Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-06-06
SKETCHES OF LINCOLN AND HAMI1N.

but most expressive phrase the people of the
N ORTIZ Vest are wont to designate the mar
whom the Convention at Chicago, selected a:
our standard bearer in the great contest now
opening for the redemption of the Federal
government fiom the corruption, weakness
ana degradation into which long Democratic
predominance has brought it. This rude des-
lgnation, invented by unerring popular in.
stlnCt, expresses the entire and confident af-
lection which the heart of the masses feel for
MIR. Lincoln wherever he is known; it declares
the popular certainty that his is a nature OF
sterling stuff, which may always be lied upon
Tor perfect Integrity, and constant fidelity to
duty. In one respect, however, it is not to
be taken as literal description Mr.. Lincoln
Is not an old man either in years or in charac-
ter. On the contrary, he is still in the full
vigor and bloom of manly maturity.
Abraham LINCOLN was born in Hardin Coun-
ty, Kentucky, February II, 1909, and is now
oil years old. He is very probably Of the race
OF the Massachusetts, Lincolns, though his pa
rents were of Quaker stock, that migrated from
pennsylvania to Virginia, whence his grand
father 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, including Abraham then
six years old. The family removed soon after
to Southern Indiana, where Abraham grew to
the statnre of six feet and some inches, but
enjoyed scarcely better opportunities for in
struction than in Kentucky. Probably six
months in all of the rudest sort of schooling
comprehends the whole of his technical edu-
cation. He was in turn farm laborer, COM
mon workman in saw-mil, and a boatman
on the Wabash and Mississippi rivers. Thus
hard work and plenty of it, the rugged expe-
riences of aspiring poverty, the wild sports
and rude games of newly and thinly peopled
forest regon-the education born of the log
cabin, the rife, the AK, and the plow ,comb bined
with the reflections of an original and vigorous
mind, eager in the pursuit of knowledge by
every available means, and developi ng a char
acter of equal resource and firmne ss-made
him the man he has since proved himself.
At 21 he pushed further West into Illinois,
which has for the last thirty years been his
home, living always near and for some years
past in Springfield, the State Capital. He
worked on farm as hired man his first year in
Illinois the next year he clerk in store;
then volunteered for the Black Hawk war, and
was chosen a captain by his company the
next year he was an unsuccessful candidate for
the Legislature; he 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 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 1852 inclusive; was chosen to the
XXXth Congress from the Central District of
Illinois in 1916, and served to its close, but
was not candidate for reelection; and in
1849 measurably withdrew from politics and
devoted himself to the practice OF his profess
sion until the Nebraska Iniquity of 1854 call
ed him again into the political arena. He
was the candidate of the Wings for U. S.
Senator before the Legislature 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
anti-Nebraska Democrats, who was thus elec-
ted.
In the gallant and memorable Presidential
contest of 1856, Mr.. Lincoln's name headed
the Fremont Electoral Ticket of Illinois. In
1858, he was unanimously designated by the
Republican State Convention to succeed Mr..
Douglas in the Senate, and thereupon canvass
ed the State against Mr.. d. with an ability In
which logic, art, eloquence, and thorough
good nature were alike conspicuous, and which
gave him national reputation. Mr.. Douglas
secured predominance in the Legislature and
was elected though Mr.. Lincoln had the larger
popular vote, so that if the question had been
decided by the majority of the people, the
champion of Squatter Sovereignty and of in
difference as regards the Slavery extension
would not now be Senator from Illinois.
As Presidential candidate, Mr.. Lincoln en-
joys peculiar advantages. While his position
as a Republican renders him satisfactory to
the most jealous member of the party, the
moderation of his character, and the conser
vative tendencies Of his mind, long approved
and well known of all men in public life, COM
mend him to every section of the Opposition.
There is no good reason why Americans and
Wings, ,and in short all who are inspired rather
by patriotism than by party feeling, should
not rally to his support. Republicans and
those who dread the extension |
of Slavery, and those who dread the progress
Of Administrative and Legislative Corruption,
may be assured that in him both these
evils will find stern and immovable antag- |
onist and an impossible barrier. AT the |
same time, as Man of the People, raised by
his own genius and integrity from the hum
blest to the highest position, having made for
himself an honored name as lawyer, an ad- |
vocate, a popular orator, statesman, and
Man, the industrious and intelligent masses of
the country may we'll hail his nomination with
q swelling tide of enthusiasm, OF which the
wild and prolonged outbursts at Chicago were |
the fitting prelude and beginning.
We need hardly say that the election of Mr.. |
Lincoln, though it cannot be accomplished |
without arduous and persistent efforts, is emf
nently thing that can be done. The disruption |
VI luO DehOCioliO party, boW PCiu"PS iSoS
likely to be repaired than before his nomina-
tion, the fact that he was put forward by one
of the doubtful States, Illinois ,and nominated |
in great measure by votes from two others,
namely, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the
universal desire of the country to settle the
vexatious Slavery question in accordance with |
the views of the Fathers-all these are pow
erful in behalf of the Chicago ticket. But,
rs we said, efforts must be made. The organi-
sation must be perfected in every county, in |
every district. Tracts and newspapers must
be disseminated. Public discussions must be