The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-02-14
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

| lie SlAleelllH president OF the
United States and the most far
seeing statesman this country ever
produced, Abraham Lincoln, was
born in Hardin county, Kentucky,
February II, 1909. His family
were of Quaker and Pennsylvania
origin. In 1916 his father settled
in Spencer county, Indiana, and
for ten years the future president
was employed at hard manual labor
on the paternal farm. The time
spent by him at school, to which
he went at intervals. did not
amount to more than a year. At
I9 he was six feet four, and his
physical capabilities were remark
able. When, in 1884, his father
removedto Macon county, Illinois,
Abraham not only helped to build
the family log hut, but with
single assistant split rails enough
to fence ten acres Of land. In 1871
he worked to New Orleans a flat
boat which he had assisted in
building. He became then for
time a clerk in the New Salem
store of the owner Of the boat, and
in 1882 entered, and was made cap
tain of, company of volunteers
raised on the breaking out of the
Black Hawk War. Unsuccessful
in the country store which he
opened, he was appointed postmas-
ter of New Salem, and-borrowing
from a neighboring practitioner
law books, to be returned in the
morning-spent his evenings in
the study of law. In 1884 he was
elected a member of the state
Legislature and he continued to be
reelected till 1870. In 1886 he
had been licensed to practice as
lawyer, and in 1887, commenced
business at Springfield, his resi-
denCe until he was elected presi-
dent. AS lawyer he became rap
idly successful, and in politics he
rose to be a prominent leader of
the Wing party in Illinois. In
1874 he Canvassed the state max
ing speeches almost daily in be-
half of Henry Clay for the Presi-
dency. In 1916 he was elected to
congress. He dist iuguished him
self as an opponent to the auneXa-
ton of Texas, and of the extension
OF slavery, and as a supporter of
its abolition i'll the District of Col
umbia. He advocated a protec-
tive tariff, the sale of public lands
al low price, and the system of
grants for the improvement of riv-
ers and harbors. When his term
ended he pursued the practice OF
his profession until the repeal of
the Missouri Compromise recalled
him to active political life.
Through his eXertions Republi-
can senator-the Wing party hav-
ing become extinct-was returned
by Illinois. In the presidential
election of 1886 he worked stren-
uously for Fremont, and his own
name was mentioned in connection
with the weep presidency. In 1886
he ran against Douglas as a Re-
publican candidate for the senate,
and after spirited contest Lin
coin secured large majority Of
the popular vote-the state legis-
lature, however. returning Doug
las. The struggle with Douglas
placed Lincoln in the foremost
rank of his party, and the Repub-
lican National Convention which
met in Chicago May 10, 1860, NOM
mated him for the presidency. He
was elected in November follow
ing. Before the time came to
take his seat, South Carolina and
other southern states had seeded,
and under the vacillating policy
of Buchanan were able to make all
their preparations for war.
Lincoln's administration was
largely devoted to the suppression
Of this formidable secession. In
these dark days the wisdom. sagac-
ity and patience of Lincoln were
proved to the country. On Janu-