The Wilmingtonian., 1885-06-20

All this Mr. Lincoln perfectly understood,
but he knew himself aud he was thoroughly
convinced of the justice of his cause. He
carried his conscience with him Into the
discussion. He made no statement which |
he did not believe to be true, took no posi-
tion which lie was not able to defend Less |
gifted in language, lie was clearer in state
ment, more persuasive and simple in style,
stronger in his convictions, more earnest in
presenting them, and whom he was wont to
call plain people, than his opponent.
1t can hardly be said that be was a victor
in the debate, but it cannot be denied that
when it closed the advantage was not ON the
side of Mr.. Douglas.
MIR. LINCOLN BECOMES POPULAR LEADER.
Mr.. Lincon's speeches were not only very
able, but they left the impression upon my
mind that he possessed the elements of great
personal popularity. So strong was the i'm
preston that, happening to be in Chicago in
1860 when the Republican Convention was
in session, and being asked by some of the
delegates (when it was certain that either
inated) to which thought their votes should
be given, did not hesitate to say "that that
depended upon what they wanted to do--if
they wanted to viudicate the principles of
the party they should vote for Mr. Seward;
ii they wanted to elect a president, hey
should vote for Mr.. Lincoln"
Mr., Lincoln's election precipitated the
Rebellion, but the time had come sooner
than had been expected and in a different
way for the settlement of the question
whether the United States were nation to
which allegiance was due by the people or
a confederation of states, from which any
state or number of states might withdraw
by their own independent action and of
the equally important question whether
slavery or freedom should dominate through
out the Union. These questions were set
tied by war, and it is now quite certain that
they could not be settled by any other
means.
That the election of Mr. Lincoln was rortu,
nate for the country and the whole country
| is generally admitted. 1t would have been
quite impossible for either of the other
| distinguished men whose names were before
the Convention for nomination for the peo-
| pie through the protracted struggle to the
| same extent that he did.
| THE MOST PECULIAR CHARACTER
Mr.. Lincolu's character is difficult to
analyze,so rare, seemingly incongruous were
! it's combinations. Instead, therefore, OF
attempting an analysis, | must cOnfine my
| remarks to a description of his appearance,
and of his prominent aud Singular if not
| inconsistent, characteristics.
In form Mr.. Lincoln was tall and angu-
lar lacking in cOmpactness, but strong
and sturdy, with great capacity for work
and power of endurance. His features were
coarse, ard to strangers uncomely bat
preposessiDg to those who became his
friends. His face, dull and heavy when in
repose, was all alight With intelligence when
in conversation.
The theatre had great attractions for him,
but it was comedy, not tragedy, he went tc
hear. He had great enjoyment Of the plays
that made him laugh, no matter how absurd
and grotesque, and he give expression tc
his enjoyment by hearty and noisy applause
He was a man of strong religious convic
tions, but he cared nothing for the dogma!
\ - si-.s-'-v'---, ----a i-s.-'-i4..i- .ssge-e r0l
their creeds. AS lawyer and advocate
Mr.. Lincoln had no superior in Illinois ant
few superiors in the older states, His prac
tice was not broad or varied enough tc
| NJ !,
his mind was keen, clear, discriminating
and he was well grounded in the elementarl
principles of the law His arguments before
court were always carefully prepared pontet
and cogent.
Before jury he was especially effective
One of his mostdistngu'shcd characteristic.
as an advocate was the suppression Of him
self in his argument to the Jurors. 1t wa
his aim to fix the facts, and the facts only
upon their minds. Comprehending perfect.
the points upon which the case depended
to them he directed the attention of tn
jury; wasting no words upon unimportan
matters; never weaiisOma by long speeches
with great aptitude discovering the charac
ters of jurors; always Ineligible and earnes
ho never failed to interest and rarely t.
convince. The some qualities were display
ed in his public speeches. models they wcr
of clear, simple and consequently orroruibl
speaking.
FIRST IMPRESSION OF LINCOLN.
e The first time saw and heard him wa
/ at indianapolis, shortly af:er the conclu,iy
| pF IA ,lalNa 70 wit A., N
, his attire, upgraceful in his movement,
: | thought as lie came forward to addlCs
the audience that his was the most uugair
: ly figure lad ever seen upon a platform
= Conld this be the Abraham Lincoln who's
a speeches had read with SO much interr,
. and admiration-this plain, dulI-lookin
man the one who had successfully encounter
ed in debate one Of the most gifted speaker,
. of his time? The question was speedil
answered by the speech.
: Mr.. Lincoln was not polished wr.teI
d but he wrote correctly and with grea
o precision, In clearness, in cOnciseneSs i
the use of apt aud appropriate Language
which everybody could understand,
would be difficult to tind his superior II
letters in explanation and defense Of Ii
;. hesitation TO proclaim freedom to the slave
y especially his reply to Mr.. Greeley, al
masterpieces Of clear and forcibe writing
:, The concluding paragraph of his first il
! augural:--
r The mystic cords of memory, stretchin
@ from every battlefield and patriot gra,
.r to every living heart aud hearthstone, a