he walked to Springfield, a distance of about twentyfive miles, borrowed enough books to make a commencement, and returned with them to New Salem. He would study as long as his money lasted, and as the opportunity to do more surveying presented itself, he would earn all the money he could and return to his studies.

In the autumn of 1836, Mr. Lincoln was admitted to the bar in Springfield, and about the same time reelected to the State Legislature. Sangamon county was entitled to two Senators and seven Representatives. At that term the entire delegation were so tall that they were then and have always since been called the "Long Nine." Some of them were a little less and some a little more than six feet, but their combined height was exactly fifty-four feet. None were taller than Abraham Lincoln. The statement written by himself, in December, 1859, at the request of Hon. Jesse W. Fell, of Bloomington, contains this paragragh: "If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be said I am in height six feet, four inches nearly; lean in flesh; weigh, on an average, one hundred and sixty pounds; dark complexion, with coarse, black hair, and gray eyes-no other marks or brands recollected." It was at the session of 1836-7 that the capital was removed from Vandalia to Springfield. At the close of that session, Mr. Lincoln walked home as before. His Springfield friend, Major Stuart, at this time made him an offer to become his partner in the practice of law, which he accepted, and from April 27, 1837, Springfield was his home. Here he was warmly welcomed on account of his efficient aid in securing the removal of the capital to Springfield. The people were still anxious to keep him in the Legislature, and he was elected in 1838 and again in 1840, but after that declined to be a candidate.

The firm of Stuart & Lincoln continued to practice until April 14, 1841, when Mr. Stuart was elected to a seat in the U. S. House of Representatives, which made it necessary to dissolve the law firm. Mr. Lincoln at once formed a partnership with Judge S. T. Logan, then and now a citizen of Springfield. They were partners until 1845. He then formed a partnership with William H. Herndon, as Lincoln & Herndon, which continued to the end of his life.

Mr. Lincoln was married in Springfield to Miss Mary Todd, November 4, 1842. In 1846 he was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives, and when he took his seat in that body was the only Whig from Illinois, all the others being Democrats.

After serving out his two years congressional term, he was for nearly ten years diligently engaged in the practice of his profession, without being a candidate before the people for any office whatever. But he was by no means an idle spectator of the political acts passing in review before him. He was gradually preparing, perhaps unconscious to himself, for the great events in which he was to act so conspicuous a part. By his occasional speeches, he was gaining a national reputation.

In the first Republican National Convention, which assembled in Philadelphia June 17, 1856, he received 110 votes as the candidate for Vice President, to 259 for Dayton. This of course decided the matter against him, but it was complimentary, and was a formal introduction of Mr. Lincoln to the Nation.

His name headed the Republican electorial ticket for. Illinois, and he took an active part in the campaign for Fremont and Dayton. From the time of this campaign to the end of his life, Mr. Lincoln was almost entirely absorbed in politics.

Although United States Senators are not elected by the popular vote, events brought the subject as prominently before the people of Illinois in 1858 as if they

had been expected to vote upon it. It was known that it would be a part of the business of the General Assembly to be elected that year to choose a United States Senator to succeed Stephen A. Douglas, and that he was a canidate for re-election. The Democratic State Convention of Illinois assembled in Springfield, April 21, of that year, and endorsed the course of Mr. Douglas in Congress on the slavery question. This endorsement was understood by all parties to be equivalent to a nomination for re-election.

The Republican State Convention also assembled. in Springfield, on the 16th of June following. There were about six hundred delegates to this convention, and enough of their alternates were present to make about one thousand earnest men from all parts of the State. A banner was borne into the convention from Chicago bearing the words, "Cook county for Abraham Lincoln." The whole convention rose to its feet and gave three cheers. After adopting a platform and transacting all other business, a resolution was brought forward and unanimously adopted on the 17th, "that Hon. Abraham Lincoln is our first and only choice for United States Senator, to fill the vacancy about to be created by the expiration of Mr. Douglas' term of office" Frequent calls were made for a speech from Mr. Lincoln. It was at length announced that he would address the convention at the State House in the evening. In that speech he defined in the clearest language the issue between the friends and enemies. of slavery, and gave as his opinion that "a house divided against itself cannot stand," and that the United States would either become all slave or all free; and pointed out so clearly the duty of the friends of freedom that the convention adjourned in the highest state of enthusiasm.

The work now for the two candidates was, to each exert his influence in the choice of members of the

Legislature, the slavery question being the only point at issue. At first their appointments were made independent of each other. Mr. Douglas spoke at Chicago on the 9th and Mr. Lincoln on the 10th of July. On the 16th, Mr. Douglas spoke at Bloomington, Mr. Lincoln being present. On the 17th, both spoke at Springfield to different audiences, neither one hearing the other.

Mr. Lincoln, wishing to come to close work on the subject, addressed the following note to Mr. Douglas:

Hon. S. A. Douglas:

CHICAGO, ILL., July 24, 1858.

MY DEAR SIR: Will it be agreeable to you to make an arrangement for you and myself to divide time and address the same audiences the present canvass? Mr. Judd, who will hand you this, is authorized to receive your answer; and, if agreeable to you, to enter into the terms of such arrangement.

Your obedient servant,

A. LINCOLN.

Mr. Douglas replied the same day at some length. Mr. Lincoln addressed Mr. Douglas again on the 29th, and Mr. Douglas replied on the 30th of the same month, accepting the proposition for discussion, and naming the following seven places and times for holding the meetings:

Mr. Lincoln addressed Mr. Douglas on the 31st, acquiescing in the arrangement, and the debates were held at the times and places designated.

The principles of each party were thoroughly discussed, and the weak points of both fully exposed. The discussion was fair, open and manly, the warmest friendship being sustained between the disputants throughout the campaign.

A small majority of the members of the Legislature elected as the result of this canvass were in favor of Mr. Douglas. Mr. Douglas was accordingly returned to the U. S. Senate. Notwithstanding Mr. Lincoln was defeated in the immediate object of the canvass, there is little doubt that it was the means of placing him in the Presidential chair. The principles upon which the Republican party asked the confidence of the American people are not so clearly set forth in any other form as in his speeches in this discussion. These speeches took the whole range of the extension and restriction of slavery in the territories, and the manner in which Mr. Lincoln presented the subject was so clear and logical that it commanded the attention of the people, east, west, north and south. During the year 1859, he visited Kansas, Ohio and New York, and made several speeches of great ability. Albert D. Richardson, who accompanied him to Kansas, referring to his speech delivered in a rickety old court house in Troy, Doniphan county, on a cold, windy November night, says that a Democratic speaker present attempted to reply, but did little more than compliment Mr. Lincoln by saying that it was the finest speech he had ever listened to on the Republican side of the question.

A speech delivered by him in Cincinnati, early in 1860, to an audience in which he assumed there were some Kentuckians, discussed the question with the the border slave States in his own peculiar style. It is yet remembered in that city for its extraordinary

power.

An elaborate article, prepared by Senator Douglas, appeared in Harper's Magazine, in the latter part of