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Lincoln the Politician
Joey Oberkfell In 1832, at the age of 23, Abraham Lincoln announced his intention to run for the Illinois legislature. Lincoln made this announcement with a letter printed as a handbill. In this letter, he stated his position on issues such as improving the Sangamon River to help his home of New Salem. He also came out in favor of religion, morality, and education. He stated his position against unfairly high interest rates on loans. Shortly after announcing he would run, the young Lincoln served in the Black Hawk War. After his discharge from the militia, the would-be politician campaigned for election but was defeated. However, he did receive the vast majority of the votes cast in the New Salem precinct. The United States' future Sixteenth President had made his start in politics. In 1834 Lincoln again ran for the state legislature, this time winning the election. Lincoln served four terms in the state legislature. During this time, he learned much of politics and became a skilled politician. One of Lincoln's accomplishments during his tenure was helping to move the state capitol from Vandalia to Springfield in 1837. In addition to being a legislator, Lincoln studied law. In 1837 he received his license, moved to Springfield, and began practicing law. In 1842 Lincoln married Mary Todd. During their marriage, they had four sons. Only the oldest, Robert, lived to adulthood. After an unsuccessful attempt in 1844, Lincoln received the Whig Party's nomination to run for U. S. House of Representatives in 1846. He won election to the 1847-1849 term. In Congress, Lincoln consistently criticized President Folk's policy on the Mexican War. At the same time, he voted to support the troops in the field. Lincoln's constituents were very unhappy over his opposition to the war. The only other distinction Lincoln was to win as a representative was as a humorous speaker. However, he did meet many people who were to be a part of his later life. When he returned to Springfield in 1849, Lincoln practiced law. Lincoln soon gained a reputation as an effective speaker. He was also an outstanding lawyer who tried many cases. Some of his clients were wealthy individuals or companies, and large amounts of money were involved. Others were common people. During this period of his life, Lincoln remained active in politics and grew in reputation. In 1854 the Kansas-Nebraska Act made possible the spread of slavery. This angered Lincoln, and on October 4, 1854, he made one of the greatest speeches of his career in opposition to it. Lincoln's campaigning was so effective that he became a contender for election to the U. S. Senate seat occupied by James Shields. Lincoln did not win the election, but he did continue to work against slavery. His anti-slavery beliefs were to have great consequences after his election to the presidency. In 1856 he joined the Republican Party and got 110 votes for the vice-presidential nomination. In
1858 Lincoln was chosen to oppose Stephen A. Douglas for election to the U. S. Senate. He opened his campaign with the famous speech declaring, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Lincoln was defeated, but he won a national reputation through his campaign against Douglas. There was talk of him becoming the Republican presidential nominee in 1860. Lincoln's humble background aroused enthusiasm among the voters. He had been in no trouble and had no enemies. Old friends from the Illinois Bar talked about the good in him. On May 18, 1860, Abraham Lincoln received the Republican nomination for president of the United States. Lincoln stayed in Springfield after the nomination. He made no speeches or statements. On November 6, 1860, he was elected by an electoral majority, but was a minority president. He did not receive more than 50 percent of the popular vote. The southern states had no use for Lincoln because of his antislavery views. Lincoln believed slavery would die out on its own where it already existed, and was willing to leave it alone. However, he was opposed to its spread to other states, and this opposition angered the South. After his election, Lincoln quietly decided on cabinet members and other high officers for his administration. He wanted to avoid trouble with the South if possible, but his election pushed the South to secede. Abraham Lincoln became the president of a "house divided" by four years of civil war.—[From Carl Sandburg, Abraham Lincoln]
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