Marcus Ahlenfeld Goldsmith

“ During the eventful years that followed—years when the very life of the nation was threatened, when defeat was followed by defeat and the North was in a state of varying mutiny and in fear of invasion, through all these stern times Lincoln was calm and self-possessed.
1862
"All persons held as slaves are free." ”

“ Nine years later, on June 16, 1858, Lincoln was nominated as the Republican candidate for Senator of Illinois. Opposing him as candidate for the Democratic party was Stephen A. Douglas.
BIRTHPLACE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
His Family
On November 4, 1842, Abraham Lincoln was married to Miss Mary Todd. She was a charming young woman of twenty-five — a Kentuckian by birth, animated, well read, an exceptionally clever conversationalist.
The match was an excellent one. Lincoln made a loyal and indulgent husband. Mrs. Lincoln was an excellent housewife — a true helpmate to a great man. ”

“ Only one, Robert Todd Lincoln, grew to manhood. He was Secretary of War during the Garfield and Arthur administrations, and from 1889 to 1893 was Minister to England.
1860
A man of superhuman trait
To guide the tottering Ship of State
The nation well chose Lincoln.
President
Lincoln challenged Douglas to a joint debate and seven meetings were decided upon. Although the campaign was a losing one for Lincoln, the favorable sentiment created by his anti-slavery argument helped elect him to Presidency.
On May 16, 1860, he was nominated as the Republican candidate for Presidency. ”

“ A rising lawyer with a guiding star
Of noble deeds to do.
Soldier, Postmaster, Legislator
In 1831 the Black Hawk War broke out. The following year Lincoln enlisted in a company recruited at Sangamon, Illinois, and was elected Captain. He obtained excellent military training although his company did not see much of the war.
At the close of the war, Lincoln was appointed postmaster at New Salem. His next vocation was that of surveyor. In 1833 Lincoln made his first political speech and in 1834 was elected to the Legislature. Here he met Stephen A. Douglas of whom we shall hear later. ”

“ Bade fair to sap the very life
Of our great nation.
War
War! The nation was to know the horrors of armed conflict.
The tramp of armed thousands was heard over the land. Rioting and treachery were rife. The Sixth Massachusetts regiment was mobbed while passing through Baltimore and a large number killed. Troops rushed to Washington. ”

“ Re-elected to office, he served continuously for eight years. In 1837 he made his famous "Lightning Rod" speech. The same year Lincoln left New Salem and was entered at the bar, "a full fledged lawyer," at Springfield, Illinois. ”