Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-02-10

leICle lett his birthplace and gone TO
Indiana, and tnen later, in March,
i $50, emigIated to Illinois, finally
settling near New Salem, in that
state, and in this new county the
young man Lincoln was very popu-
lar. These friends, noting his un-
usual ability, AMI tendency toward
politics and law, encouraged him to
enter the legal profession and loaned
him the books. He was made depu-
ty Surveyor of Sangamon county, and
from 1888 to 1886 he was the post
time he again became candidate for
the legislature and personally con-
Quoting his own campaign, was elect
ed. 1t was in this Illinois legislature
that he first met Stephen A. Douglas,
who later was his great opponent.
His Love Affair.
In August, 1885, Anne Rutledge,
the beautiful girl to whom Lincoln
was betrothed, died suddenly. 'Tis
said that the death of this fair girl
shattered Lincoln's happiness and
that he, threw off his Infinite sorrow
only by leaping into the political
arena" He moved to Springfield in
1887 after having been elected to the
legislature the year before and be-
gan active life as lawyer. He mar
ried Miss Mary Todd in 1912. In
1916 he was first elected to congress,
taking his seat year later as mem
Der of the Thirtieth congress. He
was associated at this time in con-
gress with ex-President John Quincy
A n "a
III. Stephens. In the senate at this
time was Daniel Webster, Simon
Cameron, Lewis Cass, John C. Cal
houn and Jefferson Davis.
In 1S49, at the close of his term
in congress, he went back to Spring
| field and resumed his law practice
His fees were considered by the other
lawyers of that city as ridiculously
small. When the slavery agitation
grew on apace Lincoln was in the
forefront of the discussion. In 1858
his notable debates with Stephen A.
Douglas took place. In 1860 he was
nominated by the republican party
for the presidency and Stephen A.
Douglas was the nominee of the
democratic party. Lincoln was elect
| ed. and then came threats of seces-
sion on the part of the southern
states, realizing Lincoln's attitude
| toward slavery. He was inaugurated
| in March, 1861, amidst the most
| ominous conditions that a new presi-
dent was ever called upon to face"
| says Great Americans in History.
"He delivered an inaugural address
which for wisdom and consistency
has never been surpassed"
War Breaks Out.
Then came the attack upon Fort
Sumpter and on April 10, 1861,
President Lincoln issued call for
10000 volunteers. Four days after
this he issued proclamation for the
| blockade Of southern ports. Then
followed the awful battles of the
| Civil war. The Emancipation Proc
lamation was issued on January L.,
1863. In December, 1868, General
U. S. Grant was made commander in
chief of the Union armies.
In August, 1864, an attempt was
made upon Lincoln's life which fail
ed. He was returning on horseback
from the Soldiers Home, Washing
ton, ID. c., in the dusk of the even
ing, and an assassin fired upon him.
The bullet passed through the hat
| that Lincoln wore. At the request
of Lincoln this was kept very quiet.
Early in December, 1864, he sub
| mitted his fourth annual message to
congress. Soon after this congress
passed the Constitutional amend
ment, forever prohibiting slavery in
the territories of the United States.
| March 4, 1865, he was again in
augurated president. With the sur
render of General Lee the great war
of the rebellion was finished and Lin
coins cause was won. President
Lincoln entered Richmond with the
Union army, April IL, 1865. A few
days later, April IA, he was assas-
attending party at FOrd's theatre,
| Washington, ID. c.. He was buried
at Springfield, ILL.,, May A.
His last official act, on the after
noon before his death, was the sign
ing of pardon for soldier who was
| under sentence of death. This was
characteristic of his whole life
through, helping the unfortunate.
Some of his most notable deeds
| were the humble, lowly kindnesses
he performed almost every hour of
the day during his notable career. He
| is famous for his wit and his stories,
and for his speeches, but perhaps the
most famous, the masterpiece of lit
erature, practically imprOmptu, was
| his speech at the dedication of the
National Cemetery at Gettysburg,
November 10, 1868.
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