LINCOLN S
LAS'T SPEECH
SPRINGFIELD
IN THE CAMPAIGN

   
 

 

 

 

 

 

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iLINCOLN’S
LAST SPEECH IN
SPRINGFIELD
IN THE CAMPAIGN

OF 1858

THE
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS

OSCOPYRIGHT, 1925, BY OLIVER R. BARRETT

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INTRODUCTION

N the election of 1858 Lincoln met defeat, but the ordeal that
singed the politician, disclosed the statesman. An impartial
observer, Lord Charnwood, declares that “the contest between

Lincoln and Douglas was one of the decisive events in American
history.” }

The closing debate of that contest was held in Alton on October
15. 1858. The election was set for November 2.

On October 30 William H. Herndon wrote from Springfield to
Theodore Parker in Boston:

“Friend:

Today is Saturday, and in a little while Mr. Lincoln
opens on our square, close to the State House, on the great

vital and dominant issues of the day and age.”

It is of interest that the speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln
on that day should be now first published, after the lapse of more than
sixty-five years.

But, of deeper interest is the recognition that this long forgotten
speech marks a turning point in Lincoln’s career, that in its brief
paragraphs the last echo of Lincoln the politician is lost in the reso-
nance of the clearer note of Lincoln the statesman.

The gradual development is reflected in his collected works;
the particular events which influenced the evolution can be briefly

summarized. At the time of its delivery Lincoln was within a few

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oO OTRAL a! | ee FRE RY TONE LST Daagmonths of his fiftieth birthday. From the day of his first debate
with Douglas in the court house in Springfield on November 19,
1839, Lincoln and Douglas had opposed each other, in a keen and
often bitter rivalry. In 1856 Lincoln summed up the results of his
political endeavors:

“Twenty-two years ago, Judge Douglas and I first became

 

acquainted. We were both young then he a trifle young-

er than I. Even then we were both ambitious,—I, perhaps,

quite as much so as he. With me, the race of ambition

has been a failure—a flat failure; with him, it has been

one of splendid success.”
Two years later Lincoln accepted the nomination of his party for
Senator, with the declaration which startled his friends more than
it disturbed his enemies:

“A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe

this Government cannot endure permanently, half slave

and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved

—I do not expect the house to fall—but I do expect it will

cease to be divided.”

Douglas opposed him and with issues so vital, it seemed then, that this
contest must settle the question of supremacy between them, by the
elimination of one or the other from the field of politics. With
ambition rekindled, Lincoln challenged Douglas to meet him in joint
debate. Of their meeting Isaac N. Arnold says, ‘““The whole Ameri-
can people paused to watch the progress of the debates, and hung
with intense interest on the words and movements of the champions.”
Lincoln in that campaign made more than one hundred speeches
and visited every part of the state, traveling in slow conveyances

and living in crowded taverns. “After a hundred consecutive days

4of excitement, of intense mental strain, of unremitting bodily exer-
tion, after speech-making and parades, music and bonfires,’”* he turned
homeward for the “rally” at Springfield. But before his speech had
been written he had learned that some of his former friends and
associates were making a determined effort to defeat him. We can-
not at this date complete the record of defections which were then
known to him and referred to in his speech:
“Myself, and those with whom I act have been constantly
accused of a purpose to destroy the Union; and bespattered
with every imaginable odious epithet; and some who were
friends as it were, but yesterday, have made themselves
most active in this.”
But more disheartening to Lincoln than the “odious epithets” was the
action of his old friend T. Lyle Dickey who secured a letter in praise
of Douglas from Senator John J. Crittenden of Kentucky and caused
it to be widely circulated in doubtful districts on the eve of the election.
To Crittenden on November 4th, Lincoln wrote:
‘The emotions of defeat at the close of a struggle in which
I felt more than a merely selfish interest, and to which
defeat the use of your name contributed largely, are fresh
upon me.”
In the Chicago Daily Democrat of November 9, 1858, it was said:
“Senator Crittenden is entitled to the credit of defeating Mr. Lincoln.”
In a speech at Cincinnati in 1859 Lincoln said of Crittenden:
“A Senator from Kentucky whom I have always loved with
an affection as tender and endearing as I have ever loved any
man * * * was writing letters to Illinois to secure the re-
election of Douglas.”

‘Abraham Lincoln, by Nicolay and Hay.

[2]

—

7 pie eT oT : TET TL eT TOT
a PA SAEED TLDS IIL SEELEY IGE PEAS as | nO iii BD eS ¥is expressed in his letter of

That Lincoln anticipated his defeat
November 19 to A. G. Henry:

“You doubtless have seen ere this the result of the election
Of course I wished, but I did not much expect, a
and though I now sink out of view

here.

better result.

and shall be forgotten, I believe I have made some marks

which will tell for the cause of civil liberty long after | am

gone.”
Thus it was that Lincoln, worn by the exertions of his campaign,
came to face his defeat, powerless to avert what seemed a certain
and crushing end to his ambition. But a closing rally had been
widely heralded—he must again speak before a gathering of vocif-
erous Republicans, in whose enthusiasm, the intuition of defeat
found no lodgment. And so he came to write this speech, and it
was penned in the shadow of defeat, a defeat encompassed by those
whom he had loved and trusted, a defeat that extinguished the last
spark of ambition for political preferment, but left him firm in the
determination to carry on the contest against slavery. On November
19 Lincoln wrote again, this time to Henry Asbury:

“The fight must go on. The cause of civil liberty must

not be surrendered at the end of one or even one hundred

defeats.”

The fight did go on and the “marks” that Lincoln made became
a record of human freedom.

We cannot know if Lincoln foresaw the strain that was to come
upon the Union from the cause he championed, but when it came he
was ready to bear the burden. For him, was “the planting and the
culture,” for humanity, “the harvest.”

OLIveER R. BARRETT

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FACSIMILE OF LINCOLN’S SPEECHee

 

 

 

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ABRAHAM LINCOLN

“T reverence the individual who
understands distinctly what it
is he wishes; who unweariedly
advances; who knows _ the
means conducive to his object,

and can seize and use them.”

——— Gi OHA HEE,

Y friends, today closes the discussions of this canvass. The
planting and the culture are over; and there remains but the
preparation, and the harvest.

I stand here surrounded by friends—some political, all personal
friends I trust. May I be indulged, in this closing scene, to say a few
words of myself. I have borne a laborious, and, in some respects to
myself, a painful part in the contest. Through all, I have neither
assailed, nor wrestled with any part of the constitution. The legal
right of the Southern people to reclaim their fugitives I have constantly
admitted. The legal right of Congress to interfere with their institu-
tion in the states, I have constantly denied. In resisting the spread of
slavery to new territory, and with that, what appears to me to be a tend-
ency to subvert the first principle of free government itself my whole
effort has consisted. To the best of my judgment I have labored for.
and not against the Union. As I have not felt, so I have not expressed

any harsh sentiment towards our Southern brethren. I have constant-

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ly declared, as I really believed, the only difference between them and
us, is the difference of circumstances.

I have meant to assail the motives of no party, or individual;
and if I have, in any instance (of which I am not conscious ) departed
from my purpose, I regret it.

I have said that in some respects the contest has been painful to
me. Myself, and those with whom I act have been constantly accused
of a purpose to destroy the Union; and bespattered with every imag-
inable odious epithet; and some who were friends, as it were but yester-
day have made themselves most active in this. I have cultivated
patience, and made no attempt at a retort.

Ambition has been ascribed to me. God knows how sincerely I
prayed from the first that this field of ambition might not be opened.
I claim no insensibility to political honors; but today could the Mis-
souri restriction be restored, and the whole slavery question replaced
on the old ground of “toleration” by necessity where it exists, with un-
yielding hostility to the spread of it, on principle, I would, in consider-
ation, gladly agree, that Judge Douglas should never be out, and I

never in, an office, so long as we be both or either, live.i SILVER-WARE}

58

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From THE SPRINGFIELD JOURNAL of November 1, 1858

   
  
 

 

 

 

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MR. LINCOLN AT
HOME
OLD SANGAMON ERECT!!

10,000 Freemen in Council!

GREATEST DEMONSTRATION
OF THE CAMPAIGN!

Unprecedented Enthusiasm! !

 

ATURDAY last was a great

day for the Whigs, Ameri-

cans and Republicans of “old
Sangamon.” Their gallant leader
had just returned from his trium-
phant passage through the State, and
they assembled to the number of at
least 10,000 strong to bid him wel-
come, and to assure him of their
hearty participation in the further
triumph to which he is about to lead
them ere the setting of to-morrow’s
sun.

The weather, during the entire
week, had been most unpropitious,
the rain having fallen almost inces-
santly from Monday morning until
Friday night, and the roads were al-
most impassable, being in a worse

condition than at any former period

 

 

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This fact
highly encouraged our enemies, and

since the Spring rains.

caused great apprehension on the
part of our friends, lest there should
be buta small turn out. But the men
of Sangamon are made of sterner

Their

hearts are deeply enlisted in the

stuff than to be thus daunted.

good cause they have espoused, and
no circumstance, however difficult
to overcome, would be permitted to
dampen their ardor.

About 10 o’clock the city began
to fill up with persons from the vicin-
ity, and soon after the delegations
from the various precincts, having
their wagons gaily decked with ban-
ners and streamers, began pouring
in, and successively marched around
the State House square, until by 12
o'clock the city was full to overflow-
ing. By this time the hopes of our
enemies, who were confidently antic-
ipating a “fizzle,” had entirely fled,
and many of them appeared equally
interested with our friends in wit-
nessing the beautiful display, and
reading the amusing and pungent
mottoes which abounded on all sides.

About this time the train from
Jacksonville and intermediate points,
with nine cars full, arrived, and were
escorted to the square, and soon af-
ter a dispatch was received from

the delegation coming from McLeanst

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and Logan counties, stating they had
thirty-two cars full on the way. This
was the signal for a rush to the depot
of the Chicago and Alton road, as
every one was anxious to witness so
grand a spectacle. The crowd around
the depot was immense, filling every
available spot, climbing upon the
tops of the freight cars, upon the
fences, and even in the tree tops.
Soon the train came booming along.
and sure enough it contained thirty-
two cars, filled inside and covered
on top, with a precious load of Lin-
colnites, who had come from the
neighboring counties on the north to
unite their shouts with their brethren
of Sangamon.

How shall we convey to our read-
ers an adequate conception of the
majestic grandeur of the spectacle
afforded by the entrance of this stu-
pendous train, with its 4,000 passen-
gers, drawn by two locomotives and
gaily decorated with flags and ban-
ners? It was undoubtedly the longest
passenger train and the rarest exhi-
bition ever seen in the entire coun-
try. The cars were completely filled,
both inside and out, and on their en-
trance into the city, the multitude on
the tops of the cars rose to their feet,
spread out their banners and came
shouting for Lincoln and Liberty!
The first car was labelled with the
words, “A. LINCOLN, THE PRIDE OF

ILLiNoIs,” and among the banners

 

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borne by this delegation was one
containing the busts of Lincoln and
Clay, painted the size of life, and
representing them as warm friends
and true Republicans. Another con-
tained the bust of Mr. Lincoln, with
the words, “Abe Lincoln, our next
Senator.” The deafening cheers and
joyful congratulations which  suc-
ceeded the arrival of this train, we
will leave to the imaginations of our
readers to portray. This delegation
was likewise escorted to the square,
where it was united to the general
procession.

It would have required a corps of
twenty reporters to take notes of all
the good things said and shown dur-
ing the day, and we shall not attempt
to give a minute account. The dis-
play was such as baffles description;
and our readers must pictureto them-
selves an immense host, with banners
waving and flags flying, marching
and countermarching through the
principal streets—the stores and
public buildings being gaily deco-
rated the while—with thousands up-
on thousands of spectators crowding
the windows and balconies and ex-
hibiting their sympathy and fellow-
ship by the shouting of men and the
waving of handkerchiefs and flags
in the hands of beautiful women—
the whole interspersed with the sweet
strains of music, the booming of the

deep-toned cannon and the explosionSOE Eh eR eM EIR fer ee Cee Saat) Re ee era

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of vast quantities of firecrackers. It

was indeed a spectacle well calcu-
lated to stir the souls of the united
opposition with grateful emotion,
and to carry dismay and consterna-
tion to the hearts of our enemies.
The speakers’ stand was erected
near the iron railing east side of the
State House square, and the multi-
tude filled every available spot in
the vicinity. The steps of the Court
House and the Marine Bank, to-
gether with the yards adjoining,
filled

whom were a great many ladies, and

were with persons, among
the streets and sidewalks opposite
were covered with a dense mass of
listeners. We should have stated in
the proper place, that while the
crowd at the depot were waiting the
arrival of the mammoth train from
the north, a large crowd was being
addressed from this stand by Judge
Cowan of Petersburg.

At two o'clock, the vast multitude
being congregated around the stand,
Mr. Lincoln began his speech. We
have neither time nor room to give
even a sketch of his remarks to-day.

Suffice it to say, the speech was one

 

of his very best efforts, distinguished

 

 

for its clearness and force, and
for the satisfactory manner in which
he exposed the roorbacks and mis-
representations of the enemy. The
conclusion of this speech was one of
the most eloquent appeals ever ad-
dressed to the American people. It
was received with spontaneous bursts
of enthusiasm unequalled by any
thing ever before enacted in this city.

Mr. L. was followed by Hon.
Richard Yates, of Morgan, who held
the vast multitude enchained by his
eloquence until near six oclock,
when the crowd dispersed to obtain
some refreshments and prepare for
the evening.

A very large meeting assembled
in the Rotunda of the State House
after supper, and were successively
addressed by Judge Cowan, Mr. Lit-
tlefield, of Jersey, Messrs. Cook,
Matheny, Wilkinson, Hawker, King,
Jayne, C. C. Brown and Fitzhugh,
and adjourned with nine rousing
cheers for Lincoln and the cause.

Altogether it was a magnificent
demonstration and has prepared our
friends for victory and our oppo-

nents for defeat.

For the reproduction of the foregoing account of the rally, and

for discovering Mr. Morgan, credit is gratefully accorded to Mrs.

Jessie Palmer Weber of the Illinois Historical Society.

 

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STIELD 1858

SPRINGI

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SA LETTER
FROM JOHN H. MORGAN

N Saturday, October 30, 1858, Lincoln spoke in Springfield.

I was present and remember parts but not all of his speech. 1

remember him saying he would gladly agree to be for Douglas

if thereby his desires on the slave question would be fulfilled. I also

remember him speaking of the abuse and slander heaped upon him.

His speech was solemn and earnest throughout and the hearers received

it with close attention. I have often wondered why the citizens of

Springfield did not place a tablet on the spot where he stood while
speaking.

Parts of his speech I remember as distinctly as if it were yesterday,
but the balance I cannot remember—only the general import. It is so
jumbled up in my memory that I cannot get it all connected.

The speaker’s stand was erected against the state house fence.
Lincoln stood six or eight feet south of the corner. On the stand with
him were John M. Palmer and S. M. Cullom. There were five or six
hundred men standing on the east side and the crowd overflowed around
the corner, to the north side. There was a well-dressed, self-important
looking man on a fine horse who pushed his way in, up close to Lincoln
and when Lincoln said he was not in favor with interfering with slavery
where it then existed, this man said in a loud voice so all could hear

“How would you like to sleep with a nigger?” Lincoln stopped and

eaewithout replying looked the man in the eyes with a sad, pitiful look as
if he felt sorry for him. The man hung his head, turning to get away,
but the crowd held him, spitting all over him. Some took wet tobacco
out of their mouths and threw it in his face; he was a filthy sight.
Lincoln continued his talk as if he had not been interrupted.

At that time Senator Tom Corwin of Ohio was considered the
greatest orator in the country, and before Lincoln spoke, word was
passed around that Tom Corwin was speaking. I and many others went
down to see the famous Tom Corwin. When I got there I knew the man,
a pettifogging shyster from Petersburg, Tom Cowan. I so announced it
but several men turned on me and declared it was Tom Corwin. The
old scalawag was very witty and kept them highly amused. I said no
more and they thought they were listening to a great man.

When Lincoln came to New Salem he and father formed a warm
friendship that lasted their lifetime. When a little boy I often met Lin-
coln with father. He always greeted me with a hand shake and how are
you Bub. About six or seven years before Lincoln was nominated, my
father and Mr. Perkins, our next neighbor (a radical democrat), were
on the jury and listened to Lincoln’s plea on a most important case.
That evening Perkins came over to talk it over with father. He declared
it was the most powerful speech he ever heard come from the mouth
of man. He said, “I told you, Henry, Lincoln has the right name,
Honest Abe.” “Yes,” said father, “‘and I hope to live to vote for him for
president.” So I claim he was the first man to name Lincoln for presi-
dent. He did vote for him twice. I only got to vote for him once as I
spent over four years in the Army. Hoping this may be some use to
you, Yours,

Joun H. Morean,
Feb. 1, 1922. Petersburg, Illinois.Ph doh sii sda ack

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