t between opposing and enduring forces,
and it means that the United States must, and will, sooner or later,
become either entirely a slave-holding nation, or entirely a free-labor
nation."

Seward, who had simply followed in Lincoln's steps, was defeated for the
Presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention of 1860,
because he was "too radical," and Lincoln, who was still "radicaler,"
was named.

SAVED BY A LETTER.

The chief interest of the Illinois campaign of 1843 lay in the race
for Congress in the Capital district, which was between Hardin--fiery,
eloquent, and impetuous Democrat--and Lincoln--plain, practical, and
ennobled Whig. The world knows the result. Lincoln was elected.

It is not so much his election as the manner in which he secured his
nomination with which we have to deal. Before that ever-memorable spring
Lincoln vacillated between the courts of Springfield, rated as a plain,
honest, logical Whig, with no ambition higher politically than to occupy
some good home office.

Late in the fall of 1842 his name began to be mentioned in connection
with Congressional aspirations, which fact greatly annoyed the leaders
of his political party, who had already selected as the Whig candidate
E. D. Baker, afterward the gallant Colonel who fell so bravely and died
such an honorable death on the battlefield of Ball's Bluff.

Despite all efforts of his opponents within his party, the name of the
"gaunt rail-splitter" was hailed with acclaim by the masses, to whom
he had endeared himself by his witticisms, honest tongue, and quaint
philosophy when on the stump, or mingling with them in their homes.

The convention, which met in early spring, in the city of Springfield,
was to be composed of the usual number of delegates. The contest for the
nomination was spirited and exciting.

A few weeks before the meeting of the convention the fact was found by
the leaders that the advantage lay with Lincoln, and that unless they
pulled some very fine wires nothing could save Baker.

They attempted to play the game that has so often won, by "convincing"
delegates under instructions for Lincoln to violate them, and vote for
Baker. They had apparently succeeded.

"The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley." So it was in this
case. Two days before the convention Lincoln received an intimation of
this, and, late at night, wrote the following letter.

The letter was addressed to Martin Morris,