Lincoln in New Salem

Sarah Broom
Carbondale Community High School, Carbondale

In 1831 at the age of twenty-two Abraham Lincoln arrived in New Salem. He was drawn to the small frontier village, because of the diversity of its population. Abraham Lincoln was affected by New Salem in many ways that later influenced his political goals and values as president. Friends and events at New Salem helped him develop into an effective leader.

When Lincoln came to New Salem in July 1831, it was just in time to cast his vote for the first time, at John Camron's house. This political action helped establish him in the community by affiliating him with successful politicians. Lincoln remained at Camron's house as a lodger, and it was here he became acquainted with the community. Later when his companion and friend Denton Offutt arrived, they opened a frontier general store that served as a meeting place to gossip and discuss politics. Offutt often bragged about Lincoln's mental and physical strengths, and Lincoln soon was challenged to a wrestling match with Jack Armstrong. Accounts differ as to whether or not anyone won the match, but no report confirms that Lincoln was defeated. Afterwards, Jack Armstrong and his Clary's Grove Boys gang became strong supporters of Lincoln. This questionable group ruled the back woods, drank, and was known for playing tricks. Lincoln became the judge for their fights and horse races and a mediator in their disputes. This was very important to Abraham's success because it established a sense of belonging to New Salem.

Illustrated here is one account of the wrestling match with Jack Armstrong, which supposedly ended when Lincoln picked up his opponent and threw him.

This rougher side of Lincoln can also be shown by his lack of formal education. Here again Lincoln turned to the community for help and joined the debating society. As he developed his skills as a good speaker, he learned ways to use his physical appearance to persuade listeners. He charmed and tried to connect with the audience about the topics discussed. R. B. Rutledge, the president of the debating society, described Lincoln's first debate, saying, "As he rose to speak, his tall form towered above the little assembly ... A perceptible smile at once lit up the face of the audience, for all anticipated the relation of some humorous story, but he opened up the discussion in splendid style, to the infinite astonishment of his friends. . . He pursued the question with reason and argument so pithy and forcible that all were amazed." That night, R. B. Rutledge told his wife that, "there were more than wit and fun in Abe's head" and predicted that Lincoln would become a very effective speaker when he reached his full potential. As a result of his experiences in the debating society, Lincoln recognized his gift for public speaking and understood that he needed more education.

In his autobiographical sketch written in 1860, Lincoln described his attempts to improve. "After I had separated from my father, I studied English grammar, imperfectly of course, but so as to speak and write as well as I now do." Lincoln first studied under Mentor Graham, a schoolmaster who introduced him to Samuel Kirkham's English Grammar. Other friends like Bill Greene helped his study by reviewing questions with him until he "nearly mastered the six books by Euclid." Jack Kelso, the village philosopher, introduced Lincoln to history and literature through reading Shakespeare, Burns, and Byron. Lincoln read and studied these intensely while he worked in the general store.

However, by 1832, the Lincoln and Offutt store was failing. This could easily be attributed to Offutt's excessive expenses for the liquor he consumed. Also, in 1832, the Black Hawk War broke out. Lincoln joined the militia and was appointed Captain, which "gave me more pleasure than any I

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Lincoln's practice in debates and public speaking served him well when he rose to address the crowd at Gettysburg.

have had since." Even though he did not fight and did not capture Black Hawk, he did learn much about a private soldier's life. These experiences helped him to understand a soldier's point of view, which proved useful during his presidency. His experience as a captain also helped him develop and expand many friendships that would later be of importance in politics.

With the help of Graham, Abraham Lincoln announced his candidacy for the legislature in Springfield's Sangamo Journal. However, because he had just returned from the Black Hawk War, he only had two weeks to campaign. Lincoln spread the news of his candidacy by traveling house to house and helping farmers or any men with odd jobs and favors. Although he was not elected, the campaign was very significant. It widened Lincoln's popularity, gave him needed experience in public speaking, increased his confidence, and made him aware of the political process.

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing," he advised a young man who wanted to pursue a law career. This statement explains the way Lincoln lived, always trying to achieve his maximum potential. In New Salem, Abraham Lincoln experienced a variety of people, ideas, and events that greatly affected the person that he later became. They made him more than a man of power and great dignity, a man that understood the people. Of the many things that influenced Abraham Lincoln in his development as a real leader, one of the most significant was his experience in New Salem, Illinois.—[From American Heritage Junior Library, Abraham Lincoln, Peace and War; Paul M. Angle, Lincoln as a Postmaster; D. D. Barton, Abraham Lincoln and New Salem; Olivia Coolidge, The Apprenticeship of Abraham Lincoln; Paul Horgan, Citizen of New Salem; Jack H. Lang, The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, As Reflected in His Briefer Letters and Speeches; Ralph Geoffrey Newman, Abraham Lincoln, An Autobiography Narrative; Ralph Geoffrey Newman, Abraham Lincoln, His Story in His Own Wards; Stephen B. Oates, Abraham Lincoln: The Man Behind the Myths; Carl Sandburg, Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years; Benjamin P. Thomas, Lincoln's New Salem; Louis A. Warren, Lincoln's Youth.]

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