Year: 1860

As Western man, wish space to give vent
to my enthusiasm over the nomination of Hon
Abram Lincoln for President of the United
States. Mr.. Lincoln, or I" Old Abe," as his
tuckian by birth, he emgrated to Illinois in his
boyhood, where he earned his living at the an
vii, devoting his leisure hours to study. Hav-
ing chosen the law as his future calling, he de-
voted himself assidiouSly to its mastery, conten-
ding at every step with adverse fortune.- Dur
ing this period of study, he found home under
the hospitbale roof of one Armstrong, farmer
who lived in log house some eight miles from
the village of Petersburg, Menard Co. Here
clad in home-spun, with elbows out, and knees
covered with patches, young Lincoln would mas
ter his lessons by the fire light of the cabin, and
then walk to town for the purpose of recitation.
This man Armstrong was himself poor, but he
saw the genius struggling in the young student,
and opened to him his rude home and bid him
welcome to his coarse fare How Lincoln grad


uated with promise-how he has more than full
filled that promise-how honorably he acquit-
ted himself alike on the battlefield, in defend
ing our border settlements against the ravages
of savage foes and in the halls Of our National
Legislature are matters of history and need no
repetition here. But one little incident of a
more private nature, standing as it does as u
sort Of sequel to some things already alluded to,
deem it worthy of record. Some years since
the oldest son Of Mr.. Liucoh's old friend Arm
strong the chief support of his widowed moth
er-the good old man having some time previ-
ously passed from earth-was arrested on the
charge of murder. A young man had been kill
led during riotous melee, in the night time at
a camp meeting, and one of his associates stated
that the death wound was inflicted by young
Armstrong. preliminary examination was
lively that there seemed no doubt of the guilt
of the prisoner, and therefore he was held Tor
trial. As it is too often the case, the bloody
act caused an undue degree of excitement in the
public mind. Every improper incident in the
life of the prisoner-each act which bore tho
least semblance Of rowdyism-each school boy
quarrel was suddenly remembered and magnif-
ed until they pictured him as iend Of the
most horrible hue. As these rumors spread
abroad, they were received as gospel truth, and
feverish desire for vengeance seized upon the
infatuated populace, whilst only prison bars
prevented horrible death at the hands Of q
mob. The events were heralded in country pa
pers, painted in highest colors, accompanied by
rejoicing over the certainty Of punishment being
meted out to the guilty party. The prisoner,
overwhelmed by the circumstances under which
no found himself placed. fell into a very melan-
choly condition, bordering upon despair; and
the widowed mother, looking through her tears,
saw no cause for hope from earthly aid.


At this uncture, the widow received letter
from Mr. Lincoln, volunteering his services in
an effort to save the youth from the impending
stroke. Gladly was his aid accepted although
it seemed impossible for yen hissagacity pre-
vail in such a desperate case; but the heart OF
the attorney was in the work, and he set about
it with will that knew no such word as fail.
Feeling that the poisoned condition of the pub
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