Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-06-22


stature could be induced to disappoint their
constituents by giving their votes to another.
From bis thorough conviction of the growing
magnitude Of the slave question and of tie need
Of strong effort to preserve the territories to
freedom, Mr.. Lincoln was among the ffst to
join IN the formation Of the Republican party,
although the public opinion around him was
strongly adverse to that movement. He exert
~ himself for the organization Of the Repub-
Aiean forces 10 Illinois, and attended the first
Republican Convention held in the State That
was at Bloomington in May, 1856. His speech
n that Convention was of surprising power aud
eeqnenee, and produced great effect. In the
contest of that year Mr.. lincoln was at the
head Of the Illinois electoral ticket, aud labor
ea earnestly, though yalnly,to wrest that State
from The grasp Of the pro-Slavery Democracy,
With s'the walking magazine of mischief" as
Deuglas has been appropriately termed, at its
head.
when the campaign of 1858 was about to
oaen, the voice OF the Republican party of Hi
nols was so unanimous and enthusiastic in his
favor as the successor of Judge Douglas, that
lE= full State Convention of over five hundred
delegates, the unusual step was taken Of NOM
mating him for that Office by acclamatinn-
ihe enthusiasm of the delegates 10 convention
extended to their constituents. The party
wat into the contest with the name of Lincoln
on all their banners, instituted Lincoln clubs
wore Lincoln badges and held Lincoln meet
ings at almost every school house in the State
The respective parties were marshalled under
leaders, who were fitting representatives oe the
principles of each. Lincoln, the consistent ad-
afa nF Ifufya
Of indeseaslble rights, and animated aud con-
trvlted oy sense of human responsibility in
dependent of conventional rules, placed him
self upon the battlements of the constitution,
and summoned to bis side the friends of law,
order, aud humanity. Douglas, in the spirit of
system which assigus all power to a majority
and hatters the people in the concrete, while it
cheats the individual of all security for his per-
sonal rights, appealed 70 popular prejudice and
to the antipathies of pace The one held sla-
very to be an institution in conflict with the
principles of free government, wholly depen-
a-sa apen positive law, aad.never 70 be extessd-s
cd where it could be legitimately prohibited;
while the other ayerred that the despotic will
of any majority, though of q community exist
ing ouly in a state of pupilage under the guar
dianship Of federal authority, ought to be COM
petent to establish it without question by that
authority and without regard to moral consid-
erations. The contest excited intense interest
aud was maintained with Infinite spirit. Lu-
coin, after vaiuly attempting to draw his wary
opponent into joint canvass OF the entire
State, met him in seven great debates in as
many Congressional Districts, ana in the opin-
ion of every candid judge fairly overthrew
him ID argument on all controvcrted points,
The result was, that though majority of the
popular vote was obtained by Lincoln, Douglas
obtained by the instramentaity of an old and
unequal appertioument of the districts ma jor-
ity of the Representatives, and thus secured
bis recollection to the U. S. Senate,
Since that great contest, Nc. lincoln has
repeatedly given his powerful aid, in support
of the Republican cause in other States, as in
Ohio, Wisconsin, and Kansas during the present
year, aud, 10 every instance, he has been re-
ceived with enthusiasm by the people, eyinciqe
of the hold he has on the popular heart
Wherever lie speaks be draws together large
crowds of interested listeners, upon whom he
never fails to make marked impresson.-
Though ready and fluent speaker, he avoids
defamation, aud is never betrayed into mere
word,painting, which his good taste habitual,y
rejects. He abhors emptiness as heartily as
did the great Webster in bis prime, and employs
as the vehicle of his thoughts style of SIM
gular clearness and simplicity. In his state
meut of facts be is scrupulousiy accurate, and
to every opponent he exhibits the utmost fair
Less, candor, and liberality, retorting no abuse,
but preserving an uDfailing courtesy even under
the severest provocation. His manner is earn
est, his arguments close and logical, and he
reaches his conclusions by process that seems
to render those conclusions inevitable. Wheth-
er you agree with him or not you cannot listen
to him without being satisfied of his sincerity,
and that bis object is not victory but truth.
In private life Mr.. Lincoln is strictly moral
aud temperate man, of frank and engaging
manners, of kind and genial nature, unatfect-
edly modest, social in disposition, ready in con-
versaton, and passing easily from grave to gay
and from gay to grave, according to the humor
Of the hour or the requirements of the occasion,
firm. friend and yet not implacable to an enc,
my, consistent politician, good citizen, and
an honest patriot.
IN Al. D.