Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-06-22


body.]
From the Chester County Times.
Abraham Lincoln.
Among the distinguished men, who, by their
patriotism and eloquence, have assisted to
create and sustain the party Of constitutional
freedom which now predominates in most of
the free States, there is no one who has 6rIner
hold on the couidence aud affections of the
people of the Great West, or is more an object
of their enthusiastic admiration, than ABRAHAM
LINCOLN of Springfield, Illinois No traveller
that visits the valley of the Mississippi north
of the Ohio, can fail to be impressed with the
unrvalled popularity of that eminent Repub-
lican chief throughout that whole region and
it is impossible to doubt that he was vigorously
pressed upon the Chicago Convention, by the
representatives of large aud earnest constitu-
ency, as proper standard d-bearer Of our great
national party in the impending struggle for
the Presidency. Iu consequence of the position
be occupies in the regards of our western
brethren as champi If the Republican faith,
we have been interested to inquire into the in
cidents OF bis life and the prominent traits of
bis,,character. W. Eow furnish you with tue re-
suit of our inquiries, though they have been
attended with but mo derate success, and have
elected much less than We reasonably hoped to
obtain
ABRAHAM LINCOLN is a native of Hardin
county, kentucky. lie was born on the
twelfth day of February, 1909 His parents
we're both born in Virginia, and were certaiuly
not Of the first families. His paternal grand
father, Abraham Lincoln, ,emgrated from Rock-
ingham county, Virginia, 20 Kentucky, about
1871 or 1882, where year or two later, be
was killed by the Indians, not ia battle, but by
stealth, while he was laboriag TO open farm
in the forest. His ancestors, who were re-
spectacle lEcmbers of the Society Of Frfeuds,
went to Virginia from Berks county, Pennsyl-
vana. Defendants of the same stock still re-
side n the eastern parts Of the State.
Mr.. Liucoln's father, at the death of ms
father, was but Fix years of age, aud he grew
up literally without education. He removed
from Kentucky to what is now Speucer county,
Indiana, in 1915. The family reached their
new home about the time The State was ad-
mitted into the Union. Tae region in which
they settled was rude and wild, aud they eu-
dured, for some years, the experience of
frontier life, 10 which the struggle with nature
for existence and security is to be maintalued
only by constant vigilance and efforts. Bears,
wolves and other uoxious animals still Infested
the woods, and young Lincoln acquired more
skill in the use of the rifle than knowledge of
books. There were institutions here aud there,
known by the fatterng denomination of
Schools" but no qualifications was required of
teacher beyond "readin', writing aud cipher
in" as the vernacular phrase rau, as far as the
Rule OF three. If straggIer, supposed to
understand. Latin, happened to s1journ in the
| neighborhood, he was looked upon as a wizard,
and regarded with an awe suited to so mystic
rious character. Hard work, aud plenty of
IL was the order of the day, varied, indeed, by
an occasional bear-huut, not untrequent deer
chase, or other wild sport. OF course, when
young Lincoln came of age he was not
scholar. He could read and write, aud had
some knowledge of arithmetic, but that was
about all and, as yet, he had but little am,
bitlon to know moro of what was to 0e found
in books. His attainments otherwise were not
to be despised. He had grown to be six feet
four inches in stature, was active aud athletic,
could WELD the axe, direct the plow, or use the
rifle as we'll as the best of Ills compeers, aud
was fully up to all the mysteries of the woods,
" hIC ASSPOA VI duu
fully injured to hardship and toll Since he
arrived at age, be has not been at school,
Whatever his requirements are, they have been
picked up from time to lime, as opportunity
occurred, or as the presence of some exigeney
demanded.
At twenty one he removed to Illinois and
passed the first year in Macon county, in active
labor on farm. Then he got to New Salem,
at that time Sangamon, now in Menard county,
where he remained about year, sort of
clerk in store. Then came the Black Hawk
war. A company of volunteers was raised in
New Salem and the surrounding country, and
young Lincoln was elected captain--a success
which, as he has often said, gave him more
pleasure than any he has since enjoyed. He
served with credit during tho campaign, and
became popular. On his return, in the fall of
1882, he was candidate for the Legislature,
and ran, but was beaten. This was the ouIy
time that be has ever failed of an election by
the people, when he has sought their suffrages.
Inc next and three succeeding biennial elec-
tions he was elected to the Legislature, and
served with distinguished reputation in that
body. While member of the Legislature, be
first gave indications of bis superior powers as
a debater, and he increased, by frequent prac-
tice, his natural facility for public speaking.-
His latent ambition was excited by success,
and he improved industriusiy the opportunities
that offered of sef-cultivation. From the
position of subalteIn in the ranks of the Wing
party, position which was appropriately as
signed him by his unaffected Inodesty aud hum
bic preGensions, lie soon became recognized