The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-05-24
"HONEsT OIn ARE"

With this homely but most expressive
phrase the people of the Northwest are
wont to designate the man whom the Re-
publican Convention at Chicago the 18th
inst. on the third ballot, and by a majori
ty which instantly became unanimity, Sc
lected as our standard bearer in the great
contest now opening for the redemption
of the Federal Government from the cor
ruption, weakness, aud degradation into
which lorg Democratic performance has
brougbtit This rude designation, inven-
ted by uDerring popular instinct, express
es the entire and confident affection which
the heart OF the m asses feels for Mr. Lin
coin wherever he is known; it declares the
popular certainty that his is nature OF
sterling stuff, which msy always be relied
upon for perfect integrity, and constant
fidelity to duty. In one respect, howeV-
er, it is not to be taken as literal de.
scription; Mr.. Lincoln is not an old N an
either in years or in character. On the
contrary. he is still in the full vigor and
bloom of manly maturity.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin
County, Kentucky, February IL, 1909.
and is now 81 years old. He is very prob
ably of the race OF the NJ Massachusetts, Lin
colDs, though bis parents were of Quaker
stock, that migrated from Pennsylvania to
Virginia W hence bis grandfather removed
iu 1872 to Kentucky, and was there
surprised and killed by Indians while at
work on his clearing. Like most pioneers,
be left his family poor; and bis son also
died prem aturely, leaving a widow and
several children, including Abraham, then
six years old. The family removed soon
after to Southern Indisna, where Abra-
ban grew to the stature of six feet and
some inches, but enjoyed scarcely better
opportunities for instruction than IN Ken
tucky Probably six months in all OF the
rude>t sort of schooling compreheuds the
whole of his technical education. He was
in turn a farm laborer, common work
nan in q saw mill, and boatman on the
Wabash and Mississippi rivers. Thus
hard work and plenty of it, the rugged
experiences of aspiring poverty, the wild
sports aud rude games OF Dewly and
thiuly peopled forest region-the educa-
tion born of the log cabin, the rife, the
ak, and the plow, combined with the re-
fectioDs of IN original and vigorous mind,
eager in the pursuit of knowledge By ev-
cry available means, and developing q
character of equal resource and frnnes-
made him tie man he has since proved
T himself.
At II, be pushed further West into Ill
? inois, which has for the last thirty years
r been bis home, living always near and
for sou.e years past in Spring field, the
State Capital. He worked on farm as
( hi:ed man his first year in Illinois; tbs
next year he was clerk in store; then
volunteered for the Black Hawk war, and
f was chosen captain by bis company; the
, next year be was an unsuccessful caDdi
j, date for the Legislature; he vas choser
the next, and sersed four sessions will
eminent usefulness and steadily increas
ing reputation; studied law, meantime
a and took his place at the bar; was early
: recognized as q most effective and con
yiucing advocate before the People o
t Whig principles and the Protective policy
j. and of their ilustrious eD bodiueDt, Hen
d ry Clay; vas Wbig candidate for Elec
y tor in nearly or quite every PresideDtia
contest FROM 1886 to 1852 inclusive; wa
e chosen to the XXXth Congress from th
Central District of Illinois in 1916, ant
, served to its close, but was not candi
J. date for re-election; and in 1910 measur
II ably withdrew from politics and devotct
l. himself to the practice of his profession
= until the Nebraska Iniquty of 1854 call
e ed him again into the political arena. H
e was the candidate of the Wings for U S
d Senator before the Legislature chose
IT that year; but they were not najorit
o of the body; so he declined and urged hi
/, friends to support Judge Trumbull, tb
candidate of the anti Nebraska Democrat
L. who was thus elected.
J. In the gallant aud memorable Presi
4 Dental contest of 1855, MIR. Lincoln
d name headed the Fremont Electora tick
J. ct of Illinois. In 1853, he was unani
d mously designated by the Republica
of State Convention to succeed Mr.. Dougla
d in the Senate, and thereupon canvasse
le the State against Mr.. d. with an abilit
in which logic, art, elcquence, and tho
y rough good nature were alike conspicu
l. oua, and which gave bin national rel
y utation. Mr.. Douglas secured predou
to iuonce in the Legislature and was eecte,
70 though Mr. Lincoln had the larger popr
ID lar vote, SO that if the question had bee
o. decided by the majority of the people, tt
il champion of Squatter Sovereignty and {
to Indifference as regards Slavery extensio
would not now be Senator from Illinoi
o. As Presidential candidate, Mr.. Lii
O. coin enjoys peculiar advantages. Viii
Sd his politics as Republican renders hi
an satisfactory to the most jealous memb
be of the party, the moderation OF bis cha
on acter, and the conservative tendencies
es his mind, long approved and we'll kno"
of all men in public life, commend him
a. every section of the Oppo-ition. The1
BY is no good reason Why Americans an
at Wbi,s and in short all who ara insnir re