and maintain in his future life. This debate, and other questions in which Lincoln occasionally took a part in the debating club, gave him notoriety and distinction with the public and prepared the way for an early recognition of his abilities and principles.

Lincoln's mode of address on any subject which he desired to enforce or illustrate was usually of a plain and unimpassioned character. He reasoned by comparison and analogy and made his points by apt illustrations and with that sincerity and earnestness of manner which usually carried conviction to the minds of his hearers. A current of humor, which was a peculiar characteristic of the man, was often interwoven in his conversation and illustrations of any subject, and this became more noted in his political speeches and addresses later in his life.

One of the most pleasant and amiable traits of Lincoln's character was his modest estimate of his own powers and acquisitions, and this was marked in his early life. There was an entire absence of self-importance and conceit, while truthfulness and the simplicity of childhood were the germs of that power which gave him success and popularity, and which has no precedent or similitude in the history of the distinguished men of our country.

Athletic and active, Lincoln occasionally, as opportunity offered and business and study would permit, joined in the field and out-door sports of which young men are fond. He participated in these pastimes with zest and pleasure, and on those occasions his presence was always welcomed with pleasure by his associates, and in the adjustment of all questions or disputes arising in their sports or plays, Lincoln was usually selected as umpire, and his rulings were given so humorously and kindly that they seldom failed to give satisfaction to all. These amusements, however, were only occasionally indulged in by Lincoln. They were never allowed to interfere with his duties or studies. He had early resolved that his leisure hours must be chiefly devoted to the acquirement of practical knowledge and useful information. Naturally of a jovial and merry temperament in his youth, it was remarkable that he only, on special occasions, spent any evenings in social amusements or entertainments, and in this resolution he was immovable, and no prospect or promise of pleasure could draw him from the hours devoted to his books and the course and means he had adopted to obtain practical and useful knowledge. With such interest and devotion did he employ his time in study and manual labor, denying himself of those pleasures and amusements that young men usually consider necessary and essential, that he could truly have said with one of the ancient sages, "What others give to public shows and entertainments, to festivities and amusements, nay, even to mental and bodily rest, I give to study and philosophy." His physical labors were preparing him for that mental and

corporal endurance which the severe and important toil that his subseqenut life demanded, and his reading and studies were preparing his mind and forming his principles for the great work which was in the unseen future before him.

From the life of Washington and the teachings of the Fathers of the Republic he imbibed those immortal principles which fired his heart to an honorable emulation and a true patriotism until he had conceived and obtained that spirit which constituted him a true leader and wise counselor. The life of the great commoner and statesman, Henry Clay, and his speeches in Congress, were read and admired by Lincoln, and from the teachings of that eminent statesman he received his first political lessons, and his political principles he early espoused and firmly adhered to during his life. The science of government and train of thought which he received from that distinguished civilian closely identified him with the interest and heart of the common people, and as one of them, he understood their wants and feelings, and early in life he formed and cherished those resolves and principles which had for their object and aim the enfranchisement of the oppressed, the elevation of free labor and toil and the amelioration of the race.

Thus, day by day, amidst the sturdy pioneers of the great West, was he preparing and putting on the armor, offensive and defensive, which coming events rendered appropriate and necessary. One has said, "Lap of luxury and hours of ease send not forth the arms that move the world; he who is drawn aloft by the force of circumstances becomes the noblest soul and the mightiest power." The teachings and surroundings of his early life, with its varied struggles, had made him one of the laboring classes, and no elevation in society or office diminished his respect or severed his connection with the men of labor and toil. Closely identified with the common people, he fully realized the principle which through his life he ever maintained, that in our Republican Government, where the people are the sovereigns, labor should be honored and receive its apropriate reward. With the yeomanry of the Prairie State, already the great work of Lincoln's life had began. The simple debate in the debating club, in the log store in New Salem, indicated the principles and sentiments which, in their fruition, have made his name immortal, and his country, in prosperity and grandeur, the most sublime and exalted among the nations of the earth.

In closing this chapter we may note some characteristics of Lincoln which were apparent only to his most intimate friends. He was ambitious in the fullest sense of the word. He desired the respect, the confidence and approbation of his fellow citizens. He desired peace, power and preferment above

his fellows, and for this he had labored, struggled, and had succeeded. In this he was ambitious, but in all this he sought to promote the interests and welfare of the people, to secure their respect and regard, and their approval and commendation of the principles and policy he advocated and entertained. He was very secretive, cautious and reserved in communicating his desires, plans and expectations to any one. He seldom disclosed his political schemes or purposes to his most intimate friends-never until in his own mind he had matured his plans and resolved on their execution. To his fellow citizens he did not appear as a politician and schemer; still he was wonderfully full of politics and policy. To the close observer and student of his administration there will be found more policy in it than in any preceding administration in our country's history. We may give a notable incident illustrating this secretive characteristic of Lincoln, which occurred during his remarkable contest with Douglas. During their celebrated debates Lincoln had prepared some interrogatories which he proposed to present to Douglas. His friends, on their examination of them, remonstrated. They said: "If you put that question to him he will perceive that an answer giving practical force and effect to the Dred Scott decision in the Territories inevitably loses him the battle, and he will therefore reply by offering the decision as an abstract principle, denying its practical application." Lincoln replied: "If he does that he never can be President." His friends replied: "That is not your lookout. You are after the Senatorship." Lincoln said: "No, gentlemen, I am killing larger game. The battle of 1860 is worth a hundred of this." This answer startled his friends, as it was the first intimation they had` that he had thoughts and aspirations for the Presidency.

The answer of Douglas was as he probably anticipated, and the results that followed were equal to his most ardent and sanguine expectations.

CHAPTER V.

EARLY MILITARY RECORD-BLACK HAWK WAR.

In 1832 Black Hawk, Chief of the Sacs and Foxes, with his warriors, in violation of the treaty made with him at Rock Island, in 1831, returned from the Territory of Iowa to Illinois, on Rock river, causing much alarm, and committed many depredations on the inhabitants. The Governor of Illinois called for volunteers to act in concert with the regular troops, to repel the invasion. Lincoln, being now out of employment, was one of the first toenlist in a company that was being raised at New Salem. As soon as the company was filled an election for officers was ordered and held, and Lincoln was elected Captain of the company, without opposition. Thể volunteers were mounted and were called out for sixty days, and Lincoln, with his company, was ordered to join the battalion to which it was attached, at Beardstown, from which point they marched to Rock river, to join the main army, near Rock Island. On arriving at this point the volunteers, not waiting for the regular troops, continued their march up Rock river, forty miles, to Dixon's Ferry. They were joined here by two battalions of mounted volunteers from Peoria, who had gone into camp the evening previous on Sycamore creek, twenty miles distant, and while in camp they were surprised and attacked by Black Hawk and his band, and driven from their camp, with the loss of eleven men. This rout is known in history

as Stillman's defeat. The attack was made between sunset and dark, and was a complete surprise. The volunteers, having pitched their camp for the night, were in the act of staking out their horses, and the cooks were preparing supper, when the Indians came upon them with their yells and war whoops. The volunteers took no method in the order of their going-many on horseback without saddles, others on foot-all in disorder and panic stricken. Many continued their retreat until they reached the main camp, twenty miles distant. A council of war was immediately held, and General Whitesides, the chief in command of the volunteers, ordered an immediate march to the battle ground, but the savages, anticipating the movement, had left the field,

laden with the spoils of victory, after having enjoyed a hearty supper. The volunteers of the State went into camp near the battlefield, where they remained several days, awaiting the arrival of the regular troops. In the sports and diversions of the camp, the New Salem company soon became the most noted for its athletic amusements, and Captain Lincoln as the best story teller and relater of anecdotes which the corps produced, and his headquarters soon became famous for its jollity and genial companionship.

In a few days the regular troops arrived and joined the volunteers, when efforts were made to overtake the Indians, but without success. They broke up into different bands, one of which made an attack on a settlement near Ottowa, killing fifteen persons and taking captive two young women. Before the Indians could be found or reached the term of service of the volunteers expired and they were discharged, and many returned home. Others remained under a new call. With these was Captain Lincoln, who had volunteered for the war, and proposed to remain in the service until the Indians were subdued. A month of marching and pursuit followed, with no decisive results. Some fighting occurred near Galena and at Burr Oak Grove, but the Indians made good their retreat. The Indians at last were overtaken on the Wisconsin river by a portion of the forces under General Henry, and routed, with a loss of sixty-eight killed and a large number wounded; and finally, as the main body of the Indians had reached the Mississippi river and were in the act of crossing, they were again overtaken by the troops and the battle of Bad Axe occurred, which resulted in the utter defeat of the Indians, and the capture of Black Hawk and the most of his warriors.

While the Blackhawk war was barren of any remarkable incidents, or the establishment of any distinguished military reputations, we may record one fact, that two of the homeliest and truest men engaged in it became afterwards commanders in chief of the armies of the Union, and Presidents of the United States, viz: (Then Colonel) Zachary Taylor and Captain Abraham Lincoln.

During this campaign Lincoln made many valuable acquaintances and friends; one among the number was John T. Stuart, Major of the Spy Battalion, afterwards member of Congress. He bore testimony to the great popularity of Lincoln with the soldiers, because of his care of his men, of his good nature and his ability to tell more stories and better ones than any man in the battalion. One who served under him in the New Salem company stated that he was a faithful officer, personally interested in the welfare of his men, prompt in the discharge of his duties; and this was the unanimous testimony of the members of his company.