, 1880-05-02
LINCOLN. ON INSTRUCTIONS.

How He Won His Nomination for Com
t[reKS.
Gr.ensburg Ind, Correspondence Cincinnati En-
4nlrcr.
Old-1ime politicians viii readily recall the
heated political campaign Of 1873 in the neigh
boring State of illinois, The chief interest Of
the campaign lay In the race for Congress IN the
Cupitu district, which was between Hardin
fiery, eloquent, and impetuous Democrat: and
Lincoln-piain, practical, and ennoblcd Whfg.
The world knows the result Lincoln was
elected.
1t is not SO much with his election as with tho
manner in which he secured his nomiutton with
which we have to deaL Before that evor-mern-
or,ihle spring Lincoln yacil1ated between the
courts ~ Springfield, rated as plalu, honest,
Logical Wing, with no ambition n'gher, pat p2i,t
Lutte in tho fall of 1872 his name begun to be
mentioned iu connection with Congressional u.s.
pirations, which fuct greutly annoyed the leAd-
crs OF his political party. who had already Sc
lcctcd us the Nhig candidate Que Baker, after
ward the H1llant Colonel. who fell SO brayely
field at DalIs BiuH in ls6! Despite a1l efforts
Of his opponents within his party the name Of
the gaunt rail-splittcr, was hailed with nc
himself by his witticisms. honest tongue, and
quaint philosophy when On the stump or min
Cling with them In their homes
Tie Convention, which met In early spring in
the City Of Springfield, WIS to be composed of
the usual number Of Delegates. The contest for
1uE llolllENtlUll WIS SptIl4cA HulQ CACI1eA Il IL"
weeks before the meeting Of the Convention the
fuct was found BY the lenders thut the advnn-
tage lay with Lincoln, and that, unless they
Baker. They attempted to play the game that
has so often won, by - convincing" delegates
under instructions for Lincoln to violate them
and vote for Baker. They had apparently Sue
cecdcd. 1.-The plans Of mice and men aft gang
aglee'; so IT was in this case. Two days before
Of this, and latc at night indited the following
letter. The letter was addressed to Martin Nor
Eis, who resides at Petersburg, an intimate
friend Of his, and by him circulated among
those who were instructed for him at the Coun-
y Conventions, 1t had the desired effect
The Convention met, the scheme OF the
mated, made vigorous canvass, and was tri-
umphantly elected, thus paving the way for his
more extended and brilliant conqnests. This
letter, Lincoln has often told his friends, gave
him ultimately tho Chief Magistracy Of the Ma
ton. He has also said that had he been beaten
before the Convention be would havc been for
sAra1I i, 1Ss5-Fk1EsD MORRIS: I have
@ ~ Il ta o na6eF f haS M t rna
the instructions of the meeting that appointed
you, and to go for him. have Insisted. and still
would not do the like. AS well might Hardin ask
me to vote for him in the Convention. Again. 1t
is said there will be an attempt to get up tnstruc-
Baker. This is ail wrong. Upon the same rule
why might not I Hy from the decision against
me In SlnganuH, anu etup Instructions to their
delegates to go for mc7 There are at least LOO
Wings in the county that took no part, and yet
would soon stick my he7ad in the fire as to ut
tempt It, Besides, If any one should get the
nomination by such extraordinary mems. all
harmony IN the district would inevitably DO lost
Honest Wings (and very nearly all Of them are
honesD would not quietly abide such enorinitfes.
1 repeat such an attempt on Bakers part cam
not be true. Write me at Springfield how the
matter is. Don't show or speak OF this letter.
IA. LINCOLN"
Mr.. Morris did show the letter, and Mr.. Lu-
coin always thanked his stars that he did.