Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-03-23
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. THE CHAMPION
OF FREE LABOR.

Was born in Hardin County, Kentucky,
Feb. p, 500. and is Of course s. years old.
His parents were Of Quaker stock, that migrat-
ed from Pennsylvania to Virginia, whence his
grandfather removed in 1872 to Kentucky,
and was there surprised and killed by Indians
while at work on his clearing. Like most
pioneers he left his family poor and his son
also died prematurely leaving widow and
several children, Of whom Abraham was then
six years old. The family removed soon after
to Southern Indiana, where Abraham grew TO
the stature of six feet and some inches, but
enjoyed scarcely better facilities for schooling
than in Kentucky. Probably six months in
all ofthe rndest sort ofschooling compreheuds
the whole of his technical education. But
hard work and plenty oft, the rugged cxper-
fences Of aspiring poverty, the Wild sports and
rude games Of a newly and thnly peepled
forest region-the education born of the log
cabin, the rife, the ak, and the plow-made
him the man he has since proved himself
At 81, he pushed further Westinto lllionis.
which has for the last thirty years been his
home, living always near and for some years
past in Springfield, the State Capital lie
worked on a farm as hired man his first year
in Illinois the next year he was a clerk IN
store; then volunteered for the Black Hawk
war, and was chosen a captain by his company;
the next wear he was an unsuccessful candidate
for the Legislature; was chosen the next, and
served four sessions with eminent usefulness
aud steadily increasing reputation studied
law, meantime and took his place at the bar
was early recognized as a most effective and
convincing advocate before the People Of Whig
principles, and the Protective policy, and Of
their illustrious embodiment, Henry Clay
was Whig candidate for Elector in nearly
or quite every Presidential contest from 1886
to $50 inclusive was chosen to the NNNth
Congress from the Central District of Illinois
in 1916. and served to its close but was not
a candidate for reelection; and in l849 meas
urably withdrew from politics and devoted
himself to his practice, until the Nebraska
iniquity Of 1854 called him again into the
political arena. He was the candidate of the
Wings for U. S. Senator before the Legisla-
ture chosen that year ; but they were not
majority of the body; so he declined and
urged his friends to support Judge Trumbull
the candidate of the ant-Nebraska Demo-
Gratis, who was thus elected. Mr. Lincoln's
name headed the Fremont Electoral Ticket Of
Illinois in 1856
In 1853, he was unanimously designated by
the Republican State Convention to succeed
Mr. Douglas in the Senate, and thereupon
canvassed the State against Mr.. d. with re-
markablo ability Mr. Douglas secured
majority of the Legislature and was elect
ed, but Mr.. Lincoln had the larger popular
vote.
Such is Abraham Lincoln of Illnois--em-
phatically man of the People, a champion of
Free Labor, of diversified and prosperous
Industry, and of that policy which leads
through peaceful progress to universal inteli-
gence, virtue and freedom. The distinguish
ed characteristics of his political addresses
are clearness and candor of statement, a chiy
alrous courtesy to opponents, and broad
genial humor-N y Tribune.