The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-06-01

itics. rOr many years ne was the 'Wheel
horse" Of the Whig party Of Illinois, and
was on the elecioarl ticket in several Pres.
iden,ial campaigns. AT such times he
canvassed the State with his usual vigor
and ability. He was an ardent friend Of
Henry Clay, and exerted himself power
fully In bis behalf in 1914, traversing the
entire State Of Illinois, and addressing
public meetings daily until near the close
Of the campaign, when, becoming con.
vinced that his labors in that field would
be unavailing, he crossed over into In-
diana, and continued his efforts up TO the
day Of election. The contest Of that year
in Illinois was mainly on the tariff ques-
tion. MIR. Lincoln, on the Wing side,
and John Calhoun, on the Democratic side,
were the heads Of the opposing electoral
tickets. Calhoun, late OF Nebraska, now
dead, was then in the full vigor Of his
powers, and was accounted the ablest
debatel of his party. They stumped the
State together. OF nearly SO, making
speeches, usually on alternate days al
each place and each addressing large
audiences at great length. sometimes four
hours together. Mr.. Lincoln, 10 these
elaborate speeches, evinced a thorough
mastery Of The principles of political
economy, which underlie the tariff ques.
lion, and presented arguments in favor of
the protective policy with power and
conclusiveness rarely cqualed, and al the
same time in manner so lucid and Ia
miliar and SO we'll interspersed with happy
illustration and opposite anecdotes, as to
establish reputation which he has never
since failed 10 maintain, as the ablest
leader in the Wing and Republican ranks
in the great West,
In l846 he was elected 10 Congress.
and served out his term, and would have
been reelected had he not declined to be
a candidate. He steadily and earnestly y
|, opposed the annexation Of Texas, and Ia
bored with all his powers in behalf OF the
Wilmot Proviso. In the National Con,
vention Of l848. of which he was o mem.
ber, he advocated the nomination OF Gen
, Taylor, and sustained the nomination BY
an active canvass in Illinois and Indiana
From l849 to 1854. Mr.. Lincoln wa.
} engaged assiduously in the practice Of hi:
profession, and being deeply immersed in
business, was beginning to loose his in.
> terest in politics, when the schemng am
I bition and groveling selishness OF an un.
scrupulous aspirant 10 the Presidency
brought about the repeal Of the Missouri
p Compromise. That act OF baseness and
per6dy aroused the sleeping lion, and be
! prepared for new efforts. He threw him
sell at once into the contest that followed
. and fought the battle Of freedom on the
ground Of his former conflicts in Illinoi.
with more Than his accustomed energy
and zeal. Those who recollect the tre
e mendous battle fought in Illinois that year
!. will award TO Abraham Lincoln fully
# three -four,hs Of the ability and unweary
ing labor which resulted in the mighty
victory which gave Illinois her first Re
;. publican Legislature, and placed Lyman
a Trumbull in The Senate Of the Unitet
+ States. The first and greatest debate Q
e that year came off between Lincoln an,
e Douglas at Springfield, during the pro
IS gress of the State Fair, in October. w
q remember the event as vividly as thoug
q il transpired yesterday, and in view Of lb
: prominence now given 10 the chief acto
q in that exciting event, it cannot fail to b.
IS interesting to all. The affair came off o.
e the fourth day Of October, 1854. Th
J.. State Fair had been in progress two days
n and the capital was full OF all manner Q
men. The Nebraska bill had been passe
N on the previous twenty-second Of May
v Mr.. Douglas had returned ts Illinois
ID meet an outraged constituency. He ha
n. made fragmentary speech in Chic agt
b. the people filling up each hiatus in
re- peculiar and good humored way. II
lie called the people mob-they called biz
n. rowdy. Tho "mob" had the best Of i
=. both then and at the election which SUI
r. cecded. The notoriety Of all these event
IN had stirred up the politics of the Sta'
ID from bottom to top. Hundreds Of activ
,e politicians had met at Springfield e1
At pecting tournament OF an unusual cha
a, acter-Douglas, Breese, Knrner, Lincoln
: Trumbull. Matteson, Yates, Codding job
/. Calhoun (of the order OF the Candle Box
I'd John M. Palmer, the whole house Of II
r. Nc Connells. Singleton (known to fame
n. the Mormon War, Thos. l.. Harris, al
he a host Of others. Several speeches we
in made before and several after the passal
n. between Lincoln and Douglas, but th
was justly held to be the event of d
tv season.
or We do not know whether chsllenl
in to debate passed between the friends OF q
RI speakers or not, but there was perfect
Of amicabie understanding between Linco
,us and Douglas, that the former should spei
nd two or three hours and the latter reply
his Just as little or as much time as he chos
He Mr.. Lincoln took the stand at two o'elo
les "a large crowd in attendance. and n
- Douglas seated on q small platform
he front Of the desk. The FIRST half hour
lat Mr.. Lincoln's speech was taken up wi
bis compliments to his distinguished friel
IN. Judge Douglas, and dry illusions to {
ac- political events of the past few years.
er, His distinguished friend Judge Dougl'
are had taken his seat as solemn as the Coo
ter Lane ghost, evidently with the design
slf, not moving muscle till it came his tu
to speak. The laughter provoked by u
m. coins exordium, however. soon began
10 make him uneasy, and when Mr.. L. srriy
N. at his (Douglas) speech pronouncing Z
ess Missouri Compromise ga sacred thi
iIv which no ruthless hand would ever