The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-04-07
TIE GREAT AMERICAN.
Lincoln's Life in Springfield.
BY AUSTIN COOK.

Abraham Lincoln's ambition to be
elected to the State legislature oi
Illinois was realized in 1884, and,
with his scanty wardrobe under his
arm, he walked a hundred miles tc
Vandalia, then the State capital, tc
assume his new duties.
He served four terms, and then de-
clined re election. 1t was during his
service in the legislature that the
capital was removed to Springfield,
which move Lincoln earnestly advo-
Gated and that accomplished, he went
thither to try his fortune in the prac-
tice of law.
While member of the legislature
he, with one other member, had the
courage to sign protest against the
extension of slavery, thus sounding
his first bugle call in behalf of an
oppressed and downtrodden people.
Little did the citizens of Springfield
realize that beautiful spring morning,
in 1887, that their city would receive
its brightest luster from being the
home of the tall, gaunt, poorly dress
ed young man who rode into town
with all his worldly possessions pack
ed in two saddle bags.
From his earliest youth Abraham
Lincoln had possessed the happy fac
ulty of making friends. and these did
not fail him now.
His was one of those large natures
as willing to receive favor as to
grant one, and he gladly accepted
Joshua Speeds cordial invitation to
share his room. He carried his bag
gage up stairs and coming down with
a beaming smile on his plain and hon.
est countenance, said: well, Speed,
I'm moved"
Another friend kindly made place
for him at his table, while third re.
ceived him into his Office. Thus he
was fairly launched upon new career,
his only capital being well-stored
brain, a willingness TO work, and a
determination to succeed.
1t must have been a great satisfac-
tion to those friends who, in his early
struggles with poverty, extended to
Lincoln helping hand, to feel that
they had thus assisted him in reach
ing the lofty eminence he afterward
attained.
Mr.. Lincoln's choice of profes.
| sion was wise one, as he possessed
the characteristics necessary for an
able lawyer-a keen intellect, quick,
intuitive mind, fine sense of humor
the faculty of using an appropriate
anecdote with telling effect and, more
than all, an intense love of truth and
justice.
He would take no case that he did
not feel convinced was in the right,
which inspired such confidence in his
judgment that a case was half won
when it became known that Abraham
Lincoln had undertaken it. He ac'
quired an extensive, but never lucra'
tive practice, as his time and talents
were largely expended upon those
from whom he expected no financial
| return.
An interesting instance of this was
when he defended the son of Jack
Armstrong, friend whose friendship
he had so effectually won by vanquish
ing him in honorable combat, during
his clerking days at New Salem.
The boy was accused of murder
with the most convincing evidence
against him. The father was dead
and the heart broken mother was toe
poor to engage counsel. Lincolr
hastened to her assistance. The prin
cipal witness declared that, by the
light of the moon, he saw the boy
strike the blow. Mr.. Lincoln pro
duced an almanac which showed tha
on the night stated no moon wa
shining, and then, having destroyed
the evidence he poured forth such i;
scathing rebuke upon one who woult
thus try to deprive fellow being o
his life and reputation, that the wit
ness sat conscience stricken before
him, while the jury brought in ;
unanimous verdict OF mot guilty"
The attorneys only reward wa
the mothers grateful tears and th
joyful throbbing of his own grea
heart.
Mr.. Lincoln was married in 1912 t,
Miss Mary Todd, bright Kentuck.
girl and society belle. When laugh
ed at for her choice, she retorted tha
she was marrying "a man grea
enough to be President"
They INDUCED in no wedding jour
ney, but took up their abode in tn
Globe Tavern, at Springfield, payin
the muni6cent sum of four dollars
week. Mr.. Lincoln soon afterwar
bought,a simple little cottage, wher
they delighted to entertain thei
friends.
In 1916 Lincoln was elected to Cor
gress, the only Whig from Illinois.
During the session he held an hor
orable but inconspicuous place. H
was there thrown into daily inter
course with such men as Clay, Wei
ster and Calhoun, and greatly appre
ciated the opportunity afforded hii
for intellectual improvement.
He absorbed information as th
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