Lincoln returned from his military campaign to New Salem ten days before the election of members of the Legislature of the State, and was at once requested to allow his name to be placed on the Whig ticket as a candidate for the Sangamon District. He was then twenty-three years of age. The nomination was a surprise to him, and his political principles did not promise success in the county, largely Democratic at that time. The canvass, however, showed his popularity in his own township. He received 277 votes out of 284, polled a vote unprecedented in the history of politics, and although he was defeated in the District it was the only occasion in which he ever failed in a popular election.

Lincoln was now out of employment, but he could not remain idle. A merchant of New Salem, wishing to retire from business, offered his stock of goods to Lincoln on credit. The offer was accepted and the goods purchased, and Lincoln taking a partner, the business was conducted under the firm of Lincoln & Berry. The enterprise proved a failure; the goods were old and unsalable. Berry, Lincoln's partner, was wild and dissipated in his habits, and at the end of twelve months the partnership was dissolved, and Lincoln retired from the business with some valuable experience and a debt which he said afterwards was as bad as the "national debt," as it took him several years to liquidate it, which he did to the utmost farthing. While engaged in merchandising he was appointed by President Jackson Postmaster at New Salem, an office of no pecuniary value. It was the first civil office he held, and one that gave him much pleasure, from the opportunity it allowed him of reading the papers and periodicals taken at the office. The appointment was too trivial to be considered of any political importance. He received it because of his popularity and his ability to make out the official returns.

Lincoln had now, by experience, ascertained that he could not succeed as a merchant. His heart was too full of the milk of human kindness to refuse credit, even to those that he had reason to believe would never be able to pay. He had no tact for the collection of store bills, and to compel the payment from his friends and neighbors by law-the thought for a moment could not be entertained. The business of merchant not proving a success, and the Postoffice yielding no revenue, some other employment became necessary. The daily wants, food and raiment, must be supplied and that by his own labor and daily toil. The bread of idleness Lincoln had never eaten, and he fully recognized the Divine injunction, "that by the sweat of his brow his bread must be obtained." In looking for employment it came from a quarter wholly unexpected.

John Calhoun, afterwards of Lecompton notoriety, was at that time Surveyor of Sangamon county, which embraced the territory now included

in four counties. The large immigration to the State at that time and the daily location of public lands increased largely the labors and duties in the Surveyor's office, and the Surveyor, in looking for assistance, employed Lincoln as a deputy, and gave him the territory now embraced in the county of Mernard, for his field of operations.

This appointment found Lincoln unprepared for the work. He had no knowledge of surveying, and was but little acquainted with the science upon which it was based. He procured the proper books and engaged with earnestness to prepare himself in the shortest possible time for the work on which he was about to enter. In a short time he made himself acquainted with the rudiments of the profession and he then purchased a compass and chain and entered upon his work. His employment procured him food and raiment, and what to him seemed more desirable, books; for during the period he was engaged in this work he was a constant student, and was preparing himself by obtaining knowledge and information for other fields of labor. He continued in this employment with success and with such correctness that the accuracy of his work and surveys has never been called in question, and he only relinquished his work for the time being, as the people were about to call him to a more dignified and exalted station.

Three years had now passed since Lincoln had left the enjoyments and endearments of the parental home, for life's duties and responsibilities. During that period he had discharged the duties of flat-boat captain, merchant's clerk, Captain of Volunteers, Postmaster and surveyor, with fidelity and ability, with credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers, and had gained the respect and esteem of all with whom he had become acquainted.

A writer has well said: "No man has ever lived who was more a selfmade man than Abraham Lincoln." The same writer says: "Not a circumstance of his life favored the development which he reached." This latter statement is hardly correct. Indeed, it may be stated that the circumstances and surroundings which had attended him for the past three years were favorable to his aspirations, his hopes and efforts, and to his success in laying broad and solid the foundations of his future attainments and developments as a great and good man. His voyages on the flat-boats to New Orleans, through the slave States, gave him a knowledge and insight into the effects and influences of slavery which he could not have obtained by reading or otherwise, and quick to see and discern the evils and results flowing from that servile instiution, thus early in his mind were fixed the great injustice and wrongs of slavery, and broad and deep were laid those true principles of right and justice which became the prominent features of his future political life. His official connection with the Black Hawk war brought him in contact

with, and made him acquainted with many prominent citizens, associated with the volunteers from different parts of the State, and those of his command, gave him notoriety and prominence, which follows favorably all popular military officers. His occupations as clerk, merchant, Postmaster and surveyor, gave him access to the people, and a large and extensive acquaintance in the county in which he resided. Those circumstances, improved as they were, certainly favored his success in after life.

The immigration to Illinois during this period of Lincoln's life was unprecedented in the history of the country. Pioneers from the sunny South, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and the Middle and Eastern States, were sending in great numbers brave men and women to settle the broad and fertile plains of the Prairie State. Hardy sons of toil, with means limited, but buoyant with hope and expectations for the future, with sterling hearts of integrity filled with kindness and hospitality to all.

It was a State wonderful in progress, a community grand in its conceptions for the future, and successful in its labors and aspirations for pre-eminence; a field of promise in which Lincoln, with his labors, desires and hopes, might well strive for success. He was poor, and his necessities compelled him to labor for his daily bread, among those who considered labor not derogatory nor detrimental to moral worth and to aspirations for a higher and more perfect character. His personal appearance, rough and homely, brought in contact with the refined and cultivated, possibly would not have been appreciated or commanded their respect and regard. He had no teachers, few books and no learned and intellectual companions, and it would not have been well had it been otherwise. From the character of his reading and studies we can see that he was fully qualified to direct and choose his plans and purposes for the future. His temperament was hopeful, not buoyant. Faith in himself was sufficient to form purposes, and when formed to carry them to their final consumation. He was firm and positive in his convictions of right, and purposes were not made without study and investigation; but when matured, no dazzling prospect of place or preferment moved him from what he believed to be the right.

That at this time he had political aspirations there can be no doubt. That he had honorable and strong desires for popularity and place in his growing State is true; and knowing this we can realize to some extent how strong were those convictions of right and principle. In a State then largely Democratic, he took his stand with the minority and steadily adhered to those principles during his entire life. He did so, believing that those principles were founded on right and justice, and that in the future they would prevail— and the result of his political life proved the correctness and wisdom of his choice.

CHAPTER VI.

CHARACTERISTICS.

The attainments of Lincoln at this early age, and his persistent, patient labors for success indicated characteristics marked and peculiar. His habits of study, his selection of books for study, and his efforts and method to obtain knowledge and information of the past and present history of his country and of the prominent men of the age, were often subjects of remark by his intimate friends. Gifted with a memory remarkable, elastic and retentive, valuable information and thoughts were treasured up to be used as opportunity and occasion might require. His method of investigating all questions of a public or political character, was to give both sides a thorough and critical examination and then form his opinions and conclusions.

Wanting in those personal attractions which are the envy of every circle, still his pleasant ways, his endearing good nature, his way of telling stories and anecdotes, gave him access to all; and whether with the learned or unlearned, the refined or unrefined, he was always welcomed as one that made the company or circle complete, and in all places and at all times he found men and women to love and respect him. This popularity and the public favor he had attained, were the results of the outward manifestations of the purity of his life and the goodness of his heart.

Lincoln, at this period of his life, was not a religious man. He was not a member of any church, nor did he subscribe to any religious creed, but deep in his heart and nature was implanted a religious structure which was truly perfect. He had read and studied the Bible much, in his childhood and youth. He believed in God, and that His moral and natural laws directed and contolled the affairs of men and nations. He believed that he and all created beings were under His guidance and control. He believed in the success and final triumph of the right through the providence of God. He recognized his accountability to his Creator, and sacred relations between his God and himself in all the purposes of his life. The lessons of piety and trust in the Great Author of his being, early implanted by a Christian mother,

ran through and softened all the experiences of his after life. The great command, "Love thy neighbor as thyself," was to him a daily sense of duty, and he made it a rule in his life "to do unto others as he would have them do unto him." It was this principle that governed his actions and produced the grand results of his life. He held in reverence the Christian religion, and men of earnest piety and true devotion were held by him in much respect and esteem. The name of his Creator was only mentioned with reverence; habits of dissipation he never acquired in any form; dissimulation and falsehood to him seemed abhorrent and were never employed. He was precisely what he appeared, awkward and original, social and genial. He had no desire for fine dress or apparel, no taste for show or display in any way or form; and it was that childlike simplicity, directness and truthfulness which he cherished in his manhood, which was the secret of his power and success in public life.

This narrative of Lincoln's studious habits and character, representing perfect manhood, is written by one who enjoyed his friendship throughout life and who reveres his memory. It is a mirror in which all may look with pleasure and profit, and one in which the young men of our country may see lessons of encouragement, with hopes of success if the example given are followed with industry and perseverence through life. It was said of Lincoln at that time, and said truly: "Lincoln has nothing except perseverence, popularity and plenty of friends." What could be more essential to success?

A friend of Lincoln, who was a student at the Jacksonville College, and whose home was near New Salem, during a vacation brought home with him Richard Yates and a number of other students, and as they all had heard of Lincoln they all went up to New Salem to see him. They found him at his usual occupation, when not otherwise engaged, reading. This time it was a newspaper, and he was laying on his back, outside the store, on the cellar door. Yates and Lincoln here first formed their acquaintance and were soon engaged in conversation. The friends listened to the speakers, never giving thought to the fact that one was to become the war Governor of Illinois and the other President of the United States.

Two years had now passed since Lincoln was appointed Deputy Surveyor, and since his failure at an election as a member of the Legislature. He had become, during this period, more extensively acquainted with the voters of his county, and had frequently addressed his fellow-citizens on the political topics of the day. His style of address was novel, impressive, forcible and popular with the people, and his future was held by the voters of his county to be one of promise.

In 1834 he was again nominated on the Whig ticket for the Legislature. He made an entire canvass of the county, which at that period embraced the