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ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Sixteenth President of the United States, was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, on the 12th of February, 1809. His early home was one of extreme poverty, but of strict virtue. His mother, an intelligent Christian lady, taught him to read and write. In 1816 his parents removed to what is now Spencer County, Indiana. Here he received a few months of schooling, the only advantages of that kind he ever enjoyed. His youth was characterized by stalwart physical growth, by great industry, honesty, and a thirst for learning.

In 1830 his father removed to Decatur County, Ill., and established himself on an uncultivated farm. Here Abraham split rails for fencing, which, in later years, gave him the

title of "rail-splitter." During these years he mastered all the books within his reach, and hungered for more.

In 1832, he served as captain of volunteers in the war against Black Hawk, and two years later he was elected to the Legislature of Illinois, where he continued four years. In 1836, he was admitted to the bar, and the following year opened an office at Springfield, and gradually rose to the first rank as an attorney. In politics he was a Whig in his early years, and in 1844 canvassed the State for Henry Clay. In 1846, he was elected to Congress. In 1848, he canvassed the State for Gen. Taylor, and in 1858, he canvassed it again in opposition to Judge Douglas for the U. S. Senatorship.

In 1860, he was nominated by the Republicans for the Presidency, and elected, by a minority of the people, three other tickets being in the field. His election was made the occasion for the secession of States, and the attempt to destroy the Union, which President Buchanan did not prevent. Finding that nothing but armed force could hold the States together, he reluctantly accepted the issue, mustering hundreds of thousands of troops, and waging through his first term a war of astounding magnitude, resulting in the complete triumph of the Federal authority. His Emancipation Proclamation, a war measure, taking effect January, 1863, obliterated chattel slavery forever in the United States.

He was re-elected by an immense popular majority in 1864, but was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, April 14th, 1865. He gathered around him in office the greatest minds. He was honest, fearless, pure,—a statesman and a patriot.

ANDREW JOHNSON, Vice-President, succeeded Mr. Lincoln, and thus became the Fifteenth President of the U. S. He was born at Raleigh, N. C., Dec. 29th, 1808. His family was so poor that he received no public schooling, and at ten was apprenticed to a tailor. He married and settled at Greenville, Tenn. His wife became his instructor, and he soon became mayor of the town, after which he was elected to the Legislature, and went from that to Congress, where he remained for several years. He served several years in the U. S. Senate, and in 1862 was made Military Governor of Tennessee. Though previously a rigid pro-Slavery Democrat, he changed his politics and was elected on the ticket with Mr. Lincoln. Soon after his installation as President, a painful disagreement arose between him and Congress, which unhappily continued through his entire administration. He died July 30th, 1875.

HANNIBAL HAMLIN was born at Paris, Me., Aug. 27, 1809. He spent his earlier years on his father's farm, commenced the study of law when 21; and was admitted to the bar in 1833, was a member of the Maine Legislature four years, twice elected to Congress and to the U. S. Senate, in 1848 was re-elected two subsequent terms of six years each. In 1857 was elected Governor of Maine and Vice-President in 1860.

CANDIDATES For PresidenT AND VICE-PRES., 14TH ADм.
For President. | From. | For Vice-Pres. | From. | Politics.
|
Abraham Lincoln, Ill. Hannibal Hamlin, Me. Repub.
J. C. Breckenridge, Ky.
Stephen A. Douglas, Ill.
John Bell,

James Lane,
H. V. Johnson,

Oreg. Dem.

Ga. Dem.

Tenn.

Edward Everett, Mass. Union,

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Number of States voting, first term thirty-three. Minnesota

and Oregon admitted during previous term.

Whole number

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SECOND TERM.-Number of States voting, 25. South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Texas being in rebellion, did not vote. Since last election Kansas, West Virginia and Nebraska were admitted. Whole number of Electors, 233.

For President.

Abraham Lincoln, 3,213,035 votes. Electoral votes, 212. Geo. B. McClellan, 1,811,734 " ❝6 21

66

For Vice-President.

Andrew Johnson, 212 Electoral votes.

Geo. H. Pendleton, 21 66

66

President Lincoln died April 15th, 1865, and Vice-Presi dent Johnson became President, and L. S. Foster, of Conn., became acting Vice-President.

Important Events of the 14th Administration. 1861 March 4. Abraham Lincoln inaugurated President. War of the Rebellion. See Contents for prominent events of the War. See Contents for Battles of the Rebellion.

John A. Dix, Secretary of Treasury, dispatch to
New Orleans: "If any man attempt to haul down
the American flag, shoot him on the spot.”
June 10. Napoleon III. proclaims neutrality in the
U. S. conflict.

Nov. 30. The British minister, Lord Lyon, ordered
to leave the country if the confederate com-
missioners, Mason and Slidel, were not released
within seven days.

Dec. 30. N.Y. banks suspend specie payment, followed by other cities-silver resumed fifteen years later, May, 1876, by act of Congress.

1862 July 1. 1863 Jan. 1.

The President calls for 300,000 more troops. President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect (issued Sept. 22, 1862). June 20. West Virginia admitted into the Union. July 13-16. Great Draft Riots in N. Y. and other cities.

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