The Elbert County tribune., 1919-02-07
Martured President Most IllustEious
Example of What World Calls the
Self-Made Man.

mon county remains a question. 1t need not
bother any one. however, because the war did
occur and Lincoln did go Into it as a,captsin OF
volunteers.
This might be said to have been the turning
point in his Up to this time he had not
found himself. lie studying. but drifting. He
does not appear to have had any aim in life be-
yond the ambition to educate himself and to sue
coed.
Lincoln afterwnrd said that his experience in
the Black Hawk gave him greater pleasure
than anything that had occurred to him up tc
tiat time lie 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 IT, He started n store, but 1t failed,
ana the debts fell upon him lie was appointed
postmaster, the first federal office he ever held
He ran FOR the Legislature. but defeated. But
the next election he ran again. and was elected
and later returned for another fern
Law and Politics.
While he was keeping general store he BEGAN
the study or law. lie said that of his
first books copy ,of the laws of Indiam
and that was about all the law ne knew up to
that lime. .at sef ~ ,tt
4 It was while serving as a legislator In Illinois
tlat Lincoln erst turned his attention to the blot
of slavery. which he began to oppose with all his
might and influence. After he decided to retire
from The legislature he started TO practice law
having been licensed to practice in 1887. He re-
moved 10 Springfield, where the remainder of his
days. until he went to Washington president
were mainly spent.
In 1916 lac elected to u seat in congress
but lie declined reelection and settled down to
the practice OF his profession in Springfield
Lincoln spent his spare time in the store of his
friend Joshua Speed. which the rendezvous
of many prominent men in that section. He was
fipned Tor his stories and for his keenness in de-
bate. Ii was in this little general store that Lin
coin first met Douglas in debate. Douglas was
regarded far and wide little giant in debate
and he remarked that The store was no place for
him TO debate any question with Lincoln.
BY this time Lincoln had become sometIng of a
politician His party the Whg. He took
lively interest in political affairs and finally took
part on the wlig side in joint debate with the
Democrats Lincoln was>he last speaker in that
debate, but his words took the deepest hold of the
spectators and added greatly to his reputation.
2 II was in Springfield that Lincoln married Mary
Todd. who. 1t is Interesting to note was also
sought in marriage by Douglns who thus became
Lincoln's opponent in lovesas well us in politics
but was beaten by him in both.
AS lawyer Lincoln might have appeared lazy
10 those who did not understand his methods He
dslikedL office work and tile drawing of legal pa
pers. but when n case had to be brought to the
attention of jury a court Lincoln WAS in hi.
element. He was born debater and story-teller
He knew how TO get the jury in good humor ant
how TO make his point to them reach home
He had the genius for putting the human touch t.
often Went further Than his opponents knowledge
of the law.
Apostle of Abolition
But it should not be Imagined that Lincoln knew
no law, for that would be mistake He OTTER
would sit up to the small hours of the night read
ing law and studying case, while his opponent,
probably would be soundly sleeping When h,
went into court he master of his case an.
that goes long way toward winning verdict
The practice of law was beginning to take ;
firm hold on Lincoln to the exclusion of polite.
when the Missouri Compromise was enacted. Tha
reused him. and from that time onward he WI.
strongly for the abolition of slavery.
His position was known throughout the coun
try, for he had stumped the East for Taylor years
before, and the stories of his quiet humor and
fund of anecdote had penetrated the East corlse
quently, when 1t was evident to the country thai
it stood the eve of a conflict between shaver,
and abolition, Lincoln was made the nominee oi
the party that firmly ntrenched on the prin
cfple of compromise with shareholders. HI
wis nominated, and was enthusiastically eIectec
nj the national election in 1850.
He hnd scarcely taken~is seat when the wa,
burst upon the country. 1t trying time an,
no one suffered under 1t more than did Lincoln
himself. But he meant to do his duty and a.
always had been his habit. he did it then although
IL was most unpleasant and most difficult
When the made its nroads into man,
homes, Lincoln had unpleasant duty to per
form He sympathzed with the mothers left al
home and did what he could for their boys ut tn,
front. lie received the mothers at the Whit,
House, talked things over with them. and nearl,
every one of them left feeling that her boy had :
friend who looked after him although he was fal
away in an army corps doing his duty
1t was this gentle character who was col,ll,
struck down just when the at an enc
and the country was getting ready 10 rejoice al
the glorious news The whole country South n.
well as North, mourned the loss. for even In the
South. where the war had been most disastrous
the OF Lincoln was joined in memory Will
grand. human. just character. who was ever
more than man.