisspeechforthenextfiveortenminutesjustifiedthedeclarationofDavis,thathewas"hurtfulindenunciationandmercilessincastigation."Therewasnoruleofcourttorestrainhiminhisargument,andInever,eitheronthestumporonotheroccasionsincourt,sawhimsowroughtup.Beforeheclosed,hedrewanidealpicture

oftheplaintiff'shusband,thedeceasedsoldier,partingwithhiswifeatthethresholdoftheirhome,andkissingtheirlittlebabeinthecradle,ashestartedforthewar."Timerollsby,"hesaid,inconclusion;"theheroesof'76havepassedawayandareencampedontheothershore.Thesoldierhasgonetorest,andnow,crippled,blinded,andbroken,hiswidowcomestoyouandtome,gentlemenofthejury,torightherwrongs.Shewasnotalwaysthus.Shewasonceabeautifulyoungwoman.Herstepwasaselastic,herfaceasfair,andhervoiceassweetasanythatranginthemountainsofoldVirginia.Butnowsheispooranddefenceless.OuthereontheprairiesofIllinois,manyhundredsofmilesawayfromthescenesofherchildhood,sheappealstous,whoenjoytheprivilegesachievedforusbythepatriotsoftheRevolution,foroursympatheticaidandmanlyprotection.AllIaskis,

shallwebefriendher?"Thespeechmadethedesiredimpressiononthejury.Halfofthemwereintears,whilethedefendantsatinthecourtroom,drawnupandwrithingunderthefireofLincoln'sfierceinvective.Thejuryreturnedaverdictinourfavorforeverycentwedemanded.Lincolnwassomuchinterestedintheoldladythathebecamehersuretyforcosts,paidherwayhome,andherhotelbillwhileshewasinSpringfield.Whenthejudgmentwaspaidweremittedtheproceedstoherandmadenochargeforourservices.Lincoln'snotesfortheargumentwereunique:"Nocontract.--Notprofessionalservices.--Unreasonablecharge.--MoneyretainedbyDeftnotgivenbyPl'ff.--RevolutionaryWar.--DescribeValleyForgeprivations.--Ice--Soldier'sbleedingfeet.--Pl'ffshusband.--Soldierleavinghomeforarmy.--SkinDeft.--Close."Itmustnotbeinferred

fromthisthatLincolnwasinthehabitofsloppingover.Heneverhuntedupactsofinjustice,butiftheycametohimhewaseasilyenlisted.In1855hewasattendingcourtatthetownofClinton,Illinois.Fifteenladiesfromaneighboringvillageinthecountyhadbeenindictedfortrespass.TheiroffenceconsistedinsweepingdownononeTanner,thekeeperofasalooninthevillage,andknockingintheheadsofhisbarrels.Lincolnwasnotemployedinthecase,butsatwatchingthetrialasitproceeded.Indefendingtheladiestheirattorneyseemedtoevincealittlewantoftact,andthispromptedoneoftheformertoinviteMr.Lincolntoaddafewwordstothejury,if


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hethoughthecouldaidtheircause.Hewastoogallanttorefuseand,theirattorneyhavingconsented,hemadeuseofthefollowingargument:"InthiscaseIwouldchangetheorderofindictmentandhaveitreadTheStatevs.Mr.Whiskey,insteadofTheStatevs.TheLadies;andtouchingthesetherearethreelaws:Thelawofself-protection;thelawoftheland,orstatutelaw;andthemorallaw,orlawofGod.First,thelawofself-protectionisalawofnecessity,asevincedbyourforefathersincastingtheteaoverboardandassertingtheirrighttothepursuitoflife,liberty,andhappiness.Inthiscaseitistheonlydefensetheladieshave,forTannerneitherfearedGodnorregardedman.Second,thelawoftheland,orstatutelaw,andTannerisrecreanttoboth.Third,themorallaw,orlawofGod,andthisisprobablyalawfortheviolationofwhichthejurycanfixnopunishment."Lincolngavesomeofhisownobservationsontheruinouseffectsofwhiskeyinsociety,anddemandeditsearlysuppression.Afterhehadconcluded,theCourt,withoutawaitingthereturnofthejury,dismissedtheladies,saying:"Ladies,gohome.Iwillrequirenobondofyou,andifanyfineiseverwantedofyou,wewillletyouknow."

AfterLincoln'sdeathafellow-lawyerpaidthistributetohim:*"Hewaswonderfullykind,careful,andjust.Hehadanimmensestockofcommon-sense,andhehadfaithenoughinittotrustitineveryemergency.Mr.Lincoln'sloveofjusticeandfair-playwashispredominatingtrait.IhaveoftenlistenedtohimwhenIthoughthe

wouldcertainlystatehiscaseoutofcourt.Itwasnotinhisnaturetoassumeorattempttobolsterupafalseposition.**Hewouldabandonhiscasefirst.

*JosephGillespie,MS.,Letter,Oct.8,1886.

**"Earlyin1858atDanville,Ill.,ImetLincoln,Swett,andotherswhohadreturnedfromcourtinanadjoiningcounty,andwerediscussingthevariousfeaturesofamurdertrialinwhichLincolnhadmadeavigorousfightfortheprosecutionandSwetthaddefended.Thepleaofthedefensewasinsanity.OninquiringthenameofthedefendantIwassurprisedtolearnthatitwasmyoldfriendIsaacWyant,

formerlyofIndiana.ItoldthemthatIhadbeenWyant'scounselfrequentlyandhaddefendedhimfromalmosteverychargeinthecalendarofcrimes;andthathewasaweakbrotherandcouldbeledintoalmosteverything.AtonceLincolnbegantomanifestgreatinterestinWyant'shistory,andhadtobetoldallabouthim.ThenextdayonthewaytothecourthousehetoldmehehadbeengreatlytroubledoverwhatIrelatedaboutWyant;thathissleephadbeendisturbedbythefearthathehadbeentoobitterandunrelentinginhisprosecutionofhim."Iacted,"hesaid,"onthetheorythathewas'possuminginsanity,andnowIfearIhavebeentoosevereandthatthepoorfellowmaybeinsaneafterall.Ifhecannotrealizethewrongofhis

crime,thenIwaswronginaidingtopunishhim.'"--Hon.JosephE.McDonald,August,1888.StatementtoJ.W.W.

HedidsointhecaseofBuckmasterfortheuseofDedhamvs.BeemsandArthur,inourSupremeCourt,inwhichIhappenedtobeopposedtohim.Anothergentleman,lessfastidious,tookMr.Lincoln'splaceandgainedthecase."

AwidowwhoownedapieceofvaluablelandemployedLincolnandmyselftoexaminethetitletotheproperty,withtheviewofascertaining


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whethercertainallegedtaxlienswerejustornot.Intracingbackthetitlewewerenotsatisfiedwiththedescriptionofthegroundinoneofthedeedsofconveyance.Lincoln,tosettlethematter,tookhissurveyinginstrumentsandsurveyedthegroundhimself.TheresultprovedthatCharlesMatheney,aformergrantor,hadsoldthelandatsomuchperacre,butthatindescribingithehadmadeanerrorandconveyedmorelandthanhereceivedpayfor.Thislanddescendedtoourclient,andLincolnafteracarefulsurveyandcalculation,decidedthatsheoughttopaytoMatheney'sheirsthesumwhichhehadshownwasduethembyreasonoftheerroneousconveyance.Tothissheenteredstrenuousobjections,butwhenassuredthatunlesssheconsentedtothisactofplainjusticewewoulddropthecase,shefinally,thoughwithgreatreluctance,consented.Shepaidtherequiredamount,andthiswedividedupintosmallersumsproportionedtothenumberofheirs.Lincolnhimselfdistributedthesetotheheirs,obtainingareceiptfromeachone.*

*"DearHerndon:

"Onemorning,notlongbeforeLincoln'snomination--ayearperhaps--Iwasinyourofficeandheardthefollowing!Mr.Lincoln,seatedatthebaize-coveredtableinthecenteroftheoffice,listenedattentivelytoamanwhotalkedearnestlyandinalowtone.Afterbeingthusengagedfor

sometimeLincolnatlengthbrokein,andIshallneverforgethisreply.'Yes,'hesaid,'wecandoubtlessgainyourcaseforyou;wecansetawholeneighborhoodatloggerheads;wecandistressawidowedmotherandhersixfatherlesschildrenandtherebygetforyousixhundreddollarstowhichyouseemtohavealegalclaim,butwhichrightfullybelongs,itappearstome,asmuchtothewomanandherchildrenasitdoestoyou.Youmustrememberthatsomethingslegallyrightarenotmorallyright.Weshallnottakeyourcase,butwillgiveyoualittleadviceforwhichwewillchargeyounothing.Youseemtobeasprightly,energeticman;wewouldadviseyoutotryyourhandatmakingsixhundreddollarsinsomeotherway.'

"Yours,

"Lord."

FromundatedMS.,about1866.

WhileMr.Lincolnwasnofinancierandhadnopropensitytoacquireproperty,--noavariceoftheget,--yethehadthecapacityofretention,ortheavariceofthekeep.Heneverspeculatedinlandsoranythingelse.Inthedaysoflandofficesand"choicelotsinagrowingtown"hehadmanyopportunitiestomakesafeventurespromisinggoodreturns,butheneveravailedhimselfofthem.Hisbrotherlawyersweremakinggood

investmentsandluckyturns,someofthem,Davis,forexample,wererapidlybecomingwealthy;butLincolncarednothingforspeculation;infacttherewasnoventursomespiritinhim.Hishabitswereverysimple.Hewasnotfastidiousastofoodordress.Hishatwasbrown,faded,andthenapusuallywornorrubbedoff.Heworeashortcloakandsometimesashawl.Hiscoatandvesthunglooselyonhisgauntframe,andhistrouserswereinvariablytooshort.Onthecircuithecarriedinonehandafadedgreenumbrella,with"A.Lincoln"inlargewhitecottonormuslinletterssewedontheinside.Theknobwasgonefromthehandle,andwhenclosedapieceofcordwasusuallytiedarounditinthemiddle


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tokeepitfromflyingopen.Intheotherhandhecarriedaliteralcarpet-bag,inwhichwerestoredthefewpaperstobeusedincourt,andunderclothingenoughtolasttillhisreturntoSpringfield.Hesleptinalong,coarse,yellowflannelshirt,whichreachedhalf-waybetweenhiskneesandankles.ItprobablywasnotmadetofithisbonyfigureascompletelyasBeauBrummersshirt,andhencewecansomewhatappreciatethesensationofayounglawyerwho,onseeinghimthusarrayedforthefirsttime,observedafterwardsthat,"HewastheungodliestfigureIeversaw."

"Henevercomplainedofthefood,bed,orlodgings.Ifeveryotherfellowgrumbledatthebill-of-farewhichgreetedusatmanyofthedingytaverns,"saysDavidDavis,"Lincolnsaidnothing."HewasoncepresidingasjudgeintheabsenceofDavis,andthecasebeforehimwasanactionbroughtbyamerchantagainstthefatherofaminorsonforasuitofclothessoldtothesonwithoutparentalauthority.Therealquestionwaswhethertheclotheswerenecessary,andsuitedtotheconditionoftheson'slife.Thefatherwasawealthyfarmer;thebillfortheclothingwastwenty-eightdollars.IhappenedincourtjustasLincolnwasrenderinghisdecision.Heruledagainstthepleaofnecessity."Ihaverarelyinmylife,"saidhe,"wornasuitofclothescostingtwenty-eightdollars."

*H.C.Whitney,MS.,letter,Nov.13,1865.

"Severalofuslawyers,"remarkedoneofhiscolleagues,"intheeasternendofthecircuitannoyedLincolnoncewhilehewasholdingcourtforDavisbyattemptingtodefendagainstanotetowhichthereweremanymakers.Wehadnolegal,butagoodmoraldefense,butwhatwewantedmostofallwastostaveitofftillthenexttermofcourtbyoneexpedientoranother.Webothered"thecourt"aboutittilllateonSaturday,thedayofadjournment.Headjournedforsupperwithnothingleftbutthiscasetodisposeof.Aftersupperheheardourtwaddlefornearlyanhour,andthenmadethisoddentry:'L.D.Chaddonvs.J.D.Beasleyetal.AprilTerm,1856.ChampaignCountyCourt.PleainabatementbyB.Z.Green,adefendantnotserved,filedSaturdayat11o'clockA.M.,April24,1856,strickenfromthefilesbyorder

ofcourt.Demurrertodeclaration,ifthereeverwasone,overruled.Defendantswhoareservednow,at8o'clock,P.M.,ofthelastdayoftheterm,asktopleadtothemerits,whichisdeniedbythecourtonthegroundthattheoffercomestoolate,andtherefore,asbynildicet,judgmentisrenderedforPl'ff.Clerkassessdamages.A.Lincoln,Judgeprotem."'Thelawyerwhoreadsthissingularentrywillappreciateitsoddityifnooneelsedoes.Aftermakingitoneofthelawyers,onrecoveringhisastonishment,venturedtoenquire,"Well,Lincoln,howcanwegetthiscaseupagain?"Lincolneyedhimquizzicallyamoment,andthenanswered,"Youhaveallbeenso'mightysmartaboutthiscaseyoucanfindouthowtotakeitupagainyourselves."*

*"DuringmyfirstattendanceatcourtinMenardCounty,"relatesalawyerwhotravelledthecircuitwithLincoln,"somethirtyyoungmenhadbeenindictedforplayingcards,andLincolnandIwereemployedintheirdefense.Theprosecutingattorney,inframingtheindictments,alternatelychargedthedefendantswithplayingacertaingameofcardscalled'seven-up,'andinthenextbillchargedthemwithplayingcardsatacertaingamecalled'oldsledge.'Fourdefendantswereindictedineachbill.Theprosecutor,beingentirelyunacquaintedwithgamesat


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cards,didnotknowthefactthatboth'seven-up'and'oldsledge'wereoneandthesame.Uponthetrialonthebillsdescribingthegameas'seven-up'ourwitnesseswouldswearthatthegameplayedwas'oldsledge,'andviceversaonthebillsallegingthelatter.TheresultwasanacquittalineverycaseundertheinstructionsoftheCourt.Theprosecutorneverfoundoutthedodgeuntilthetrialswereover,andimmensefunandrejoicingwereindulgedinattheresult."

Thesamegentlemanwhofurnishesthislastincident,andwhowasafterwardatrustedfriendofMr.Lincoln,HenryC.Whitney,hasdescribedmosthappilythedelightsofalifeonthecircuit.Abitofit,referringtoLincoln,Iapprehend,cannotbedeemedoutofplacehere."InOctober,1854,AbrahamLincoln,"herelates,"droveintoourtown(Urbana)toattendcourt.Hehadtheappearanceofarough,intelligentfarmer,andhisrude,homemadebuggyandraw-bonedhorseenforcedthisbelief.IhadmethimforthefirsttimeinJuneofthesameyear.DavidDavisandLeonardSwetthadjustprecededhim.ThenextmorninghestartedNorth,ontheIllinoisCentralRailroad,andashewentinanoldomnibusheplayedonaboy'sharpallthewaytothedepot.IusedtoattendtheDanvillecourt,andwhilethere,usuallyroomedwithLincolnandDavis.WestoppedatMcCormick'shotel,anold-fashionedframecountrytavern.Jurors,counsel,prisoners,

everybodyateatalongtable.Thejudge,Lincoln,andIhadtheladies'parlorfittedupwithtwobeds.Lincoln,Swett,McWilliams,ofBloomington,Voorhees,ofCovington,Ind.,O.L.Davis,Drake,WardLamon,Lawrence,Beckwith,andO.F.Harmon,ofDanville,Whiteman,ofIroquoisCounty,andChandler,ofWilliamsport,Ind.,constitutedthebar.Lincoln,Davis,Swett,I,andotherswhocamefromthewesternpartofthestatewoulddrivefromUrbana.Thedistancewasthirty-sixmiles.Wesangandexchangedstoriesalltheway.Wehadnohesitationinstoppingatafarm-houseandorderingthemtokillandcookachickenfordinner.BydarkwereachedDanville.Lamonwouldhavewhiskeyinhisofficeforthedrinkingones,andthosewhoindulgedinpettygamblingwouldgetbythemselvesandplaytilllateinthenight.Lincoln,Davis,andafewlocalwitswouldspendtheeveninginDavis'sroom,talking

politics,wisdom,andfun.LincolnandSwettwerethegreatlawyers,andLincolnalwayswantedSwettinjurycases.Wewhostoppedatthehotelwouldallbreakfasttogetherandfrequentlygooutintothewoodsandholdcourt.Wewereofmoreconsequencethanacourtandbarisnow.Thefeelingswerethoseofgreatfraternityinthebar,andifwedesiredtorestrictourcircleitwasnotroubleforDavistofreezeoutanydisagreeablepersons.Lincolnwasfondofgoingallbyhimselftoanylittleshoworconcert.Ihaveknownhimtoslipawayandspendtheentireeveningatalittlemagiclanternshowintendedforchildren.Atravellingconcertcompany,callingthemselvesthe'NewhallFamily,'weresureofdrawingLincoln.Oneoftheirnumber,Mrs.Hillis,agoodsinger,heusedtotelluswastheonlywomanwhoeverseemedtoexhibitanylikingforhim.Iattendedanegro-minstrelshowinChicago,where

weheardDixiesung.Itwasentirelynew,andpleasedhimgreatly.Incourthewasirrepressibleandapparentlyinexhaustibleinhisfundofstories.Whereintheworldamanwhohadtravelledsolittleandstruggledamidtherestrictionsofsuchlimitedsurroundingscouldgatherupsuchaptanduniqueyarnswenevercouldguess.DavisappreciatedLincoln'stalentinthisdirection,andwasalwaysreadytostopbusinesstohearoneofhisstories.Lincolnwasverybashfulwheninthepresenceofladies.Irememberoncewewereinvitedtotaketeaatafriend'shouse,andwhileintheparlorIwascalledtothefrontgatetoseeaclient.WhenIreturned,Lincoln,whohadundertakento


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entertaintheladies,wastwistingandsquirminginhischair,andasbashfulasaschoolboy.Everywhere,thoughwemetahardcrowdateverycourt,andthoughthingswerefreeandeasy,weweretreatedwithgreatrespect."ProbablythemostimportantlawsuitLincolnandIconductedwasoneinwhichwedefendedtheIllinoisCentralRailroadinanactionbroughtbyMcLeanCounty,Illinois,inAugust,1853,torecovertaxesallegedtobeduethecountyfromtheroad.TheLegislaturehadgrantedtheroadimmunityfromtaxation,andthiswasacaseintendedtotesttheconstitutionalityofthelaw.Theroadsentaretainerfeeof$250.Inthelowercourtthecasewasdecidedinfavoroftherailroad.AnappealtotheSupremeCourtfollowed,andthereitwasarguedtwice,andfinallydecidedinourfavor.Thislastdecisionwasrenderedsometimein1855.Mr.LincolnsoonwenttoChicagoandpresentedourbillforlegalservices.Weonlyaskedfor$2000more.Theofficialtowhomhewasreferred,--supposedtohavebeenthesuperintendentGeorgeB.McClellanwhoafterwardsbecametheeminentgeneral,--lookingatthebillexpressedgreatsurprise."Why,sir,"heexclaimed,"thisisasmuchasDanielWebsterhimselfwouldhavecharged.Wecannotallowsuchaclaim."Stungbytherebuff,Lincolnwithdrewthebill,andstartedforhome.OnthewayhestoppedatBloomington.TherehemetGrantGoodrich,ArchibaldWilliams,NormanB.Judd,O.H.Browning,andotherattorneys,who,onlearningofhismodestchargeforsuchvaluableservicesrenderedtherailroad,inducedhimtoincreasethedemandto$5000,andtobringsuitforthatsum.Thiswasdoneatonce.Onthe

trialsixlawyerscertifiedthatthebillwasreasonable,andjudgmentforthatsumwentbydefault.Thejudgmentwaspromptlypaid.

Lincolngavememyhalf,andmuchaswedeprecatedtheavariceofgreatcorporations,weboththankedtheLordforlettingtheIllinoisCentralRailroadfallintoourhands.

Inthesummerof1857LincolnwasemployedbyMr.Manny,ofRockford,Ill.,todefendhiminanactionbroughtbyMcCormick,*whowasoneoftheinventorsofthereapingmachine,forinfringementofpatent.LincolnhadbeenrecommendedtoMannybyE.B.Washburne,thenamemberofCongressfromnorthernIllinois.ThecasewastobetriedbeforeJudgeMcLeanatCincinnati,intheCircuitCourtoftheUnitedStates.

ThecounselforMcCormickwasReverdyJohnson.EdwinM.StantonandGeorgeHarding,ofPhiladelphia,wereassociatedontheothersidewithLincoln.ThelattercametoCincinnatiafewdaysbeforetheargumenttookplace,andstoppedatthehouseofafriend."Thecasewasoneofgreatimportancepecuniarily,"relatesalawyer**inCincinnati,whowasamemberofthebaratthetime,"andinthelawquestionsinvolved.ReverdyJohnsonrepresentedtheplaintiff.Mr.Lincolnhadpreparedhimselfwiththegreatestcare;hisambitionwasuptospeakinthecaseandtomeasureswordswiththerenownedlawyerfromBaltimore.ItwasunderstoodbetweenhisclientandhimselfbeforehiscomingthatMr.Harding,ofPhiladelphia,wastobeassociatedwithhiminthecase,andwastomakethe'mechanicalargument.'

*Thecase,McCormickvs.Manny,isreportedin6McLean'sRep.,P.539.

**W.M.Dickson.

AfterreachingCincinnati,Mr.LincolnwasalittlesurprisedandannoyedtolearnthathisclienthadalsoassociatedwithhimMr.EdwinM.Stanton,ofPittsburg,andalawyerofourownbar,thereasonassignedbeingthattheimportanceofthecaserequiredamanoftheexperienceandpowerofMr.StantontomeetMr.Johnson.TheCincinnati


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lawyerwasappointedforhis'localinfluence.'Thesereasonsdidnotremovetheslightconveyedintheemploymentwithoutconsultationwithhimofthisadditionalcounsel.Hekeenlyfeltit,butacquiesced.Thetrialofthecasecameon;thecounselfordefensemeteachmorningforconsultation.Ononeoftheseoccasionsoneofthecounselmovedthatonlytwoofthemshouldspeakinthecase.Thismatterwasalsoacquiescedin.IthadalwaysbeenunderstoodthatMr.Hardingwastospeaktoexplainthemechanismofthereapers.SothismotionexcludedeitherMr.LincolnorMr.Stanton,--which?Bythecustomofthebar,asbetweencounselofequalstanding,andintheabsenceofanyactionoftheclient,theoriginalcounselspeaks.BythisruleMr.Lincolnhadprecedence.Mr.StantonsuggestedtoMr.Lincolntomakethespeech.Mr.Lincolnanswered,'No,youspeak.'Mr.Stantonreplied,'Iwill,'andtakinguphishat,saidhewouldgoandmakepreparation.Mr.Lincolnacquiescedinthis,butwasgreatlygrievedandmortified;hetookbutlittlemoreinterestinthecase,thoughremaininguntiltheconclusionofthetrial.Heseemedtobegreatlydepressed,andgaveevidenceofthattendencytomelancholywhichsomarkedhischaracter.Hispartingonleavingthecitycannotbeforgotten.Cordially'shakingthehandofhishostesshesaid:'Youhavemademystayheremostagreeable,andIamathousandtimesobligedtoyou;butinreplytoyourrequestformetocomeagain,ImustsaytoyouIneverexpecttobeinCincinnatiagain.Ihavenothingagainstthecity,butthingshavesohappenedhereastomakeitundesirableformeevertoreturn.'Lincolnfeltthat

Stantonhadnotonlybeenverydiscourteoustohim,buthadpurposelyignoredhiminthecase,andthathehadreceivedratherrude,ifnotunkind,treatmentfromallhands.Stanton,inhisbrusqueandabruptway,itissaid,describedhimasa'long,lankcreaturefromIllinois,wearingadirtylinendusterforacoat,onthebackofwhichtheperspirationhadsplotchedwidestainsthatresembledamapofthecontinent.Mr.Lincoln,"addsMr.Dickson,"remainedinCincinnatiaboutaweek,movingfreelyaround,yetnottwentymenknewhimpersonallyorknewhewashere;notahundredwouldhaveknownwhohewashadhisnamebeengiventothem.HecamewiththefondhopeofmakingfameinaforensiccontestwithReverdyJohnson.Hewaspushedaside,humiliatedandmortified.Heattachedtotheinnocentcitythedispleasurethatfilledhisbosom,andshookitsdustfromhisfeet."Onhisreturnto

Springfieldhewassomewhatreticentregardingthetrial,and,contrarytohiscustom,communicatedtohisassociatesatthebarbutfewofitsincidents.Hetoldmethathehadbeen"roughlyhandledbythatmanStanton";thatheoverheardthelatterfromanadjoiningroom,whilethedoorwasslightlyajar,referringtoLincoln,inquireofanother,"Wheredidthatlong-armedcreaturecomefrom,andwhatcanheexpecttodointhiscase?"DuringthetrialLincolnformedapooropinionofJudgeMcLean.Hecharacterizedhimasan"oldgranny,"withconsiderablevigorofmind,butnoperceptionatall."Ifyouweretopointyourfingerathim,"heputit,"andadarningneedleatthesametimeheneverwouldknowwhichwasthesharpest."

AsLincolngrewintopublicfavorandachievedsuchmarkedsuccessin

theprofession,halfthebarofSpringfieldbegantobeenviousofhisgrowingpopularity.Ibelievethereislessjealousyandbitterfeelingamonglawyersthanprofessionalmenofanyotherclass;butitshouldbeborneinmindthatinthatearlydayaportionofthebarineverycountyseat,ifnotamajorityofthelawyerseverywhere,werepoliticians.StuartfrequentlydifferedfromLincolnonpoliticalquestions,andwasfullofenvy.LikewisethosewhocoincidedwithLincolninhispoliticalviewsweredisturbedinthesameway.EvenLoganwasnotwhollyfreefromthedegradingpassion.ButinthisrespectLincolnsufferednomorethanothergreatcharacterswho


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precededhimintheworld'shistory.

ThatwhichLincoln'sadversariesinalawsuitfearedmostofallwashisapparentdisregardofcustomorprofessionalproprietyinmanagingacasebeforeajury.Hebrushedasideallrules,andveryoftenresortedtosomestrangeandstrategicperformancewhichinvariablybrokehisopponentdownorexercisedsomepeculiarinfluenceoverthejury.Hencetheothersideinacasewereinconstantfearofoneofhisdramaticstrokes,ortrembledlestheshould"ringin"someingeniouslyplannedinterruptionnotontheprogramme.InacasewhereJudgeLogan--alwaysearnestandgrave--opposedhim,LincolncreatednolittlemerrimentbyhisreferencetoLogan'sstyleofdress.Hecarriedthesurpriseinstoreforthelatter,tillhereachedhisturnbeforethejury.Addressingthem,hesaid:"Gentlemen,youmustbecarefulandnotpermityourselvestobeovercomebytheeloquenceofcounselforthedefense.JudgeLogan,Iknow,isaneffectivelawyer.Ihavemethimtoooftentodoubtthat;butshrewdandcarefulthoughhebe,stillheissometimeswrong.SincethistrialhasbegunIhavediscoveredthat,withallhiscautionandfastidiousness,hehasn'tknowledgeenoughtoputhisshirtonright."Loganturnedredascrimson,butsureenough,Lincolnwascorrect,fortheformerhaddonnedanewshirt,andbymistakehaddrawnitoverhisheadwiththepleatedbosombehind.ThegenerallaughwhichfolloweddestroyedtheeffectofLogan'seloquenceoverthejury--theverypointatwhichLincolnaimed.

ThetrialofWilliamArmstrong*forthemurderofJamesP.Metzger,inMay,1858,atBeardstown,Illinois,inwhichLincolnsecuredtheacquittalofthedefendant,wasoneofthegratifyingtriumphsinhiscareerasalawyer.

*ThisincidentinLincoln'scareerhasbeenmosthappilyutilizedbyDr.EdwardEgglestoninhisstory"TheGraysons,"recentlypublishedintheCenturyMagazine.

Lincoln'sdefense,whereinheflooredtheprincipalprosecutingwitness,whohadtestifiedpositivelytoseeingthefatalblowstruckinthemoonlight,byshowingfromanalmanacthatthemoonhadset,was

notmoreconvincingthanhiseloquentandirresistibleappealinhisclient'sfavor.Thelatter'smother,oldHannahArmstrong,thefriendofhisyouth,hadsolicitedhimtodefendherson."Hetoldthejury,"relatestheprosecutingattorney,"ofhisoncebeingapoor,friendlessboy;thatArmstrong'sparentstookhimintotheirhouse,fedandclothedhim,andgavehimahome.Thereweretearsinhiseyesashespoke.Thesightofhistall,quiveringframe,andtheparticularsofthestoryhesopatheticallytold,movedthejurytotearsalso,andtheyforgottheguiltofthedefendantintheiradmirationofhisadvocate.ItwasthemosttouchingsceneIeverwitnessed."*

*J.HenryShaw,letter,Aug.22,1866,MS.

BeforepassingitmaybewelltolistentothehumbletributeofoldHannahArmstrong,thedefendant'smother:"Lincolnhadsaidtome,'Hannah,yoursonwillbeclearedbeforesundown.'Ileftthecourt-room,andtheycameandtoldmethatmysonwasclearedandafreeman.Iwentuptothecourt-house.Thejuryshookhandswithme;sodidthejudgeandLincoln;tearsstreameddownLincoln'seyes....AfterthetrialIaskedhimwhathisfeewouldbe;toldhimIwaspoor.'Why,Hannah,'hesaid,'Isha'n'tchargeyouacent,andanythingelseIcandoforyou,willdoitwillinglyandwithoutcharge.'Heafterwardswrotetomeaboutapieceoflandwhichcertainmenweretryingtoget


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fromme,andsaid:'Hannah,theycan'tgetyourland.LetthemtryitintheCircuitCourt,andthenyouappealit;bringittotheSupremeCourtandIandHerndonwillattendtoitfornothing.'"*

ThelastsuitofanyimportanceinwhichLincolnwaspersonallyengaged,wasknownastheJohnsonsand-barcase.Itinvolvedthetitletocertainlands,theaccretionontheshoresofLakeMichigan,inornearChicago.ItwastriedintheUnitedStatesCircuitCourtatChicagoinAprilandMay,1860.Duringthetrial,theCourt--JudgeDrummond--andallthecounselonbothsidesdinedattheresidenceofIsaacN.Arnold,afterwardsamemberofCongress."DouglasandLincoln,"relatesMr.Arnold,"wereatthetimebothcandidatesforthenominationforPresident.Therewereactiveandardentpoliticalfriendsofeachatthetable,andwhenthesentimentwasproposed,'MayIllinoisfurnishthenextPresident,'itwasdrankwithenthusiasmbythefriendsofbothLincolnandDouglas."**

*Fromstatement,Nov.24,1865.

**Arnold's"Lincoln,"p.90.

IcouldfillthisvolumewithreminiscencesofLincoln'scareerasalawyer,butlestthereadershouldtireofwhatmustsavorinmanycasesofmonotonyitisbesttomoveon.Ihavemadethisportionofthebook

ratherfull;butasLincoln'sindividualityandpeculiaritiesweremoremarkedinthelawofficeandcourt-roomthananywhereelseitwillplayitspartinmakingupthepictureoftheman.Enoughhasbeentoldtoshowhow,inthefaceofadversefortuneandthelackofearlytraining,andbyforceofhisindomitablewillandself-confidence,hegainedsuchascendencyamongthelawyersofIllinois.Thereaderisenabledtherebytounderstandthephilosophyofhisgrowth.

Butnowanotherfieldispreparingtoclaimhim.Therewillsoonbegreatneedforhisclearreason,masterlymindandheroicdevotiontoprinciple.Thedistantmutteringsofanapproachingcontestaredrivingscatteredfactionsintoaunionofsentimentandaction.Asthephalanxesofwarriorsarepreparingforaction,amidtherattle

offorensicmusketry,Lincoln,theircourageousleader,equippedforbattle,springsintoview.

CHAPTERII.

WHILELincolninacertainsensewasburiedinthelawfromthetimehiscareerinCongressclosedtill,tousehisownwords,"therepealoftheMissouriCompromisearousedhimagain,"yethewasacarefulstudentofhistimesandkeptabreastofthemanyandvariedmovementsinpolitics.HewasgenerallyontheWhigelectoraltickets,andmadehimselfheard

duringeachsuccessivecanvas,*butheseemedtohavelostthatzealousinterestinpoliticswhichcharacterizedhisearlierdays.Heploddedonunawareof,andseeminglywithoutambitionfor,thegreatdistinctionthatlayinstoreforhim.

*Inthecampaignof1852,whenPiercewastheDemocraticcandidateforPresident,DouglasmadespeechesforhiminalmosteveryStateintheUnion.His"key-note"wassoundedatRichmond,Va.Lincoln,whosereputationwaslimitedbytheboundariesofIllinois,wasinvitedbytheScottClubof


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Springfieldtoanswerit,buthissoulandheartwerenotintheundertaking.Hehadnotyetbeenawakened,and,consideringitentire,thespeechwasapooreffort.Anotherhastruthfullysaidofit,"Ifitwasdistinguishedbyonequalityaboveanotheritwasbyitsattemptsathumor,andallthoseattemptswerestrainedandaffected,aswellasverycoarse.Hedisplayedajealousandpetulanttemperfromthefirsttothelast,whollybeneaththedignityoftheoccasionandtheimportanceofthetopic.Consideredasawholeitmaybesaidthatnoneofhispublicperformanceswasmoreunworthyofitsreallynobleauthorthanthisone.Theclosingparagraphwillserveasafairsampleoftheentirespeech:"Letusstandbyourcandidate[Gen.Scott]asfaithfullyashehasalwaysstoodbyourcountry,andImuchdoubtifwedonotperceiveaslightabatementofJudgeDouglas'sconfidenceinProvidenceaswellasthepeople.IsuspectthatconfidenceisnotmorefirmlyfixedwiththeJudgethanitwaswiththeoldwomanwhosehorseranawaywithherinabuggy.ShesaidshetrustedinProvidencetillthe'britchen'broke,andthenshedidn'tknowwhaton'airth'todo.ThechanceistheJudgewillseethe'britchen'broke,andthenhecanathisleisurebewailthefateofLocofocoismasthevictimofmisplacedconfidence."

JohnT.Stuartrelates*that,asheandLincolnwerereturningfromthecourtinTazewellcountyin1850,andwerenearingthelittletownofDillon,theyengagedinadiscussionofthepoliticalsituation.

*Statement,J.T.S.,MS.,July21,1865.

"Aswewerecomingdownthehill,"areStuart'swords,"Isaid,'Lincoln,thetimeiscomingwhenweshallhavetobealleitherAbolitionistsorDemocrats.'Hethoughtamomentandthenanswered,ruefullyandemphatically,'Whenthattimecomesmymindismadeup,forIbelievetheslaveryquestioncanneverbesuccessfullycompromised.'Irespondedwithequalemphasis,'Mymindismadeuptoo.'"ThusitwaswithLincoln.Buthewastooslowtosuittheimpetuousdemandof

thefewpronouncedAbolitionistswhomhemetinhisdailywalks.ThesentimentofthemajorityinSpringfieldtendedintheotherdirection,and,thusenvironed,Lincolnlaydownlikethesleepinglion.Thefuturewouldyetarousehim.AtthattimeIwasanardentAbolitionistinsentiment.IusedtowarnLincolnagainsthisapparentconservatismwhentheneedsofthehourweresogreat;buthisonlyanswerwouldbe,'Billy,you'retoorampantandspontaneous.'IwasincorrespondencewithSumner,Greeley,Phillips,andGarrison,andwasthusthoroughlyimbuedwithalltherancordrawnfromsuchstronganti-slaverysources.IadheredtoLincoln,relyingonthefinaloutcomeofhissenseofjusticeandright.EverytimeagoodspeechonthegreatissuewasmadeIsentforit.HenceyoucouldfindonmytablethelatestutterancesofGiddings,Phillips,Sumner,Seward,andonewhomIconsideredgrander

thanalltheothers--TheodoreParker.LincolnandItooksuchpapersastheChicagoTribune,NewYorkTribune,Anti-SlaveryStandard,Emancipator,andNationalEra.OntheothersideofthequestionwetooktheCharlestonMercuryandtheRichmondEnquirer.Ialsoboughtabookcalled"Sociology,"writtenbyoneFitzhugh,whichdefendedandjustifiedslaveryineveryconceivableway.InadditionIpurchasedalltheleadinghistoriesoftheslaverymovement,andotherworkswhichtreatedonthatsubject.Lincolnhimselfneverboughtmanybooks,butheandIbothreadthoseIhavenamed.Afterreadingthemwewoulddiscussthequestionstheytoucheduponandtheideastheysuggested,fromour


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differentpointsofview.IwasneverconsciousofhavingmademuchofanimpressiononMr.Lincoln,nordoIbelieveIeverchangedhisviews.Iwillgofurtherandsay,that,fromtheprofoundnatureofhisconclusionsandthelaboredmethodbywhichhearrivedatthem,nomanisentitledtothecreditofhavingeitherchangedorgreatlymodifiedthem.Irememberonce,afterhavingreadoneofTheodoreParker'ssermonsonslavery,sayingtoMr.Lincolnsubstantiallythis:"Ihavealwaysnoticedthatill-gottenwealthdoesnomananygood.Thisisastrueofnationsasindividuals.Ibelievethatalltheill-gottengainwrenchedbyusfromthenegrothroughhisenslavementwilleventuallybetakenfromus,andwewillbesetbackwherewebegan."Lincolnthoughtmyprophecyratherdireful.Hedoubtedseriouslyifeitherofuswouldlivetoseetherightingofsogreatawrong;butyearsafter,whenwritinghissecondInauguraladdress,heendorsedtheidea.Clothingitinthemostbeautifullanguage,hesays:"YetifGodwillsthatit[thewar]continuetillallthewealthpiledbythebondsman'stwohundredandfiftyyearsofunrequitedtoilshallbesunk,anduntileverydropofblooddrawnbythelashshallbepaidbyanotherdrawnbythesword,aswassaidthreethousandyearsago,sostillitmustbesaid,'ThejudgmentsoftheLordaretrueandrighteousaltogether.'"ThepassageinMay,1854,oftheKansas-NebraskabillsweptoutofsighttheMissouriCompromiseandtheCompromisemeasuresof1850.Thisbill,designedandcarriedthroughbyDouglas,wasregardedbyhimasthemasterpieceofallhisvariedachievementsinlegislation.Itservedto

provemoreclearlythananythinghehadeverbeforedonehisflexibilityandwantofpoliticalconscience.AlthoughinyearsgonebeforehehadinvokedthevengeanceofHeavenontheruthlesshandthatshoulddaretodisturbthesanctityofthecompactof1821,yetnowhewasthearrogantandaudaciousleaderintheveryworkhehadsoheartilycondemned.WhenweconsiderthebillandtheunfortunateresultswhichfolloweditintheborderStatesweareirresistiblyledtoconcludethatitwas,allthingsconsidered,agreatpublicwrongandamostlamentablepieceofpoliticaljugglery.ThestumpspeechwhichThomasH.BentonchargedthatDouglashad"injectedintothebellyofthebill"containsalltherewasofPopularSovereignty--"ItbeingthetrueintentandmeaningofthisactnottolegislateslaveryintoanyTerritoryorStatenortoexcludeittherefrom,buttoleavethepeoplethereofperfectlyfreetoformand

regulatetheirdomesticinstitutionsintheirownway,subjectonlytotheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,"anargumentwhich,usingLincoln'swords,"amountstothis:Thatifanyonemanchoosestoenslaveanothernothirdmanshallbeallowedtoobject."ThewidespreadfeelingthepassageofthislawarousedeverywhereovertheUnionisamatterofgeneralhistory.ItstirredupinNewEnglandthelatenthostilitytotheaggressionofslavery;itstimulatedtoextraordinaryendeavorsthederidedAbolitionists,armingthemwithnewweapons;itsoundedthedeath-knellofthegallantoldWhigparty;itdrovetogetherstrange,discordantelementsinreadinesstofightacommonenemy;itbroughttotheforefrontaleaderinthepersonofLincoln.

TherevoltofCook,Judd,andPalmer,allyoungandprogressive,

fromtheDemocraticmajorityintheLegislaturewasthefirstsignofdiscontentinIllinois.TherudeandpartlyhostilereceptionofDouglas,onhisarrivalinChicago,didnotinanydegreetendtoallaythefeelingofdisapprovalsogeneralinitsmanifestation.Thewarriors,youngandold,removedtheirarmorfromthewalls,andbeganpreparationsfortheimpendingconflict.LincolnhadmadeafewspeechesinaidofScottduringthecampaignof1852,buttheywereeffortsentirelyunworthyoftheman.Now,however,aliveissuewaspresentedtohim.Noonerealizedthissoonerthanhe.Intheofficediscussionshegrewbolderinhisutterances.Heinsistedthatthesocialand


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politicaldifferencebetweenslaveryandfreedomwasbecomingmoremarked;thatonemustovercometheother;andthatpostponingthestrugglebetweenthemwouldonlymakeitthemoredeadlyintheend."Thedayofcompromise,"hestillcontended,"haspassed.Thesetwogreatideashavebeenkeptapartonlybythemostartfulmeans.Theyareliketwowildbeastsinsightofeachother,butchainedandheldapart.Somedaythesedeadlyantagonistswilloneortheotherbreaktheirbonds,andthenthequestionwillbesettled."Inaconversationwithafellow-lawyer*hesaidofslavery:"Itisthemostglittering,ostentatious,anddisplayingpropertyintheworld,andnow,ifayoungmangoescourting,theonlyinquiryishowmanynegroesheorhislady-loveowns.Theloveforslavepropertyisswallowingupeveryothermercenarypossession.Slaveryisagreatandcryinginjustice--anenormousnationalcrime."Atanothertimehemadetheobservationthatitwas"singularthatthecourtswouldholdthatamanneverlosthisrighttohispropertythathadbeenstolenfromhim,butthatheinstantlylosthisrighttohimselfifhewasstolen."Itisuselesstoaddmoreevidence--foritcouldbepiledmountainhigh--showingthatattheveryoutsetMr.Lincolnwassoundtothecoreontheinjusticeandcrimeofhumanslavery.

*JosephGillespie,MS.letter,June9,'66.

AfterabriefrestathishomeinChicagoMr.Douglasbetookhimselfto

thecountry,andinOctober,duringtheweekoftheStateFair,wefindhiminSpringfield.OnTuesdayhemadeaspeechintheStateHousewhich,inviewofthehostileattitudeofsomeofhisownpartyfriends,wasalaboreddefenseofhisposition.Itwasfullofingenioussophistryandskilfulargument.AnunprecedentedconcourseofpeoplehadgatheredfromallpartsoftheState,andDouglas,freshfromthehallsofCongress,wasthelionofthehour.OnthefollowingdayMr.Lincoln,asthechampionoftheopponentsofPopularSovereignty,wasselectedtorepresentthosewhodisagreedwiththenewlegislation,andtoanswerDouglas.Hisspeechencouragedhisfriendsnolessthanitstartledhisenemies.AtthistimeIwaszealouslyinterestedinthenewmovement,andnotlesssoinLincoln.IfrequentlywrotetheeditorialsintheSpringfieldJournaltheeditor,SimeonFrancis,givingtoLincolnand

tometheutmostlibertyinthatdirection.OccasionallyLincolnwouldwriteoutmatterforpublication,butIbelieveIavailedmyselfoftheprivilegeoftenerthanhe.TheeditorialintheissuecontainingthespeechesofLincolnandDouglasonthisoccasionwasmyown,andwhileindescriptionitmayseemratherstronglyimbuedwithyouthfulenthusiasm,yetonreadingitinmatureryearsIamstillinclinedtobelieveitreasonablyfaithfultothefactsandthesituation."Theanti-NebraskaspeechofMr.Lincoln,"saysthearticle,"wastheprofoundestinouropinionthathehasmadeinhiswholelife.Hefeltuponhissoulthetruthsburnwhichheuttered,andallpresentfeltthathewastruetohisownsoul.Hisfeelingsonceortwiceswelledwithin,andcamenearstiflingutterance.Hequiveredwithemotion.Thewholehousewasasstillasdeath.HeattackedtheNebraskabillwith

unusualwarmthandenergy;andallfeltthatamanofstrengthwasitsenemy,andthatheintendedtoblastitifhecouldbystrongandmanlyefforts.Hewasmostsuccessful,andthehouseapprovedtheglorioustriumphoftruthbyloudandcontinuedhuzzas.Womenwavedtheirwhitehandkerchiefsintokenofwoman'ssilentbutheartfeltassent.Douglasfeltthesting;theanimalwithinhimwasrousedbecausehefrequentlyinterruptedMr.Lincoln.HisfriendsfeltthathewascrushedbyLincoln'spowerfulargument,manlylogic,andillustrationsfromnaturearoundus.TheNebraskabillwasshivered,andlikeatreeoftheforestwastornandrentasunderbythehotboltsoftruth.Mr.Lincoln


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exhibitedDouglasinalltheattitudeshecouldbeplaced,inafriendlydebate.Heexhibitedthebillinallitsaspectstoshowitshumbuggeryandfalsehood,and,whenthustorntorags,cutintoslips,helduptothegazeofthevastcrowd,akindofscornandmockerywasvisibleuponthefaceofthecrowdanduponthelipsoftheirmosteloquentspeaker.Attheconclusionofthisspeecheverymanandchildfeltthatitwasunanswerable.Hetooktheheartcaptiveandbrokelikeasunovertheunderstanding."

AnentthesubjectofeditorialwritingitmaynotbeinappropriatetorelatethatLincolnandIbothkeptonfurnishingpoliticalmatterofmanyvarietiesfortheSpringfieldJournaluntil1860.ManyoftheeditorialsthatIwrotewereintendeddirectlyorindirectlytopromotetheinterestofLincoln.IwroteoneontheadvisabilityofannexingCubatotheUnitedStates,takingtheratheradvancedgroundthatslaverywouldbeabolishedinCubabeforeitwouldinthiscountry--apositionwhicharousednolittlecontroversywithotherpapers.Onelittleincidentoccurstomeinthisconnectionwhichmaynotbewithoutinteresttonewspapermen.AnewspaperhadbeenstartedinSpringfieldcalledtheConservative,which,itwasbelieved,wasbeingrunintheinterestoftheDemocraticparty.WhilepretendingtosupportFillmoreitwaskeptalivebyBuchananmenandotherkindredspirits,whoweresomewhatpro-slaveryintheirviews.ThethingwasdamagingLincolnandthefriendsoffreedommorethananavowedDemocraticpapercould.The

editor,aneasy,good-naturedfellow,simplyplacedinchargetoexecutethewillofthosewhogavethepaperitsfinancialbacking,wasagoodfriendofmine,andbymeansofthisfriendshipIwasalwayswellinformedofmattersintheConservativeeditorialroom.OnedayIreadintheRichmondEnquireranarticleendorsingslavery,andarguingthatfromprincipletheenslavementofeitherwhitesorblackswasjustifiableandright.IshowedittoLincoln,whoremarkedthatitwas"ratherrankdoctrineforNorthernDemocratstoendorse.Ishouldliketosee,"hesaid,withemphasis,"someoftheseIllinoisnewspaperschampionthat."ItoldhimifhewouldonlywaitandkeephisowncounselIwouldhaveapro-slaveryorganinSpringfieldpublishthatveryarticle.Hedoubtedit,butwhenItoldhimhowitwastobedonehelaughedandsaid,"Goin."Icuttheslipoutandsucceededin

gettingitinthepapernamed.Ofcourseitwasatrick,butitactedadmirably.Itsappearanceintheneworgan,althoughwithoutcomment,almostruinedthatvaluablejournal,andmygood-naturedfriendtheeditorwasnearlyovercomebythedenunciationofthosewhowereresponsiblefortheorgan'sexistence.Myconnection,andLincoln'stoo,--forheendorsedthetrick,--withthepublicationofthecondemnedarticlewaseventuallydiscovered,andwewerethereaftereffectuallypreventedfromgettinganotherlineinthepaper.Theanti-slaverypeoplequotedthearticleashavingbeenendorsedbyaDemocraticnewspaperinSpringfield,andLincolnhimselfuseditwithtellingeffect.Hejoinedinthepopulardenunciation,expressinggreatastonishmentthatsuchasentimentcouldfindlodgmentinanypaperinIllinois,althoughheknewfullwellhowthewholethinghadbeen

carriedthrough.

DuringtheremainderoftheState-Fairweek,speechesweremadebyLymanTrumbull,SidneyBreese,E.D.Taylor,andJohnCalhoun,noneofwhichunfortunatelyhavebeenpreserved.AmongthosewhomingledinthecrowdandlistenedtothemwasOwenLovejoy,aradical,fiery,brave,fanaticalman,itmaybe,butonefullofthevirusofAbolitionism.Ihadbeenthoroughlyinoculatedwiththelattermyself,andsohadmanyothers,whohelpedtoswellthethrong.TheNebraskamovementhadkindledanewtheoldzeal,andinspireduswithrenewedconfidence


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tobeginthecrusade.Asmanyofusascould,assembledtogethertoorganizeforthecampaignbeforeus.AssoonthereforeasLincolnfinishedhisspeechinthehalloftheHouseofRepresentatives,Lovejoy,movingforwardfromthecrowd,announcedameetinginthesameplacethateveningofallthefriendsofFreedom.ThatofcoursemeanttheAbolitionistswithwhomIhadbeeninconferencealltheday.TheirplanhadbeentoinduceMr.Lincolntospeakforthemattheirmeeting.StrongasIwasinthefaith,yetIdoubtedtheproprietyofLincoln'stakinganystandyet.AsIviewedit,hewasambitioustoclimbtotheUnitedStatesSenate,andongroundsofpolicyitwouldnotdoforhimtooccupyatthattimesuchadvancedgroundasweweretaking.Ontheotherhand,itwasequallyasdangeroustorefuseaspeechfortheAbolitionists.Ididnotknowhowhefeltonthesubject,butonlearningthatLovejoyintendedtoapproachhimwithaninvitation,IhuntedupLincolnandurgedhimtoavoidmeetingtheenthusiasticchampionofAbolitionism."Gohomeatonce,"Isaid."TakeBobwithyouanddrivesomewhereintothecountryandstaytillthisthingisover."WhethermyadmonitionandreasoningmovedhimornotIdonotknow,butitonlyremainstostatethatunderpretenceofhavingbusinessinTazewellcountyhedroveoutoftowninhisbuggy,anddidnotreturntilltheapostlesofAbolitionismhadseparatedandgonetotheirhomes.*Ihavealwaysbelievedthislittlearrangement--itwoulddignifyittoomuchtocallitaplan--savedLincoln.Ifhehadendorsedtheresolutionspassedatthemeeting,orspokensimplyinfavoroffreedom

thatnight,hewouldhavebeenidentifiedwithalltherancorandextremesofAbolitionism.If,onthecontrary,hehadbeeninvitedtojointhem,andthenhadrefusedtotakeapositionasadvancedastheirs,hewouldhavelosttheirsupport.Ineithereventhewasingreatdanger;andsohewhowasaspiringtosucceedhisoldrival,JamesShields,intheUnitedStatesSenatewasforcedtoavoidtheissuebydrivinghastilyinhisonehorsebuggytothecourtinTazewellcounty.Asingularcoincidencesuggestsitselfinthefactthat,twelveyearsbefore,JamesShieldsandafrienddrovehastilyinthesamedirection,anddestinedforthesamepoint,toforceLincolntotakeissueinanotherandentirelydifferentmatter.

*SeeLincoln'sSpeech,JointDebate,Ottawa,Ills.,Aug.

20,1858.

ByrequestofpartyfriendsLincolnwasinducedtofollowafterDouglasand,atthevariousplaceswherethelatterhadappointmentstospeak,replytohim.Onthe16thofOctobertheymetatPeoria,whereDouglasenjoyedtheadvantagesofan"openandclose."Lincolnmadeaneffectivespeech,whichhewroteoutandfurnishedtotheSangamonJournalforpublication,andwhichcanbefoundamonghispublicutterances.HispartyfriendsinSpringfieldandelsewhere,whohadurgedhimtopushafterDouglastillhecried,"enough,"weresurprisedafewdaysafterthePeoriadebatetofindhimathome,withtheinformationthatbyanagreementwiththelattertheywerebothtoreturnhomeandspeaknomoreduringthecampaign.Judgeofhisastonishmentafewdayslaterto

findthathisrival,insteadofgoingdirecttohishomeinChicago,hadstoppedatPrincetonandviolatedhisexpressagreementbymakingaspeechthere!LincolnwasmuchdispleasedatthisactionofDouglas,whichtendedtoconvincehimthatthelatterwasreallyamandevoidoffixedpoliticalmorals.Irememberhisexplanationinourofficemadetome,WilliamButler,WilliamJayne,Ben.F.Irwin,andotherfriends,toaccountforhisearlywithdrawalfromthestump.AfterthePeoriadebateDouglasapproachedhimandflatteredhimbysayingthathewasgivinghimmoretroubleontheterritorialandslaveryquestionsthanalltheUnitedStatesSenate,andhethereforeproposedtohimthatbothshould


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abandonthefieldandreturntotheirhomes.NowLincolncouldneverrefuseapoliterequest--oneinwhichnoprinciplewasinvolved.Ihaveheardhimsay,"It'safortunatethingIwasn'tbornawoman,forIcannotrefuseanything,itseems."HethereforeconsentedtothecessationofdebateproposedbyDouglas,andthenextdaybothwenttothetownofLacon,wheretheyhadbeenbilledforspeeches.Theiragreementwaskeptfromtheirfriends,andbothdeclinedtospeak--Douglas,onthegroundofhoarseness,andLincolngallantlyrefusingtotakeadvantageof"JudgeDouglas'sindisposition."Heretheyseparated,Lincolngoingdirectlyhome,andDouglas,asbeforerelated,stoppingatPrincetonandcollidingindebatewithOwenLovejoy.UponbeingchargedafterwardswithhisbreachofagreementDouglasrespondedthatLovejoy"banteredandbadgered"himsopersistentlyhecouldnotgracefullyresisttheencounter.ThewholethingthoroughlydispleasedLincoln.*

*InaletterfromPrinceton,Ill.,March15,1866,JohnH.Bryant,brotherofthepoetWilliamCullenBryant,writes:"IhavesucceededinfindinganoldfileofourPrincetonpapers,fromwhichIlearnthatMr.DouglasspokehereonWednesday,Oct.18,1854.Thisfixesthedate.IrecollectthathestaidatTiskilwa,sixmilessouthofthis,thenightbefore,andanumberofourDemocratswentdownthenextmorningandescortedhimtothisplace.Douglasspoke

firstonehalf-hourandwasansweredbyLovejoyonehalf-hour,whenDouglastalkedtilldark,givingnoopportunityforreply.

"Yourstruly,

"JohnH.Bryant."

DuringthiscampaignLincolnwasnominatedandelectedtotheLegislature.Thiswasdoneinthefaceofhisunwillingnessandoverhisprotest.OntheticketwithhimwasJudgeLogan.Bothwereelectedbyamajorityofabout600votes.Lincoln,beingambitioustoreachtheUnitedStatesSenate,andwarmlyencouragedinhisaspirationsbyhis

wife,resignedhisseatintheLegislatureinorderthathemightthemoreeasilybeelectedtosucceedhisoldrivalJamesShields,whowasthenoneofthesenatorsfromIllinois.Hiscanvassforthatexaltedofficewasmarkedbyhischaracteristicactivityandvigilance.DuringtheanxiousmomentsthatintervenedbetweenthegeneralelectionandtheassemblingoftheLegislatureheslept,likeNapoleon,withoneeyeopen.WhileattendingcourtatClintononthe11thofNovember,afewdaysaftertheelection,hewrotetoapartyfriendinthetownofParis:"IhaveasuspicionthataWhighasbeenelectedtotheLegislaturefromEdgar.Ifthisisnotso,whythen,'nixcumarous;butifitisso,thencouldyounotmakeamarkwithhimformeforU.S.Senator?Ireallyhavesomechance.PleasewritemeatSpringfieldgivingmethenames,post-offices,andpoliticalpositionsof

yourRepresentativeandSenator,whoevertheymaybe.Letthisbeconfidential.'"

ThatmanwhothinksLincolncalmlysatdownandgatheredhisrobesabouthim,waitingforthepeopletocallhim,hasaveryerroneousknowledgeofLincoln.Hewasalwayscalculating,andalwaysplanningahead.Hisambitionwasalittleenginethatknewnorest.Thevicissitudesofapoliticalcampaignbroughtintoplayallhistactandmanagementanddevelopedtoitsfullestextenthislatentindustry.Incommonwithotherpoliticiansheneveroverlookedanewspapermanwhohaditinhis


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powertosayagoodorbadthingofhim.Thepressofthatdaywasnotsopowerfulaninstitutionasnow,butambitiouspoliticianscourtedthefavorofanewspapermanwithasmuchzealasthesameclassofmenhavedoneinlaterdays.IrememberaletterLincolnoncewrotetotheeditorofanobscurelittlecountrynewspaperinsouthernIllinoisinwhichhewarmsuptohiminthefollowingstyle.*"FriendHarding:Ihavebeenreadingyourpaperforthreeorfouryearsandhavepaidyounothingforit."Hethenenclosestendollarsandadmonishestheeditorwithinnocentcomplacency:"Putitintoyourpocket,sayingnothingfurtheraboutit."Verysoonthereafter,hepreparedanarticleonpoliticalmattersandsentittotheruraljournalist,requestingitspublicationintheeditorialcolumnsofhis"valuedpaper,"butthelatter,havingfollowedLincoln'sdirectionsandstowedthetendollarsawayinhispocket,andalivetotheimportanceofhisjournal'sinfluence,declined,"because,"hesaid,"Ilongagomadeitaruletopublishnothingaseditorialmatternotwrittenbymyself."Lincolnreadtheeditor'sanswertome.AlthoughthelaughwasonLincolnheenjoyedthejokeheartily."Thateditor,"hesaid,"hasaratherloftybutproperconceptionoftruejournalism."

MeanwhiletheLegislaturehadconvenedandtheSenatorialquestioncameonforsolution.Thehistoryofthiscontestisgenerallyunderstood,andtheworldhasrepeatedlybeentoldhowLincolnwasledtoexpecttheplaceandwouldhavewonbutfortheapostasyofthefiveanti-Nebraska

menofDemocraticantecedentswhoclungtoandfinallyforcedtheelectionofLymanTrumbull.ThestudentofhistoryinafteryearswillbetaughttoreverethenameofLincolnforhisexceedingmagnanimityininducinghisfriendstoabandonhimatthecriticalperiodandsaveTrumbull,whilehehimselfdisappearedbeneaththewavesofdefeat.*

*"Afteranumberofballots--JuddofCook,CookofLaSalle,PalmerofMacoupin,andAllenandBakerofMadisonvotingforTrumbull--IaskedMr.Lincolnwhathewouldadviseustodo.Heanswered,'GoforTrumbullbyallmeans.'WeunderstoodthecasetobethatShieldswastoberunbytheDemocratsatfirstandthentobedropped,andJoelA.Mattesonputup;anditwascalculatedthatcertain

ofourmenwhohadbeenelectedonthe'FreeSoil'issuewouldvoteforhimaftertheyhadactedwithuslongenoughtosatisfytheirconsciencesandconstituents.Ourobjectwastoforceanelectionbeforetheygotthroughwiththeirprogramme.WeweresavagelyopposedtoMatteson,andsowasMr.Lincoln,whosaidthatifwedidnotdropinanduniteuponTrumbullthefivemenabove-namedwouldgoforMattesonandelecthim,whichwouldbeaneverlastingdisgracetotheState.Wereluctantlycomplied;wenttoTrumbullandelectedhim.IrememberthatJudgeS.T.LogangaveupLincolnwithgreatreluctance.Hebeggedhardtotryhimononeortwoballotsmore,butMr.Lincolnurgedusnottoriskitlonger.Ineversawthelattermoreearnestanddecided.He

congratulatedTrumbullwarmly,althoughofcoursegreatlydisappointedandmortifiedathisownwantofsuccess."--JosephGillespie,letter,September19,1866,MS.

ThisfrustrationofLincoln'sambitionhadamarkedeffectonhispoliticalviews.Itwasplaintohimnowthatthe"irrepressibleconflict"wasnotfarahead.Withthestrengtheningofhisfaithinajustcausesolongheldinabeyancehebecamemoredefianteachday.Butintheverynatureofthingshedarednotbeasboldandoutspokenas


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I.Withhimeverywordandsentencehadtobeweighedanditseffectscalculated,beforebeinguttered:butwithmethatoperationhadtobereversedifdoneatall.Anincidentthatoccurredaboutthistimewillshowhowhisviewswerebroadening.SometimeaftertheelectionofTrumbullayoungnegro,thesonofacoloredwomaninSpringfieldknownasPolly,wentfromhishometoSt.LouisandtherehiredasahandonalowerMississippiboat,--forwhatspecialservice,Idonotrecollect,--arrivinginNewOrleanswithoutwhatwereknownasfreepapers.Thoughbornfreehewassubjectedtothetyrannyofthe"blackcode,"allthemorestringentbecauseoftherecentutterancesoftheAbolitionistsintheNorth,andwaskeptinprisonuntilhisboathadleft.Then,asnoonewasespeciallyinterestedinhim,hewasforgotten.Afteracertainlengthoftimeestablishedbylaw,hewouldinevitablyhavebeensoldintoslaverytodefrayprisonexpenseshadnotLincolnandIinterposedouraid.Themothercametouswiththestoryofthewrongdonehersonandinducedustointerfereinherbehalf.WewentfirsttoseetheGovernorofIllinois,who,afterpatientandthoroughexaminationofthelaw,respondedthathehadnorightorpowertointerfere.RecoursewasthenhadtotheGovernorofLouisiana,whorespondedinlikemanner.Weweresorelyperplexed.AsecondinterviewwiththeGovernorofIllinoisresultinginnothingfavorableLincolnrosefromhischair,hatinhand,andexclaimedwithsomeemphasis:"ByGod,Governor,I'llmakethegroundinthiscountrytoohotforthefootofaslave,whetheryouhavethelegalpowertosecurethereleaseof

thisboyornot."Havingexhaustedalllegalmeanstorecoverthenegrowedroppedourrelationaslawyerstothecase.Lincolndrewupasubscription-list,whichIcirculated,collectingfundsenoughtopurchasetheyoungman'sliberty.ThemoneywesenttoCol.A.P.Fields,afriendofoursinNewOrleans,whoapplieditasdirected,anditrestoredtheprisonertohisoverjoyedmother.

Thepoliticalhistoryofthecountry,commencingin1854andcontinuingtilltheoutbreakoftheRebellion,furnishesthestudentaconstantsuccessionofstirringandsometimesbloodyscenes.NosoonerhadLincolnemergedfromtheSenatorialcontestinFebruary,1855,andabsorbedhimselfinthelaw,thantheoutragesonthebordersofMissouriandKansasbegantoarrestpublicattention.Thestoriesof

raids,electionfrauds,murders,andothercrimesweremovingeastwardwithmarkedrapidity.Theseoutburstsoffrontierlawlessness,ledandsanctionedbytheavowedpro-slaveryelement,werenotonlystirringuptheAbolitioniststofeverheat,buttouchingtheheartsofhumanityingeneral.InIllinoisanassociationwasformedtoaidthecauseof"Free-Soil"meninKansas.InthemeetingsofthesebandstheAbolitionistsofcoursetookthemostprominentpart.AtSpringfieldwewereenergetic,vigilant,almostrevolutionary.Werecommendedtheemploymentofanymeans,howeverdesperate,topromoteanddefendthecauseoffreedom.AtoneofthesemeetingsLincolnwascalledonforaspeech.Herespondedtotherequest,counsellingmoderationandlessbitternessindealingwiththesituationbeforeus.Wewerebelligerentintone,andclearlyoutofpatiencewiththeGovernment.Lincoln

opposedthenotionofcoercivemeasureswiththepossibilityofresultingbloodshed,advisingustoeschewresorttothebullet."Youcanbettersucceed,"hedeclared,"withtheballot.YoucanpeaceablythenredeemtheGovernmentandpreservethelibertiesofmankindthroughyourvotesandvoiceandmoralinfluence....Lettherebepeace.Revolutionizethroughtheballotbox,andrestoretheGovernmentoncemoretotheaffectionsandheartsofmenbymakingitexpress,asitwasintendedtodo,thehighestspiritofjusticeandliberty.Yourattempt,iftherebesuch,toresistthelawsofKansasbyforceiscriminalandwicked;andallyourfeebleattemptswillbefolliesandendin


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bringingsorrowonyourheadsandruinthecauseyouwouldfreelydietopreserve!"Thesejudiciouswordsofcounsel,whiletheyreducedsomewhatourardorandourdesperation,onlyplacedbeforeusintheirrealcolorsthegravefeaturesofthesituation.Weraisedaneatsumofmoney,Lincolnshowinghissinceritybyjoininginthesubscription,andforwardedittoourfriendsinKansas.

TheWhigparty,havingaccomplisheditsmissioninthepoliticalworld,wasnowontheeveofagreatbreak-up.Lincolnrealizedthisand,thoughproverbiallyslowinhismovements,preparedtofindafirmfootingwhenthegreatrushofwatersshouldcomeandthemaddeningfreshetsweepformerlandmarksoutofsight.OfthestrongestsignificanceinthisconnectionisaletterwrittenbyhimatthisjuncturetoanoldfriendinKentucky,whocalledtohisattentiontheirdifferencesofviewsonthewrongofslavery.Speakingofhisobservationofthetreatmentoftheslaves,hesays:"IconfessIhatetoseethepoorcreatureshunteddownandcaughtandcarriedbacktotheirunrequitedtoils;butIbitemylipsandkeepquiet.In1841youandIhadratheratediouslow-watertriponasteamboatfromLouisvilletoSt.Louis.Youmayremember,asIwelldo,thatfromLouisvilletothemouthoftheOhio,therewereonboardtenoradozenslavesshackledtogetherwithirons.Thatsightwasacontinuedtormenttome;andIseesomethinglikeiteverytimeItouchtheOhiooranyslaveborder.ItisnotfairforyoutoassumethatIhavenointerestin

athingwhichhas,andcontinuallyexercises,thepowerofmakingmemiserable.YououghtrathertoappreciatehowmuchthegreatbodyoftheNorthernpeopledocrucifytheirfeelingsinordertomaintaintheirloyaltytotheConstitutionandtheUnion.Idoopposetheextensionofslaverybecausemyjudgmentandfeelingsopromptme;andIamundernoobligationstothecontrary.IfforthisyouandImustdiffer,differwemust."

Findinghimselfdriftingaboutwiththedisorganizedelementsthatfloatedtogetheraftertheangrypoliticalwatershadsubsided,itbecameapparenttoLincolnthatifheexpectedtofigureasaleaderhemusttakeastandhimself.MerehatredofslaveryandoppositiontotheinjusticeoftheKansas-Nebraskalegislationwerenotallthatwere

requiredofhim.HemustbeaDemocrat,Know-Nothing,Abolitionist,orRepublican,orforeverfloataboutinthegreatpoliticalseawithoutcompass,rudder,orsail.Atlengthhedeclaredhimself.Believingthetimeswereripeformoreadvancedmovements,inthespringof1856Idrewupapaperforthefriendsoffreedomtosign,callingacountyconventioninSpringfieldtoselectdelegatesfortheforthcomingRepublicanStateconventioninBloomington.Thepaperwasfreelycirculatedandgenerouslysigned.Lincolnwasabsentatthetimeand,believingIknewwhathis"feelingandjudgment"onthevitalquestionsofthehourwere,Itookthelibertytosignhisnametothecall.ThewholewasthenpublishedintheSpringfieldJournal.NosoonerhaditappearedthanJohnT.Stuart,who,withothers,wasendeavoringtoretardLincolninhisadvancedmovements,rushedintotheofficeand

excitedlyaskedif"LincolnhadsignedthatAbolitioncallintheJournal?"Iansweredinthenegative,addingthatIhadsignedhisnamemyself.Tothequestion,"DidLincolnauthorizeyoutosignit?"Ireturnedanemphatic"No.""Then,"exclaimedthestartledandindignantStuart,"youhaveruinedhim."ButIwasbynomeansalarmedatwhatothersdeemedinconsiderateandhastyaction.IthoughtIunderstoodLincolnthoroughly,butinordertovindicatemyselfifassailedIimmediatelysatdown,afterStuarthadrushedoutoftheoffice,andwroteLincoln,whowastheninTazewellCountyattendingcourt,abriefaccountofwhatIhaddoneandhowmuchstiritwascreatinginthe


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ranksofhisconservativefriends.IfheapprovedordisapprovedmycourseIaskedhimtowriteortelegraphmeatonce.Inabrieftimecamehisanswer:"Allright;goahead.Willmeetyou--radicalsandall."Stuartsubsided,andtheconservativespiritswhohoveredaroundSpringfieldnolongerheldcontrolofthepoliticalfortunesofAbrahamLincoln.

TheRepublicanpartycameintoexistenceinIllinoisasapartyatBloomington,May29,1856.TheStateconventionofallopponentsofanti-Nebraskalegislation,referredtoinaforegoingparagraph,hadbeensetforthatday.Judd,Yates,Trumbull,Swett,andDaviswerethere;soalsowasLovejoy,who,likeOtisofcolonialfame,wasaflameoffire.ThefirmofLincolnandHerndonwasrepresentedbybothmembersinperson.ThegallantWilliamH.Bissell,whohadriddenattheheadoftheSecondIllinoisRegimentatthebattleofBuenaVistaintheMexicanwar,wasnominatedasgovernor.Theconventionadoptedaplatformringingwithstronganti-Nebraskasentiments,andthenandtheregavetheRepublicanpartyitsofficialchristening.Thebusinessoftheconventionbeingover,Mr.Lincoln,inresponsetorepeatedcalls,cameforwardanddeliveredaspeechofsuchearnestnessandpowerthatnoonewhohearditwilleverforgettheeffectitproduced.InreferringtothisspeechsomeyearsagoIusedthefollowingrathergraphiclanguage:"IhaveheardorreadallofMr.Lincoln'sgreatspeeches,andIgiveitasmyopinionthattheBloomingtonspeechwasthegrandeffortofhis

life.Heretoforehehadsimplyarguedtheslaveryquestionongroundsofpolicy,--thestatesman'sgrounds,--neverreachingthequestionoftheradicalandtheeternalright.Nowhewasnewlybaptizedandfreshlyborn;hehadthefervorofanewconvert;thesmotheredflamebrokeout;enthusiasmunusualtohimblazedup;hiseyeswereaglowwithaninspiration;hefeltjustice;hisheartwasalivetotheright;hissympathies,remarkablydeepforhim,burstforth,andhestoodbeforethethroneoftheeternalRight.Hisspeechwasfulloffireandenergyandforce;itwaslogic;itwaspathos;itwasenthusiasm;itwasjustice,equity,truth,andrightsetablazebythedivinefiresofasoulmaddenedbythewrong;itwashard,heavy,knotty,gnarly,backedwithwrath.Iattemptedforaboutfifteenminutesaswasusualwithmethentotakenotes,butattheendofthattimeIthrewpenandpaper

awayandlivedonlyintheinspirationofthehour.IfMr.Lincolnwassixfeet,fourincheshighusually,atBloomingtonthatdayhewassevenfeet,andinspiredatthat.Fromthatdaytothedayofhisdeathhestoodfirmintheright.Hefelthisgreatcross,hadhisgreatidea,nursedit,keptit,taughtittoothers,inhisfidelityborewitnessofittohisdeath,andfinallysealeditwithhispreciousblood."Theforegoingparagraph,usedbymeinalecturein1866,maytotheaveragereaderseemsomewhatvividindescription,besidesincliningtoextravaganceinimagery,yetalthoughmorethantwentyyearshavepassedsinceitwaswrittenIhaveneverseentheneedofalteringasinglesentence.Istilladheretothesubstantialtruthfulnessofthesceneasdescribed.UnfortunatelyLincoln'sspeechwasneverwrittenoutnorprinted,andweareobligedtodependforitsreproductionuponpersonal

recollection.

TheBloomingtonconventionandthepartLincolntookinitmetnosuchheartyresponseinSpringfieldaswehopedwouldfollow.Itfellflat,andinLincoln'scasedrovefromhimmanypersonswhohadheretoforebeenhiswarmpoliticalfriends.Afewdaysafterourreturnweannouncedameetingatthecourt-housetoratifytheactionoftheBloomingtonconvention.Aftertheusualeffortstodrawacrowd,however,onlythreepersonshadtemerityenoughtoattend.TheywereLincoln,thewriter,andacourageousmannamedJohnPain.Lincoln,in


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answertothe"deafeningcalls"foraspeech,respondedthatthemeetingwaslargerthanheknewitwouldbe,andthatwhileheknewthathehimselfandhispartnerwouldattendhewasnotsureanyoneelsewould,andyetanothermanhadbeenfoundbraveenoughtocomeout."Whileallseemsdead,"heexhorted,"theageitselfisnot.ItlivethassureasourMakerliveth.Underallthisseemingwantoflifeandmotion,theworlddoesmovenevertheless.Behopeful,andnowletusadjournandappealtothepeople."

NotonlyinSpringfieldbuteverywhereelsethefoundersoftheRepublicanparty--theapostlesoffreedom--wentouttobattlefortherighteousnessoftheircause.Lincoln,havingasusualbeennamedasoneofthePresidentialelectors,canvassedtheState,makinginallaboutfiftyspeeches.Hewasindemandeverywhere.Ihavebeforemeapackageoflettersaddressedtohim,invitinghimtospeakatalmosteverycountyseatintheState.YateswantedhimtogotoonesectionoftheState,Washburnetoanother,andTrumbullstillanother;whileeverycross-roadspoliticianandlegislativeaspirantwantedhim"downinourcountry,whereweneedyourhelp."JoshuaR.Giddingswrotehimwordsofencouragement."Youmaystart,"saidthevaliantoldAbolitionistinaletterfromPeoria,*"ontheonegreatissueofrestoringKansasandNebraskatofreedom,orratherofrestoringtheMissouriCompromise,andinthisStatenopoweronearthcanwithstandyouonthatissue."ThedemandforLincolnwasnotconfinedtohisownState.Indianasentfor

him,Wisconsinalso,whileNormanB.JuddandEbenezerPeck,whowerestumpingIowa,sentforhimtocomethere.

*J.R.Giddings,MS.letter,Sept.18,1855.

Atowncommitteeinvitedhimtocomeduring"ourEquestrianFaironthe9th,10th,and11th,"evidentlyanticipatingathreedays'siege.Anenthusiasticofficerinaneighboringtownurgeshim:"Cometoourplace,becauseinyoudoourpeopleplacemoreconfidencethaninanyotherman.Menwhodonotreadwantthestorytoldasyouonlycantellit.Othersmaymakefinespeeches,butitwouldnotbe'Lincolnsaidsoinhisspeech.'"AjubilantfriendinChicagowrites:"Pushonthecolumnoffreedom.GivetheBuckAfricansplentytodoinEgypt.The

hourofourredemptiondrawethnigh.WearecomingtoSpringfieldwith20,000majority!"Apostmaster,actingunderthecourageofhisconvictions,imploreshimtovisithisneighborhood."TheDemocratshere,"heinsists,"aredyedinthewool.Thunderandlightningwouldnotchangetheirpoliticalcomplexion.Iampostmasterhere,"headds,confidentially,"forwhichreasonImustaskyoutokeepthisprivate,forifoldFrank[PresidentPierce]weretohearofmysupportofFrmontIwouldgetmywalkingpaperssureenough."AsettlementofGermansinsouthernIndianaaskedtohearhim;andthepresidentofacollege,inaninvitationtoaddressthestudentsunderhischarge,characterizeshimas"oneprovidentiallyraisedupforatimelikethis,andevenshoulddefeatcomeinthecontest,itwouldbesomeconsolationtorememberwehadHectorforaleader."

Andthusitwaseverywhere.Lincoln'simportanceintheconductofthecampaignwasapparenttoall,andhiscanvasswascharacterizedbyhisusualvigorandeffectiveness.HewasespeciallynotedforhisattempttobreakdownthestrengthofFillmore,whowasnominatedasathirdpartycandidateandwasexpectedtodividetheRepublicanvote.HetriedtoweanawayFillmore'sadherentsbyanadroitandingeniousletter*senttothosesuspectedofthelatter'ssupport,andmarkedconfidential,inwhichhestrovetoshowthatinclingingtotheircandidatetheywerereallyaidingtheelectionofBuchanan.Butthe


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effortprovedunavailing,forinspiteofallhisargumentsandappealsalargenumberoftheFillmoremenclungtenaciouslytotheirleader,resultinginBuchanan'selection.ThevoteinIllinoisstood,Buchanan105,344,Frmont96,180,andFillmore37,451.AtthesametimeBissellwaselectedgovernorbyamajorityof4729overW.A.Richardson,Democrat.AftertheheatandburdenofthedayLincolnreturnedhome,bearingwithhimmoreandgreaterlaurelsthanever.Thesignsofthetimesindicated,andtheresultofthecanvassdemonstrated,thatheandhealonewaspowerfulenoughtomeettheredoubtableLittleGiantinagreaterconflictyettofollow.

*OneoftheseletterswhichLincolnwrotetocounteracttheFillmoremovementisstillinmypossession.AsitismoreorlesscharacteristicIcopyitentire:

"Springfield,September8,1856.

"HarrisonMaltby,Esq.

"DearSir:

"IunderstandyouareaFillmoreman.LetmeprovetoyouthateveryvotewithheldfromFrmontandgiventoFillmoreinthisStateactuallylessensFillmore'schanceofbeing

President."SupposeBuchanangetsalltheslaveStatesandPennsylvaniaandanyotheroneStatebesides;thenheiselected,nomatterwhogetsalltherest.ButsupposeFillmoregetsthetwoslaveStatesofMarylandandKentucky,thenBuchananisnotelected;FillmoregoesintotheHouseofRepresentativesandmaybemadePresidentbyacompromise.ButsupposeagainFillmore'sfriendsthrowawayafewthousandvotesonhiminIndianaandIllinois;itwillinevitablygivetheseStatestoBuchanan,whichwillmorethancompensatehimforthelossofMarylandandKentucky;itwillelecthim,andleaveFillmorenochanceintheHouseofRepresentativesoroutof

it.

"Thisisasplainasaddinguptheweightofthreesmallhogs.AsMr.FillmorehasnopossiblechancetocarryIllinoisforhimselfitisplainlytohisinteresttoletFrmonttakeitandthuskeepitoutofthehandsofBuchanan.Benotdeceived.Buchananisthehardhorsetobeatinthisrace.LethimhaveIllinois,andnothingcanbeathim;andhewillgetIllinoisifmenpersistinthrowingawayvotesuponMr.Fillmore.DoessomeonepersuadeyouthatMr.FillmorecancarryIllinois?Nonsense!ThereareoverseventynewspapersinIllinoisopposingBuchanan,onlythreeorfourofwhichsupportMr.Fillmore,

alltherestgoingforFrmont.Arenotthesenewspapersafairindexoftheproportionofthevotes?Ifnot,tellmewhy.

"Again,ofthesethreeorfourFillmorenewspapers,twoatleastaresupportedinpartbytheBuchananmen,asIunderstand.Donottheyknowwheretheshoepinches?TheyknowtheFillmoremovementhelpsthem,andthereforetheyhelpit.


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"Dothinkthesethingsoverandthenactaccordingtoyourjudgment.

"Yoursverytruly,

"A.LINCOLN."[Confidential.]

CHAPTERIII.

ISHALLbeforcedtoomitmuchthathappenedduringtheintervalbetweentheelectionofBuchananandthecampaignof1858,forthereasonthatitwouldnotonlyswellthisworktoundueproportions,butbeamererepetitionofwhathasbeenbettertoldbyotherwriters.Itispropertonoteinpassing,however,thatMr.Lincoln'sreputationasapoliticalspeakerwasnolongerboundedbytheborderlinesofIllinois.IthadpassedbeyondtheWabash,theOhio,andtheMississippirivers,andwhilehispronouncedstandontheslaveryquestionhadincreasedthecircleofhisadmirersintheNorthitprovokedaproportionateamountofexecrationintheSouth.HecouldnothelpthefeelingthathewasnowtheleadingRepublicaninhisState,andhewasthereforemoreorlessjealousofhisprerogative.Formidableindebate,plainin

speech,withoutpretenceofliteraryacquirements,hewasnonethelessself-reliant.HealreadyenviedtheascendancyanddominationDouglasexercisedoverhisfollowers,andfeltkeenlytheslightgivenhimbyothersofhisownfaithwhomheconceivedweredisposedtopreventhisattainingtheleadershipofhisparty.Irememberearlyin1858ofhiscomingintotheofficeonemorningandspeakinginverydejectedtermsofthetreatmenthewasreceivingatthehandsofHoraceGreeley."IthinkGreeley,"hecomplained,"isnotdoingmeright.Hisconduct,Ibelieve,savorsalittleofinjustice.IamatrueRepublicanandhavebeentriedalreadyinthehottestpartoftheanti-slaveryfight,andyetIfindhimtakingupDouglas,averitabledodger,--onceatooloftheSouth,nowitsenemy,--andpushinghimtothefront.Heforgetsthatwhenhedoesthathepullsmedownatthesametime.IfearGreeley's

attitudewilldamagemewithSumner,Seward,Wilson,Phillips,andotherfriendsintheEast."ThiswassaidwithsomuchofmingledsadnessandearnestnessthatIwasdeeplyimpressed.Lincolnwasgloomyandrestlesstheentireday.Greeley'slettersweredrivingtheenthusiasmoutofhim.*

*Greeley'sletterswereverypointedandsometimessavage.Hereisone;"IhavenotproposedtoinstructtheRepublicansofIllinoisintheirpoliticalduties,andIdoubtverymuchthatevensomuchasisimpliedinyourlettercanbefairlydeducedfromanythingIhavewritten.Nowletmemakeoneprediction.Ifyourunacandidate[forCongress]againstHarrisandheisabletocanvasshewill

beatyoubadly.HeismoreofamanatheartandmorallythanDouglas,andhasgoneintothisfightwithmoreearnestnessandlesscalculation.OfthewholeDouglaspartyheisthetruestandbest.Ineverspokeadozenwordswithhiminmylife,havingmethimbutonce,butifIlivedinhisdistrictIshouldvoteforhim.AsIhaveneverspokenofhiminmypaper,andsupposeInevershall,Itakethelibertytosaythismuchtoyou.Nowpaddleyourowndug-out!


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"Yours,

"HoraceGreeley."

Heseemedunwillingtoattendtoanybusiness,andfinally,justbeforenoon,lefttheoffice,goingovertotheUnitedStatesCourtroomtoplayagameofchesswithJudgeTreat,anddidnotreturnagainthatday.IponderedagooddealoverLincoln'sdejection,andthatnight,afterweighingthematterwellinmind,resolvedtogototheeasternStatesmyselfandendeavortosoundsomeofthegreatmenthere.Thenextday,onapprisingLincolnofmydetermination,hequestioneditspropriety.Ourrelations,heinsisted,weresointimatethatawrongconstructionmightbeputuponthemovement.Ilistenedcarefullytohim,butasIhadneverbeenbeyondtheAlleghaniesIpackedmyvaliseandwent,notwithstandinghisobjections.IhadbeenincorrespondenceonmyownaccountwithGreeley,Seward,Sumner,Phillips,andothersforseveralyears,hadkepttheminformedofthefeelingsofourpeopleandthepoliticalcampaignsintheirvariousstages,buthadnevermetanyofthemsaveGreeley.Ienjoyedheartilythejourneyandthevariedsightsandscenesthatattendedit.Asidefrommymission,thetripwasagreatsuccess.Themagnificentbuildings,thedisplayofwealthinthelargecitiesandprosperousmanufacturingtowns,broadenedtheviewsofonewhosevisionhadneverextendedbeyondthelimitsoftheIllinoisprairies.InWashingtonIsawanddinedwithTrumbull,whowentoverthe

situationwithme.TrumbullhadwrittentoLincolnshortlybefore*thathethoughtit"uselesstospeculateuponthefurthercourseofDouglasortheeffectitistohaveinIllinoisorotherStates.Hehimselfdoesnotknowwhereheisgoingorwherehewillcomeout."

*Letter,December25,1857,MS.

AtmyinterviewwithTrumbull,however,hedirectedmetoassureMr.LincolnthatDouglasdidnotmeantojointheRepublicanparty,howevergreatthebreachbetweenhimselfandtheadministrationmightbe."WeRepublicanshere,"hesaidexultinglyinanotherlettertoLincoln,"areingoodspirits,andarestandingbacktoletthefightgoonbetweenDouglasandhisformerassociates.Lincolnwilllosenothingbythis

ifhecankeeptheattentionofourIllinoispeoplefrombeingdivertedfromthegreatandvitalquestionofthedaytotheminorandtemporaryissueswhicharenowbeingdiscussed."*

*Letter,December27,1857,MS.

InWashingtonIsawalsoSeward,Wilson,andothersofequalprominence.Douglaswasconfinedtohishousebyillness,butonreceivingmycardhedirectedmetobeshownuptohisroom.Wehadapleasantandinterestinginterview.OfcoursetheconversationsoonturnedonLincoln.InanswertoaninquiryregardingthelatterIremarkedthatLincolnwaspursuingtheeventenorofhisway."Heisnotinanybody'sway,"Icontended,"noteveninyours,JudgeDouglas."Hewassittingup

inachairsmokingacigar.BetweenpuffsherespondedthatneitherwasheinthewayofLincolnoranyoneelse,anddidnotintendtoinviteconflict.Heconceivedthathehadachievedwhathehadsetouttodo,andhencedidnotfeelthathiscourseneedputhiminoppositiontoMr.Lincolnorhisparty."GiveMr.Lincolnmyregards,"hesaid,ratherwarmly,"whenyoureturn,andtellhimIhavecrossedtheriverandburnedmyboat."LeavingWashington,mynextpointwasNewYork,whereImettheeditoroftheAnti-SlaveryStandard,HoraceGreeley,HenryWardBeecher,andothers.IhadalongtalkwithGreeley,who,Inoticed,leanedtowardsDouglas.Ifound,however,hewasnotatall


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hostiletoLincoln.

Ipresentedthelatter'scaseinthebestphaseIknewhow,butwhileIdrewbutlittlefromhim,Ileftfeelingthathehadn'tbeenentirelywonover.HeintroducedmetoBeecher,who,aseverybodyelsedid,inquiredafterLincolnandthroughmesenthimwordsofencouragementandpraise.*

*Lincoln'sgreatestfearwasthatDouglasmightbetakenupbytheRepublicans.SenatorSeward,whenImethiminWashington,assuredmetherewasnodangerofit,insistingthattheRepublicansnoranyoneelsecouldplaceanyrelianceonamansoslipperyasDouglas.

FromNewYorkIwenttoBoston,andfromthelatterplaceIwroteLincolnaletterwhichhappilyIfoundnotlongsinceinabundleofLincoln'sletters,andwhichIinserthere,believingitaffordsabetterreflexofthesituationatthetimethananythingImightseefittosaynow.Hereitis:

"RevereHouse,

"Boston,Mass.,March24,1858.

"FriendLincoln."Iaminthiscityofnotions,andamwell--verywellindeed.IwroteyouahastyletterfromWashingtonsomedaysago,sincewhichtimeIhavebeeninPhiladelphia,Baltimore,NewYork,andnowhere.IsawGreeley,andsofarasanyofourconversationisinterestingtoyouIwillrelate.Andwetalked,saytwentyminutes.HeevidentlywantsDouglassustainedandsentbacktotheSenate.Hedidnotsaysoinsomanywords,yethisfeelingsarewithDouglas.Iknowitfromthespiritanddriftofhisconversation.Hetalkedbitterly--somewhatso--againstthepapersinIllinois,andsaidtheywerefools.Iaskedhimthisquestion,'Greeley,doyouwanttoseeathirdpartyorganized,ordoyouwantDouglastoridetopowerthroughtheNorth,whichhehasso

muchabusedandbetrayed?andtowhichhereplied,'Letthefuturealone;itwillallcomeright.Douglasisabraveman.Forgetthepastandsustaintherighteous'GoodGod,righteous,eh!

"SinceIhavelandedinBostonIhaveseenmuchthatwasentertainingandinteresting.ThismorningIwasintroducedtoGovernorBanks.HeandIhadaconversationaboutRepublicanismandespeciallyaboutDouglas.Heaskedmethisquestion,'YouwillsustainDouglasinIllinois,wontyou?'andtowhichIsaid'No,never!'Heaffectedtobemuchsurprised,andsothematterdroppedandturnedonRepublicanism,oringeneral--Lincoln.Greeley'sandothersheetsthatlaudDouglas,Harris,etal.,wantthemsustained,andwilltrytodoit.SeveralpersonshaveaskedmethesamequestionwhichBanksasked,andevidentlytheyget

theircue,ideas,orwhatnotfromGreeley,Seward,etal.By-the-bye,Greeleyremarkedtomethis,'TheRepublicanstandardistoohigh;wewantsomethingpractical.'

"Thismaynotbeinterestingtoyou,but,howeveritmaybe,itismydutytostatewhatisgoingon,sothatyoumayheaditoff--counteractitinsomeway.Ihopeitcanbedone.TheNorthernmenarecoldtome--somewhatrepellent.

"Yourfriend,


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"W.H.Herndon."

OnmyreturnhomeIhadencouragingnewstorelate.ItoldLincolnofthefavorablementionIhadheardofhimbyPhillips,Sumner,Seward,Garrison,Beecher,andGreeley.IbroughtwithmeadditionalsermonsandlecturesbyTheodoreParker,whowaswarminhiscommendationofLincoln.Oneofthesewasalectureon"TheEffectofSlaveryontheAmericanPeople,"whichwasdeliveredintheMusicHallinBoston,andwhichIgavetoLincoln,whoreadandreturnedit.Helikedespeciallythefollowingexpression,whichhemarkedwithapencil,andwhichheinsubstanceafterwardsusedinhisGettysburgaddress:"Democracyisdirectself-government,overallthepeople,forallthepeople,byallthepeople."

Meanwhile,passingbyothereventswhichhavebecomeinterwoveninthehistoryoftheland,wereachApril,1858,atwhichtimetheDemocraticStateconventionmetand,besidesnominatingcandidatesforStateoffices,endorsedMr.Douglas'servicesintheSenate,therebyvirtuallyrenominatinghimforthatexaltedoffice.IntheverynatureofthingsLincolnwasthemanalreadychosenintheheartsoftheRepublicansofIllinoisforthesameoffice,andthereforewithsingularappropriatenesstheypassed,withgreatunanimity,attheirconventioninSpringfieldonthe16thofJune,thecharacteristicresolution:"That

Hon.AbrahamLincolnisourfirstandonlychoiceforUnitedStatesSenatortofillthevacancyabouttobecreatedbytheexpirationofMr.Douglas'termofoffice."TherewasofcoursenosurpriseinthisforMr.Lincoln.Hehadbeenallalongledtoexpectit,andwiththatinviewhadbeenearnestlyandquietlyatworkpreparingaspeechinacknowledgmentofthehonorabouttobeconferredonhim.Thisspeechhewroteonstrayenvelopesandscrapsofpaper,asideassuggestedthemselves,puttingthemintothatmiscellaneousandconvenientreceptacle,hishat.Astheconventiondrewnearhecopiedthewholeonconnectedsheets,carefullyrevisingeverylineandsentence,andfastenedthemtogether,forreferenceduringthedeliveryofthespeech,andforpublication.Theformerprecaution,however,wasunnecessary,forhehadstudiedandreadoverwhathehadwrittensolongand

carefullythathewasabletodeliveritwithouttheleasthesitationordifficulty.Afewdaysbeforetheconvention,whenhewasatworkonthespeech,IrememberthatJesseK.Dubois,*whowasAuditorofState,cameintotheofficeand,seeingLincolnbusilywriting,inquiredwhathewasdoingorwhathewaswriting.

*"AftertheconventionLincolnmetmeonthestreetandsaid,'Dubois,IcantellyounowwhatIwasdoingtheotherdaywhenyoucameintomyoffice.Iwaswritingthatspeech,andIknewifIreadthepassageaboutthe"housedividedagainstitself"toyou,youwouldaskmetochangeormodifyit,andthatIwasdeterminednottodo.Ihadwilleditso,andwaswillingifnecessarytoperishwithit."--Statement

ofJesseK.Dubois,MS.

Lincolnansweredgruffly,"It'ssomethingyoumayseeorhearsometime,butI'llnotletyouseeitnow."Imyselfknewwhathewaswriting,buthavingaske

abraham lincoln volume ii by william h. herndon

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