ain of a volunteer
company, a success that gave me more pleasure than any I have had
since. I went into the campaign--was elated--ran for the
legislature the same year (1832), and was beaten--the only time I
ever have been beaten by the people. The next, and three succeeding
biennial elections, I was elected to the Legislature. I was not a
candidate afterward. During the legislative period I had studied
law and removed to Springfield to practice it. In 1846 I was
elected to the lower house of Congress. Was not a candidate for
reelection. From 1849 to 1854, inclusive, practiced law more
assiduously than ever before. Always a Whig in politics, and
generally on the Whig electoral tickets, making active canvasses. I
was losing interest in politics when the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise aroused me again.

"If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be
said that I am in height six feet four inches, nearly; lean in
flesh, weighing on an average one hundred and eighty pounds; dark
complexion, with coarse black hair and gray eyes. No other marks or
brands recollected."

There is the whole story, told by himself, and brought down to the point
where he became a figure of national importance.

His political philosophy was expounded in four elaborate speeches; one
delivered at Peoria, Illinois, the 16th of October, 1854; one at
Springfield, Illinois, the 16th of June, 1858; one at Columbus, Ohio,
the 16th of September, 1859, and one the 27th of February, 1860, at
Cooper Institute, in the city of New York. Of course Mr. Lincoln made
many speeches and very good speeches. But these four, progressive in
character, contain the sum total of his creed touching the organic
character of the Government and at the same time his party view of
contemporary issues. They show him to have been an old-line Whig of the
school of Henry Clay, with strong emancipation leanings; a thorough
anti-slavery man, but never an extremist or an abolitionist. To the last
he hewed to the line thus laid down.

Two or three years ago I referred to Abraham Lincoln--in a casual
way--as one "inspired of God." I was taken to task for this and thrown
upon my defense. Knowing less then than I know now of Mr. Lincoln, I
confined myself to the superficial aspects of the case; to the career
of a man who seemed to have lacked the opportunity to prepare himself