Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-05-31


ees. and to illuminate his theme with
the lofty aspirations Of an eloquence.
pleading for the rights of humanity.
n revolution swept the State. Fer
the first time a majority OF the Lcgis-
lature of illinois was opposed to the
Democratic administration OF the
Federal Government. 4 United
States Senator was 20 be elected IN
place Of General Shields, who had
yielded to the influence Of his less
scrupulous colleague, anil. against his
own better Judgment. had voted for
the Kansas Nebraska act. The elec-
tion came on. and a number of ballots
were taken. the almost united opposi.
tion voting steadily for Lincoln. but
the anti-Nebraska Democrats for
Trumbull. Mr.. Lincoln became ap-
prehensive that those men who had
been elected a. Democrats. though op-
posed TO Judge Douglas. would turn
npon some third candidate. of less
decided convictions than Judge Trum-
bull. and possibly elect Senator who
had little or nothing in common with
the then incohate Republican party.
To prevent such consummation, he
went personally to his friends. and bv
a strong persuasion induced them TO
vote for Trumbull. He thus secured.
bv an act of generous self-sacrifice, a
triumph for the cause of right. and an
advocate of il on the floor of the Sen
ate, not inferior. in earnest zeal for the
principles of Republicanism to any
member of that body.
Some of his friends on the floor Of
the Legislature wept like children
when constrained by Lincoln's per.
sonal appeals to desert him and unite
on Trumbull. 1t is proper to say in
this connection. that between Trum-
bull and Lincoln the most cordial re-
lations have always existed. and that
the feeling of envy or rivalry is not to
be found in the breast of either.
From his thorough conviction Of the
growing magnitude of the slave ques-
ton and OF the need of a strong effort
to preserve the Territories to freedom.
Mr.. Lincoln was among the first to
Join in the formation of the Republi-
can party. although the public opinion
around him was strongly adverse To
that movement. He exerted himself
for the organization of the Republican
forces in Illinois. and attended the
first Republican Convention held in
the State This was in Bloomington
in May, 1856. His speech in that
Convention was of surprising power
and eloquence, and produced great ef-
feet. la the contest of that year. Mr..
Lincoln was at the head of the Illinois
electoral ticket, and labored earnestly,
though vainly, to wrest that State
from the grasp of the Pro Slavery
Democracy, with the walking maga-
zine of mischief" as Douglas has been
appropriately called, at its head.
We need not refer TO the Great
Campaign of 1858, so fresh in the
recollection Of all readers, farther than
W tuC vi tut fOtC On
members of the Legislature. to wit:
For Abraham Lincoln. .l25, ,275
For Stephen A. Douglas. ....... .l2l 100
by reason, however. of the fragrant
apportionment of the State in Legisla.
tive Districts, by which a majority of
the members are always elected by
minority of the people, Mr.. Douglas
was, as is we'll known, returned to the
Senate.
In private life our candidate is lite
rally unimpeach able. Among all who
know him his most acceptable and ut
the same time appropriate soJripuef.
is that by which he is most widely
known:
HONEST OLD ABE"
a..