Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-04-05

ever influence he may hereafter exert
upon the government will be in favor
Of that policy.
In lS46 he was elected to Congress
and served out his term; and would
have been reelected had he not de-
c.ined to be a candidate. As to the
character of his services in that body,
my information does not enable me to
speak particularly. In the National
Convention Of 1S45. of which he was
a members he advocated the nomina-
tion of General Taylor, and sustained
the nomination by an actual canvass
of his own State. In 1852 he was
equally efficient in his efforts for Gen.
Scott, and was considered by the
Wings Of Illinois and of the north
west as one of their ablest and wisest
leaders.
From 1S49 to 1854, Mr.. Lincoln
was engaged assiduously in the prac-
tice of his profession. and being deep
ly immersed in business, was Begin
ming to lose his interest in politics,
when the scheming ambition and
groveling sel6shness of an unscrupu-
lous aspirant to the Presidency,
brought about the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise. That act of base
ness and perfdy aroused the sleeping
lion. and he prepared for new efforts.
He threw himself at once into the con-
test that followed, and fought the bat
tie Of freedom on the ground of his
former conflicts in Illinois with more
than his accustomed energy and zeal.
He fully appreciated the Importance
Of the Slavery issue, and felt the force
of the moral causes that must influence
the question, and he never failed to
appeal to the moral sentiment of the
people in aid of the argument drawn
from political sources and to illumin-
ate his theme with the lofty inspirs-
tions of an eloquence, pleading for the
rights of humanity. A revolution
swept the State. For the first time a
majolity of the Legislature of Illinois
was opposed to the Democratic admin
istration of the federal government
They were not. however, all freesoil
in principle. A small body of Anti
Democrats held the balance of power
This circumstance gave occasion for a
striking exhibition Of Mr.. Lincoln's
magnanimity. a United States Sen
ator was to be elected in place Of Gen.
Shields, who had yielded to the inhu-
ence of his less scrupulous colleague,
had voted for the Kansas Nebraska
act. Mr.. Lincoln was the admit
tie leader of the Opposition, and was
universally regarded as their candidate
for Senator. Gov. Matteson was the
candidate of the Nebraska Democrats
and Lyman Trumbull of the handful
of Anti-Nebraska Democrats in the
legislature. The election came on, and
a number of ballots were taken, the
almost united Opposition voting stead
lily for Lincoln. but few Anti demo
Gratis for Trumbull. Mr.. Lincoln he.
came apprehensive that those men
wonld vote for and elect Matteson: to
prevent such a consummation, he wen
personally to his friends ard by strons
persuasion induced then to vote foI
Trumbull. He thus secured, by al
act Of self-sacrifice. triumph for tn,
cause of right, and an advocate of i
on the floor of the Senate. not inferio
in earnest zeal for the principles o
Republicanism to any member of tha
body. 1t was not without difficulty
however, that this object was accom-
plished. The Opposition throughou
the State had with great unaninit,
I looked to Mr.. Lincoln to represent Hi
nois in the Senate, and it was wit
: great reluctance that their representa-
tive in the Legislature could be induce
to disappoint their constituents b
, giving their votes to another.
From his thorough conviction G
; the growing magnitude of the slav
question and of the need of stron
E effort to preserve .he Territories {
freedom. Mr.. Lincol4 was among tn
first to join in the formation of til
, Republican party, although the publ
opinion around him was strongly ad
verse to that movement. He exerte
: himself for the organization of th
! Republican forces in Illinois. and a
tended the first Republican Conventio
J held in the State. This was at Bloom
e ington in May. 1856. His speech
: that convention was OF surprising pov
er and eloquence. and produced
: great effect. In the contest Of ths
T wear he was at the head Of ii
e Illinois electoral ticket. and lahore
n earnestly. though vainly, to wre,
j that State from the grasp Of the pr,
q slavery democracy, with the walkin