Part 24 (1/2)

IF ALL FAILED, HE COULD GO BACK TO THE OLD TRADE!

The Illinois Republican State Convention of 1860 met at Decatur, in a _wigwam_ built for the purpose, a type of that noted in the Lincoln annals as at Chicago. A special welcome was given to Abraham Lincoln as a ”distinguished citizen of Illinois, and one she will ever be delighted to honor.” The session was suddenly interrupted by the chairman saying: ”There is an old Democrat outside who has something to present to the convention.”

The present was two old fence-rails, carried on the shoulder of an elderly man, recognized by Lincoln as his cousin John Hanks, and by the Sangamon folks as an old settler in the Bottoms. The rails were explained by a banner reading:

”Two rails from a lot made by Abraham Lincoln and John Hanks, in the Sangamon Bottom, in the year 1830.”

Thunderous cheers for ”the rail-splitter” resounded, for this slur on the statesman had recoiled on aspersers and was used as a t.i.tle of honor. The call for confirmation of the a.s.sertion led Lincoln to rise, and blus.h.i.+ng--so recorded--said:

”Gentlemen: I suppose you want to know something about those things.

Well, the truth is, John and I did make rails in the Sangamon Bottom.”

He eyed the wood with the knowingness of an authority on ”stumpage,”

and added: ”I don't know whether we made those rails or not; the fact is, I don't think they are a credit to the makers!” It was John Hanks'

turn to blush. ”But I do know this: I made rails then, and, I think, I could make better ones now!”

Whereupon, by acclamation, Abraham Lincoln was declared to be ”first choice of the Republican party in Illinois for the Presidency.”

Riding a man in on a rail became of different and honorable meaning from that out.

This incident was a prepared theatrical effect. Governor Oglesby arranged with Lincoln's stepbrother, John D. Johnston, to provide two rails, and, with Lincoln's mother's cousin, Dennis Hanks, for the latter to bring in the rails at the telling juncture. Lincoln's guarded manner about identifying the rails and sly slap at his ability to make better ones show that he was in the scheme through recognizing that the dodge was of value politically.

(Confirmed by several present, notably by Missouri Congressman John Davis, who was taking notes, and by the present Speaker, Joseph Cannon, also ”a gentleman from Illinois.” He was at this meeting and saw Lincoln standing on the platform, between the rails he split. He thought then that the orator's years of hard work and close study told on him and that serious illness impended. It may be added, as a link with the past, that on hearing; Lincoln and Douglas in their debates, his courage and hopes as to advance through public speaking fell; yet he was State attorney.)

AS A LIGHT PORTER.

One morning when Lawyer Lincoln was walking from his house to the state-house, at Springfield, he spied a child weeping at a gate. The girl had been promised a trip by the railroad-cars for the first time; all was arranged for her to meet another little companion and travel with her, but she was detained from getting out for the station, as no one was about to carry her trunk. She drew the conclusion that she must lose her train, and she burst into fresh tears.

The box in question was a toy casket proportionate to her size.

Lincoln smiled, and that almost dismissed her tears if not her fears.

They were immediately dispelled, however, by his cheerily crying out:

”Is that all? Pooh-pooh! Dry your eyes and step out.”

He reached over the fence and lifted clear across to him the trunk. He raised it on his shoulder with the other hand, crossing as a corn-bag is carried. He grabbed her by the hand just as the tooting of the train whistle was heard in the mid-distance. So half-lugging her, the pair hurried along to the depot, reaching it as the cars rolled in and pulled up.