Page images
PDF
EPUB

tucky; to Judge S. T. Logan, Hon. Jesse K. Dubois, Rev. A. Hale, and Hon. Erastus Wright, old neighbors and friends of Mr. Lincoln in Illinois; to Rev. J. T. Duryea, of New York; and George H. Stuart, Esq., of Philadelphia. To these, and to the unnamed but not forgotten friends who have aided me, I return my hearty thanks.

Putnam's "Record of the Rebellion" has proved itself an inexhaustible fountain of valuable and interesting facts; and I have been much indebted to McPherson's History of the Rebellion, the best arranged and most complete collection of public documents relating to the war that has been published. I have freely consulted the campaign biographies of Messrs. Scripps, Raymond, and Barrett, to the excellence of which I bear cheerful testimony. Among other books that have been useful to me, are Nichols' "Story of the Great March," Coggeshall's "Journeys of Abraham Lincoln," Schalk's "Campaigns of 1862 and 1863," and Halsted's "Caucuses of 1860." Carpenter's "Reminiscences," published in the New York Independent, and an article by Noah Brooks in Harper's Magazine, have furnished me also with some very interesting materials.

Hoping that the volume will be as pleasant, instructive and inspiring in the reading as it has been in the writing, I present it to my indulgent friends, the American people.

J. G. H.

SPRINGFIELD, MASS., November, 1865.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

EARLY MANHOOD.

Marriages in Thomas Lincoln's Family-Marriage and Death of Abraham's Sister-
Removal of Thomas Lincoln to Illinois-Difficulties of the Journey-Abraham as-
sists in building a Log House and in splitting Rails-He leaves Home-Works for
hire, Chopping Wood and Farming-Anecdote-Thomas Lincoln removes to Coles
County His death-Abraham goes to New Orleans with a Cargo of Swine-He is
employed in a Store at New Salem-Anecdotes illustrating his Honesty-His Pun-
ishment of a Bully-His Adventure with the "Clary's Grove Boys"-He studies
English Grammar-Attends Debating Clubs-Anecdote-His Employer fails, and
the Store is closed-Mr. Lincoln is called “Honest Abe,”

38.

Black Hawk-His Treachery-Governor Reynolds calls for Volunteers-Lincoln enlists
-He is chosen Captain-His Popularity with the Soldiers-Forced Marches-
"Stillman's Defeat"-Flight of the Indians-Volunteers Discharged-Lincoln re-
enlists-Capture of Black Hawk-Lincoln's Speech on General Cass-Mr. Lincoln
becomes a Candidate for the Legislature-He is Defeated-Purchases a Store, but
fails in Business-Is appointed Postmaster-Anecdote illustrating his Honesty-He
becomes a Surveyor,

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

CHARACTER OF MR. LINCOLN ON ENTERING PUBLIC LIFE.
Mr. Lincoln was a Self-made Man-Loyal to his Convictions-Marked and Peculiar-
Anecdotes-He was Respected and Loved-A Man of Practical Expedients-Anec-
dote-Mr. Lincoln was a Religious Man-His Faith in Divine Providence-His Log-
ical and Reasoning Powers-He was Child-like,

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Mr. Lincoln becomes a Law-partner of Major Stuart, and removes to Springfield-Re-
elected to the Legislature in 1838-Political Parties in Illinois-Mr. Lincoln's Stories
-The Member from Wabash County-"Riding the Circuit" in Illinois-Mr. Lin-
coln's Ability as a Lawyer-His Regard for Justice-Mr. Lincoln and the Pig-His
Power as an Advocate-His "Colt Case" in the Coles Circuit Court-His Exception-
able Stories-His Regard for Poor Relatives,

[ocr errors]
[merged small][ocr errors]

MR. LINCOLN IN CONGRESS.-THE MEXICAN WAR.
Mr. Lincoln nominated for Congress in 1846-He “Stumps" his District-Elected by a
large Majority-His fitness for the Position-The old Whig Party and the Mexican
War-Mr. Lincoln's Resolutions-Mr. Hudson's Resolution-Mr. Lincoln's Speech,
January 12th, 1818-Defense of the Postmaster-general--Mr. Lincoln a member of

the Whig Convention of 1848-Advocates the nomination of General Taylor-Speech
in Congress on the Candidates for the Presidency-Correspondence with the Whig
Leaders in Illinois-Speeches during the Canvass-Second Session of the Thirtieth
Congress-Mr. Lincoln's Position on the Slavery Question-He seeks for the Posi-
tion of Commissioner of the General Land Office, but fails,
99

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Mr. Lincoln returns to the Practice of his Profession-His Affection for his Children-
His Absent-mindedness--He Studies Euclid-His Mechanical Skill-Anecdotes il-
lustrating his Practice of Law-Opinions of Judge Caton, Judge Breese, Judge
Drummond, and Judge Davis-Mr. Lincoln's Eulogy on Henry Clay-Admission of
California as a Free State-"Compromise Measures" of 1850-Election of Mr. Pierce
to the Presidency-Repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and Passage of the Kansas-
Nebraska Bill-Judge Douglas and Popular Sovereignty-Meeting of Douglas and
Lincoln at Springfield-At Peoria-Extract from Mr. Lincoln's Speech at Peoria-
Overthrow of the Democratic Party in Illinois-Election of Mr. Trumbull to the
United States Senate,
124

[ocr errors]

ORGANIZATION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

Affairs in Kansas-Border Ruffians-Letter of Mr. Lincoln to Mr. Speed-State of the
Slavery Question-Mr. Lincoln attends a State Convention at Bloomington-Repub-
lican Party organized in Illinois-Mr. Lincoln's Speech at the Convention-Mr. Lin-
coln a Candidate for the Vice-presidency at the National Republican Convention
of 1856-Speech at Charleston, Illinois-Speech of Mr. Douglas at Springfield-Mr.
Lincoln's Reply-The Lecompton Constitution-Position of Mr. Douglas,

CONTEST FOR THE SENATORSHIP.

[ocr errors]

144

Sketch of the previous History of Stephen A. Douglas-Mr. Lincoln's Opinion of him-
Mr. Douglas opposes the Lecompton Constitution-Democratic State Convention-
Eastern Republicans favor Mr. Douglas' Re-election-Views of the Republican
Party in Illinois-Republican State Convention-Resolution on the Dred Scott De-
cision and the Power of Congress over the Territories-Mr. Lincoln Nominated for
United States Senator-His Speech before the Convention-Speech of Mr. Douglas
at Chicago-His Misrepresentations of Mr. Lincoln-His Views on the Dred Scott
Decision-Mr. Lincoln's Reply-Illustrations of his Tact and Wit,
154

[ocr errors]


[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

State of the Country in 1860-Southern Leaders Preparing for Secession-Knights of the
Golden Circle-Church and Press at the South-Cobb and Floyd-Opinions at the
North-Democratic Convention at Charleston-Mr. Yancey and the" Fire-eaters
Division of the Convention-Both Factions Adjourn without making Nominations-
National Constitutional Union Convention at Baltimore-Bell and Everett nominated
-Breckinridge nominated by the Fire-eaters, and Douglas by the regular Democratie
Convention-Mr. Lincoln's Story-Republican Convention at Chicago-Prominent
Candidates for the Nomination-The Party Platform-Balloting for President-Nom-
ination of Lincoln-Enthusiasm of the Convention and of the Spectators-Disap-
pointment of Mr. Seward's friends-Reception of the News at Springfield-The
Committee of the Convention visit Mr. Lincoln-Speech of Mr. Ashmun, the Chair-
man-Reply of Mr. Lincoln-His Letter Accepting the Nomination, .
216

[ocr errors]

THE CAMPAIGN.-MR. LINCOLN'S ELECTION.

Mr. Lincoln visited by Multitudes of People-Anecdotes--The Prospect for the Future
-Mr. Lincoln's Views of the Duties of Christians and Ministers-His Conversation
with Mr. Bateman-His Religious Faith and Convictions-Apparent Contradictions
in Character-The Election of Mr. Lincoln Regarded as Certain-Course of the South-
ern Leaders-Silence of Mr. Lincoln during the Campaign-Election of Mr. Lincoln
-Popular Rejoicing at the North, and Exasperation at the South-Feeling of the
Republican Party-Effect upon Mr. Lincoln-An Optical Illusion-Visit to Chicago
-Anecdotes illustrating Mr. Lincoln's Love of Children-" Cabinet-making”—Mr.
Lincoln's Views,

[ocr errors]

232

MR. LINCOLN'S JOURNEY TO WASHINGTON.
Enormity of the Rebellion-Floyd-Black-Buchanan--Secession of several States-
Forts and Arsenals seized-Position of Mr. Stanton and Mr. Holt-Attempts to con-
ciliate the South-Condition of the Country-Mr. Lincoln leaves Springfield for
Washington-His Farewell Speech-His Speech at Indianapolis-Journey to Cin-
cinnati-Speeches at Cincinnati-Reception at Columbus-At Pittsburg-At Cleve-
land-At Buffalo-At Albany-At Poughkeepsie-At New York-At Trenton-At
Philadelphia-Plot against the President's Life-His Speech at Independence Hall
-Reception at Harrisburg-Journey to Washington,

+

249

« PreviousContinue »