New-York daily tribune., 1858-06-26
thus brought into regular coGmanic catoa and
want is supplied that felt for dissarss Of over
ILLINOIS.
SKETCH OF THE HON. ABRAHAM LIN
COLIN.

coin.
Correspondence Of The Y. rtibuns.
CoLLNsvILLE, Ill June Is. 1853.
The decided expressions of the Republican Con-
venton of this State in favor Of Abraham Lincoln
for Senator, in the place now held by Judge Doug
las, will give interest to anything throwing light
upon the character and abilities of Mr.. Lincoln, es.
pecislly to those who are not acquainted with him.
As be has served only one term in the Lower House
Of Congress, and that so long sgo as 1865, there
must be many who would like to know how he will
be likely to fill the place of the now 40 notorious-l
might say Observation-Disclosures. Is he q match
for his 'illustrious predecessor :"
The style Of the two men is quite different. Lin
coin is cooquial, afabt, goOd-uatured, almost
Jolly. He states the case at issue with so much
easy good humor and fsirne,s that his opponents
sre almost persuaded he is not an opponent at all
As he proceeds with the argument, he grants the
opposition almost all they claim. In doubtfulcsse
he asks them if present, to state their choice in
dilemma, and so be proceeds, weaving his argu-
ment of indisputable facts and principles, UNTIL be-
fore you are aware of it, he has linked his granted
premise to his conclusion with hooks of steel.
There is no faulty link in the chain and none open
enough to get wedge into. All this time you
have scarcely suspected him of any set purpose.
He was simply talking about things as they are, In
a pleasant after dinner mood. Sometimes, for q
single sentence, he might seem to wsrm into elo.
Quence, but it seemed only the leading OF the sub
iect and not from any purpose to make speech
If you differ with him in regard to any fact he Is
quite willing you should have it your own way. Ii
he makes use of point which is in dispute, he
says he thinks it is 80, but he does not build his
argument upon it.
If Douglas were equally careful to take his posi-
tions rightly and espOuse only good cause, he
would be a stronger man. But Lincoln has the
strength which attaches to sound moral feeling and
Just cause and bis temperate mode OF ofarguments-
tion will we'll beft the Senate though he does not
on the stump affect the dignity which the dstln-
guished Senator naturally wears. may add that
Lincoln, being Southern man by birth and educa-
tion s one of that sort Of Republicans Who cannot
be- seduced from their convictions.
But am forgetting myself which was chiefly to
relate OIL incident showing the two men in contact
and somew hat in comparison. think IL has never
been in print.
1t was in the Fall Of 1854, when the Nebraska
bill was fresh topic. Lincoln was speaking to
some two thousand persons in the State House at
Springfield. Douglas sat on the Clerks platform,
lust under the Speakers stand. In his lntrOduc-
tiop Lincoln complmented his distinguished iriend
said he himself had not been in public life as he
had and if he should, on that account mstate any
fact, ne would b. very much obliged to his friend
the Judge, if he would correct him. Judge Doug
las rose with good deal OF Senatorial dignity and
said that it was not always agreeable to speaker
to be interrupted in the OF his remarks, and
therefore, if he should have anything to say, he
would wait until Mr.. Lincoln WAS done. For some
reason, he did not keep to his purpose, but quite
frequently rose to put in word when he seemed TO
think his case required immediate attention. One
nearly a
pe of the rest-was in this wise Lincoln had
been giving history of the legislation of the Fed
eral Government on the subject of Slavery, and re-
ferrDg to the opinions held by public men, and had
come down to the Nicholson letter, wherein the
denial Of the power of Congress to prohibit Slavery
in the Territories was first presented to the public.
Said he, - | don't know what my friend the Judge
thinks" (and be looked down upon him with smile
half playful hall rOgueish), but really it seems to
." me that that was the origin of the Nebraska bill.
This stroke at the Senator's aurels in the matter OF
the great principle" created good deal OF
laughter and some applause, which brought the
Judge to his feet Shaking back his heavy HAIR,
and looking much like reused lion, he said IN his
peculiarly heavy voice which he uses with 40 much
effect when he wishes to be impressive, "No, Sir!
will tt you what was the origin Of the Nebraska
bill. 1t was this, Sir God created man, and
placed before him both good and evil and left him
" free to choose for himself. That was the origin
or the NcLI aoha bill." AS he said this, Lincoln
looked the picture of good nature aud patience. AS
Douglas concluded, the smile which urked in the
corners of Lncons mouth parted his lips, aud he
replied, "Well, then, think it is great honor to
Judge Douglas that he ,cas The first man to DIS
4" eorer that fact" This brought down tho house,
of course but could not perceive that the Judge
appreciated the fun in the least
quote from memory and do rot undertake, OF
course, 10 be verbally correct Ny version may
serve for slight glimpse OF the man. You, Mr..
Editor will not have forgotten his record on the
Wilmot Proyiso He never faltered then nor since,
nor need there be any conectures about his course
in the Senate, as there must be in any event con-
cerning distinguished individual, whom some
Republicans ever have thought might possibly be
chosen. Lincoln. in the Senate, will be the right
man in the right place. W.