The Dolores star., 1919-02-07
Martured President Most lllustrious
Example of What World Calls the


Whether Lincoln ever would have been heard
of had not the Black Hawk war occurred about Il
year after he went to work at New Salem. Sanga-
mon county. remains question. 1t need not
bother any one, however. because the war did
occur and Lincoln did 90 into it captain OF
volunteers.
This might be said to have been the turning
point In his career. Up to this time he had not
found himself. He was studying but drifting. He
does not appear to have had any aim in life be-
N"nd the ambition to educate himself and to sue
ceed.
Lincoln afterward said that his experience in
the Black Hawk gave him greater pleasure
than anything that had occurred to him up to
that time. He had no opportunity to distinguish
himself in that little conflict, but he returned to
New Salem man Of more public Importance than
when he left 1t. He started store but it failed.
and the debts fell upon him. He was appointed
postmaster. the first federal office he ever held.
He ran for the legislature but was defeated. But
the next election he again. and was elected
and later returned for another term.
law and Politics
While he was keeping II general store he began
the study of law. He once said that one of his
first books copy of the laws of lndai,o.
and That was about all the lazy he knew up to
that time.
1t was while serving us legislator in Illinois
that Lincoln first turned his attention TO the blot
might and influence. After he decided to retire
from the legislature he started to practice law,
having been licensed TO practice in 1881 He re-
moved to Springfield, where the remainder of his
days, until he went to Washington as president
We're mainly spent.
In lSiG he elected TO seat in congress,
hut he declined reelection and settled down tc
the practice of his profession in Springfield
Lincoln spent his spare time in the store of ha
TREND Joshua Speed, which was the rendezvous
of many prominent men in that section. He was
famed for his stories and for his kecnness in do
bate. 1t was in This little general store that Lin
coin first met Douglas in debate. Douglas was
regarded far and wide little giant III debate.
and he remarked that the store place for
him to debate any question with Lincoln.
BY this time Lincoln had become something OF n
politician. His party the Whg He took n
lively interest in political affairs. and finally took
part on the Wing side in joint debate with the
Democrats. Lincoln the last speaker in that
debate but his words took the deepest hold of tile
spectators and added greatly to his reputation
1t was in Springfield that Lincoln married Mary
Todd, who it is interesting putc. was also
sought in marriage by Douglas who thus became
Lincoln's opponent in love well as in politics
but was beaten by him in both.
AS Il lawyer Lincoln might have appeared lazy
those who did not understand his methods. He
disllked Office work and the drawing of legal pa
pers, but when case had to be brought to the
attention of jury court Lincoln was in his
element He was born dcbater and story-teller
He knew how to get the jury in good hunlor and
how TO make his point TO them reach home
lie had the genius for putting the human touch to
al he did, and his homely Smiles and good stories
often went further than his opponents knowledge
of the law.
Apostle of Abolition.
But il should not be imagined that Lincoln knew
no law, for that would be mistake. He often
world o the small hours of thp uiuht rand
ing law and studying case. while his opponents
probably would be soundly sleeping. When he
went into court he was master of his case, and
that goes long way toward winning a verdict
The practice Of law was beginning to take Il
firm hold on Lincoln to the exclusion of politics
when the Missouri Compromise was enacted That
reused him. and from that time onward he was
strongly for the abolition of slavery
His position known throughout the conn
try for he had stumped the East for Taylor wears
before. and the stories of his quiet hunor and
fund of nnecdote had penetrated the East conse.
quently, when it was evident to the country that
il stood the of conflict between slavery
and abolition, Lincoln was made the nominee of
the party that firmly intrenched on the prn.
cple of compromise with Shareholders He
was nominated and enthusiastically elected
at the national election in 1860
He had scarcely taken his seat when the war
burst upon the country 1t was trying time and
no suffered under it more than did Lincoln
himself. But he meant to do his duty and as
always had been his habit, he did 1t then. although
1t was most unpleasant and most difficult
When the made its inroads into MANY
homes. Lincoln had an unpleasant duty to per
form He symphthized with the mothers left nj
home and did what he could for their boys at the
front He received the mothers at the White
House, talked things over with them, and nearly
every one OF them left feeling that her boy had /,
friend who looked after him although he was far
IN, mn nriny duty
1t was this gentle character who was coldly
struck down Just when the was Mt an end
and the country was getting ready to rejoice nj
the glorious news. The whole country, South ms
well as North mourned the loss, for even In the
South where the war had been most disastrous
the name OF Lincoln was Joined In memory with
u grand human. just character who was even
more than nun.