bable that the majority accorded to the former the meed of victory. [See speech in "Appendix."]

In perhaps the severest test that could have been applied to any man's temper-his political contest with Senator Douglas in 1858-Mr. Lincoln not only proved himself an able speaker and a good tactician, but demonstrated that it is possible to carry on the fiercest political warfare, without once descending to rude personality and coarse denunciation. It is stated on the authority of a gentleman, who followed Mr. Lincoln throughout the whole of this campaign, that in spite of all the temptations to an opposite course to which he was continually exposed, no personalities against his opponent, no vituperation or coarseness, ever defiled his lips. His kind and genial nature lifted him above a resort to any such weapons of political warfare, and it was the commonly expressed regret of fiercer natures that he treated his opponent too courteously and urbanely. Vulgar personalities and vituperation are the last thing that can be truthfully charged against Abraham Lincoln. His heart was too genial, his good sense too strong, and his innate self-respect too predominant to permit him to indulge in them. His nobility of nature—and we may use the term advisedly-has been as manifest throughout his whole career as his temperate habits, his selfreliance, and his mental and intellectual power. This picture presented the man as he appeared and acted.

In his personal habits, Mr. Lincoln was as simple as a child. He loved a good dinner, and ate with the appetite which goes with a great brain, but his food was plain and nutritious. He never drank intoxicating liquors of any sort, not even a glass of wine. He was not addicted to tobacco in any of its shapes. He never used profane language.

Judah Benjamin, of Louisiana, one of the ablest of Southern senators, afterward Secretary of State in Jefferson Davis' cabinet, complimented Mr. Lincoln very highly, in the course of a speech wherein he had occasion to review this celebrated series of debates. Speaking of the queries propounded by Douglas to his opponent, and the answers they elicited, Mr. Benjamin observed::

"It is impossible, Mr. President, however we may differ in opinion with the man, not to admire the perfect candour and frankness with which these answers were given; no equivocation, no evasion."

During the campaign, Mr. Lincoln paid the following noble tribute to the Declaration of Independence:

"Now, my countrymen, if you have been taught doctrines conflicting with the great landmarks of the Declaration of Independence; if you have listened to suggestions which would take away from its grandeur, and mutilate the fair symmetry of its proportions; if you have been inclined to believe that all men are not created equal in those inalienable rights enumerated by our chart of liberty, let me entreat you to come back— return to the fountain whose waters spring close by the blood of the Revolution.

"You may do anything with me you choose, if you only heed these sacred principles. You may not only defeat me for the Senate, but you may take me and put me to death. While pretending no indifference to earthly honours, I do claim to be actuated in this contest by something higher than an anxiety for office. I charge you to drop every paltry and insignificant thought for any man's success. It is nothing; I am nothing; Judge Douglas is nothing. But do not destroy

that immortal emblem of humanity-the Declaration of American Independence."

The election day at length arrived. The popular vote stood for the Republican candidate, 126,084; for the Douglas Democrats, 121,940; for the Lecompton candidates, 5,091. But the vote for Senator being cast by the Legislature, Mr. Douglas was elected, his supporter having a majority of eight on joint ballot. Notwithstanding the result, the endeavours of Mr. Lincoln during the debate had caused an immense increase in the Republican vote; and his party had no reason to regret that their choice of a leader had fallen upon him.

Mr. Lincoln made several visits into other States after the close of the senatorial contest, and before the opening of the campaign of 1860. He made several speeches in Ohio in the following year; and also visited Kansas, where he was received with great enthusiasm. In February, 1860, he was in New York, and made a speech before the Young Men's Republican Club at the Cooper Institute, which made him many friends in a quarter where they were already numbered by the thousand. It was the finest oration, as such, pronounced by the eminent speaker up to that time, and commanded much attention from men of all classes.

A most touching incident occurred-probably during this visit which is thus narrated by a teacher at the Five Points House of Industry:

:

"Our Sunday school in the Five Points was assembled one Sabbath morning, when I noticed a tall, remarkable-looking man enter the room, and take a seat among us. He listened with fixed attention to our exercises, and his countenance expressed such genuine interest that I approached him and suggested that he might be

willing to say something to the children. He accepted the invitation with evident pleasure, and, coming forward, began a simple address, which at once fascinated every little hearer, and hushed the room into silence. His language was strikingly beautiful, and his tones musical with intensest feeling. The little faces around him would droop into sad conviction as he uttered sentences of warning, and would brighten into sunshine as he spoke cheerful words of promise. Once or twice he attempted to close his remarks, but the imperative shout of 'go on!' 'oh, go on!' would compel him to resume. As I looked upon the gaunt and sinewy frame of the stranger, and marked his powerful head and determined features, now touched into softness by the impressions of the moment, I felt an irrepressible curiosity to learn something more about him, and when he was quietly leaving the room, I begged to know his name. He courteously replied; 'It is Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois.'"

Abraham Lincoln had now become recognized as one of the most able, faithful, and consistent republican leaders. His known personal popularity, as well as his former services, now pointed to him as the fittest and most eligible candidate of his party in the coming Presidential election. He was first conspicuously named for the Presidency at a meeting of the Illinois State Republican Convention, where a Democrat of Macon county presented to the convention two gaily-decorated fence-rails, upon which were inscribed the following words::

"Abraham Lincoln, the rail candidate for President in 1860. Two rails from a lot of 3000, made in 1830 by Thomas Hanks and Abe Lincoln, whose father was the first pioneer of Macon county."

The production of these singular and appropriate tokens of the advantages which the American democratic institutions afforded to the humblest in life, was a signal for enthusiastic applause. Mr. Lincoln, who happened to be present as a spectator, was loudly called upon for a speech. He rose from his seat, acknowledged that he had been a rail-splitter some thirty years previous, and Isaid that he was informed that those before him were some which his own axe had hewn.

In the autumn of 1859, Mr. Lincoln, in compliance with invitations from various States, made several powerful speeches in favour of Republican principles, to one of which-that he delivered at Cooper Institute, New York, February 27th, 1860-we have already adverted. These speeches confirmed the impression which had been growing in the public mind since 1854, that Mr. Lincoln-" Honest Abe," as he was christened—was the man for President if the people could name their candidate; yet few really anticipated his nomination.

The Republican National Convention met at the "Wigwam," in Chicago, May 16th, 1860. Not less than ten thousand persons were in the building, while vast throngs blocked the entrance, and filled the grounds around, unable to obtain admission.

On Thursday morning the Convention again assembled at ten o'clock, and, upon the adoption of rules, it was agreed a majority should nominate the candidates.

The committee on resolutions then reported the platform, which was adopted with enthusiasm, the immense multitude of spectators rising to their feet, with cheer upon cheer of applause.

It had soon become evident that the actual contest