The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-08-02

william II. Herndon-Political Defeat.
Elected to Congress.
From 1.-THE Life of Lincoln by William Fl.
Herndon and Jesse W. Weik. Copyright, 1888,
by Jesse W. Weik Copyright, 1892 by D. APP
pleton & Co.
XIV.
After April IA, 1841 when Lincoln re-
tired from the partnership with Stuart
who had gone to congress, he had been as
ISOLATED with Stephen T. Logan, a man
who had, as he deserved, the reputation
of being the best nisi prius lawyer in the
state. Judge Logan was very orderly
but somewhat technical lawyer.
In 1S43 Logan and Lincoln both had
their eyes set on the race for congress.
Logan's claim to the honor lay in his age
and the service he had rendered the Wing
party, while Lincoln, overlooking with
ambition, lay great stress on his legisla-
tive achievements and demanded it be-
cause he had been defeated in the nomi-
mating conventions by both Hardin and
Baker in the order named That two such
aspiring politicians, each striving to OBJ
tain the same prize, should not dwell har-
moniously together in the same office Is
not strange. Indeed we may reasonably
credit the story that they considered them
selves rivals, and that numerous acrimo
NOUS passages took place between them.
was not surprised, therefore, one morning
to see Mr.. Lincoln come rushing up into
my quarters and with more or less agita-
ton tell me he had determined to sever the
partnership with Logan l confess l was
surprised when he invited me to become
his partner. l was young in the practice
and was painfully aware of my want OF
ability and experience, but when he re-
marked in his earnest, honest way, BILLY,
l can trust sou, if you can trust me, l
felt relieved and accepted the generous
proposal In after years, when he became
more prominent and our practice grew to
respectable proportions, other ambitious
practitioners undertook to supplant me in
the partnership. One of the latter more
jealous than wise, charged tha5 was in
certain way weakening the influence of
the firm. l am tlattered to know that Lin
coin turned on this last named individual
with the retort: Il know my own bust
ness, I reckon. l know Billy Herndon
better than anybody, and even if what you
say of him is true l intend to stick by
him"
A Dangerous Rival,
Lincoln's effort to obtain the congress
sional nomination in 1913 brought out
several unique aud amusing incidents. He
and Edward d Baker were the two aspir-
ants from Sangamon county, but Bakers
long residence, extensive acquaintance
and general popularity were obstacles Lin
coin could not overcome. Accordingly, at |
the last moment, Lincoln reluctantly |
withdrew from the field. In a letter to |
his friend Speed, dated March "a, 1843, he |
describes the situation as follows: I'VE |
had meeting of the Wings of the county
here on last Monday, to appoint delegates
to district convention, and Baker beat |
me and got the delegation instructed to
go for him. The meeting, in spite of my
attempt to decline it, appointed me one of
the delegates, so that in getting Baker the
1 shall be fixed good deal
like fellow who is made groomsman to a
man that has cut him out and is marry
ing his own dear gal" Only few days
before this he had written friend anent
the congressional matter: NOW, if you
should hear any one say that Lincoln don It
want to 60 to congress- l wish you, as a
personal friend of mine, would tell him
you have reason to believe he is mistaken.
The truth is l would like to go very much.
Still, circumstances may happen which
may prevent my being a candidate. If
here are any who be my friends in such
IN enterprise, what now want is that
they shall not throw me away just yet"
To another friend in the adjoining county
If Menard few days after the meeting of
he Wings in Sangamon, he explains how
Baker defeated him.
Accused of Being an Aristocrat.
The entire absence of any feeling of
or what the politicians call re-
,enge, is the most striking feature of the
etter. 1t is truly gratifying" he says,
to me to learn that while the people of
Sangamon have cast me off my old friends
# Menard, who have known me longest
md best, stick to me. 1t would astonish
not amuse the older citizens to learn
hat l, strange friendless uneducated
,enniless boy, working on a flatboat at
10 per month, have been put down here
IS the candidate of pride, wealth and arts
ocratic family distinction. Yet so, chiefly,
t was There was, too the strangest COM
,ination of church influence against me.
Baker is Campbellite, and therefore, as
suppose, with few exceptions, got all ,
DdU CnurCu. My WIG mas some reldUlOnS .
n the Presbyterian churches and some
With the Episcopalian churches, and there
ore, wherever it would tell, l was set
own as either the one or the other, while
t was everywhere contended that no
,hristian ought to go for me, because /
elonged to no church, was suspected of
eing a Deist and had talked about fight
ng duel With all these things Baker, g
( course, had nothing to do, nor do l |
omplain of them. AS to his own church !
ding for him, / think that was right q
nough, and as to the influences / have I
poken of In the other, though they were ,
cry strong, it would be grossly untrue
nd unjust to charge that they acted upon b
lem in a body or were very near So D
My mean that those influences levied a .
TX of considerable'p per cent and through {
ut the religiouscontroversy" To prop .
;ition Offering to instruct the Menard G
elegation for him, he replies: You say n
1u shall instruct your delegates for me o
Mess object. / certainly shall not OBJ
ct That would be too pleasant com
iment for me TO tread in the dust And
ssides, If anything should happen (which,
1wever, is not probable) by which Baker p
lould be thrown out of the fight, would a
, at liberty 90 accept the nomination II
uld get it. i do, however, feel myself u
,und not to hinder him in any way from 81
,tting the nomination. l should despise g
yself were i to attempt it. "