Chapter X

LINCOLN’S FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE VOTERS OF SANGAMON COUNTY.—HIS VIEWS
ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE SANGAMON.—THE MODESTY OF HIS CIRCULAR.

The only preliminary expected of a candidate for the legislature of Illinois at that date was an announcement stating his “sentiments with regard to local affairs.” The circular in which Lincoln complied with this custom was a document of about two thousand words, in which he plunged at once into the subject he believed most interesting to his constituents—“the public utility of internal improvements.”

LINCOLN’S FIRST VOTE.—PHOTOGRAPHED FROM THE ORIGINAL POLL-BOOK. AND
NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.

_Note_: LINCOLN’S FIRST VOTE.—The original poll-book from which the
vote as shown on page 126 is reproduced, is now on file in the
County Clerk’s office, Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln’s first vote
was cast at New Salem, “in the Clary’s Grove precinct,” August 1,
1831. At this election he aided Mr. Graham, who was one of the
clerks. In the early days in Illinois, elections were conducted by
the _viva voce_ method. The people did try voting by ballot, but the
experiment was unpopular. It required too much “book larnin,” and in
1829 the _viva voce_ method of voting was restored. The judges and
clerks sat at a table with the poll-book before them. The voter
walked up, and announced the candidate of his choice, and it was
recorded in his presence. There was no ticket peddling, and
ballot-box stuffing was impossible. To this simple system we are
indebted for the record of Lincoln’s first vote. As will be seen
from the facsimile, Lincoln voted for James Turney for Congressman,
Bowling Green and Edmund Greer for Magistrates, and John Armstrong
and Henry Sinco for Constables. Of these five men three were
elected. Turney was defeated for Congressman by Joseph Duncan.
Turney lived in Greene County. He was not then a conspicuous figure
in the politics of the State, but was a follower of Henry Clay, and
was well thought of in his own district. He and Lincoln, in 1834,
served their first terms together in the lower house of the
legislature, and later he was a State senator. Joseph Duncan, the
successful candidate, was already in Congress. He was a politician
of influence. In 1834 he was a strong Jackson man; but after his
election as Governor he created consternation among the followers of
“Old Hickory” by becoming a Whig. Sidney Breese, who received only
two votes in the Clary’s Grove precinct, afterward became the most
conspicuous of the five candidates. Eleven years later he defeated
Stephen A. Douglas for the United States Senate, and for twenty-five
years he was on the bench of the Supreme Court of Illinois, serving
under each of the three constitutions. For the office of Magistrate,
Bowling Green was elected, but Greer was beaten. Both of Lincoln’s
candidates for Constable were elected. John Armstrong was the man
with whom, a short time afterward, Lincoln had the celebrated
wrestling match. Henry Sinco was the keeper of a store at New Salem.
Lincoln’s first vote for President was not cast until the next year
(November 5, 1832), when he voted for Henry Clay.
]

At that time the State of Illinois—as, indeed, the whole United States—was convinced that the future of the country depended on the opening of canals and railroads, and the clearing out of the rivers. In the Sangamon country the population felt that a quick way of getting to Beardstown on the Illinois River, to which point the steamer came from the Mississippi, was, as Lincoln puts it in his circular, using a phrase of his hero Clay, “indispensably necessary.” Of course a railroad was the dream of the settlers; but when it was considered seriously there was always, as Lincoln says, “a heart-appalling shock accompanying the amount of its cost, which forces us to shrink from our pleasing anticipations.”

“The probable cost of this contemplated railroad is estimated at two
hundred and ninety thousand dollars; the bare statement of which, in
my opinion, is sufficient to justify the belief that the improvement
of the Sangamon River is an object much better suited to our infant
resources.

“Respecting this view, I think I may say, without the fear of being
contradicted, that its navigation may be rendered completely
practicable as high as the mouth of the South Fork, or probably
higher, to vessels of from twenty-five to thirty tons burden, for at
least one-half of all common years, and to vessels of much greater
burden a part of the time. From my peculiar circumstances, it is
probable that for the last twelve months I have given as particular
attention to the stage of the water in this river as any other
person in the country. In the month of March, 1831, in company with
others, I commenced the building of a flatboat on the Sangamon, and
finished and took her out in the course of the spring. Since that
time I have been concerned in the mill at New Salem. These
circumstances are sufficient evidence that I have not been very
inattentive to the stages of the water. The time at which we crossed
the mill-dam being in the last days of April, the water was lower
than it had been since the breaking of winter, in February, or than
it was for several weeks after. The principal difficulties we
encountered in descending the river were from the drifted timber,
which obstructions all know are not difficult to be removed. Knowing
almost precisely the height of water at that time, I believe I am
safe in saying that it has as often been higher as lower since.

“From this view of the subject, it appears that my calculations with
regard to the navigation of the Sangamon cannot but be founded in
reason; but, whatever may be its natural advantages, certain it is
that it never can be practically useful to any great extent without
being greatly improved by art. The drifted timber, as I have before
mentioned, is the most formidable barrier to this object. Of all
parts of this river, none will require as much labor in proportion
to make it navigable as the last thirty or thirty-five miles; and
going with the meanderings of the channel, when we are this distance
above its mouth, we are only between twelve and eighteen miles from
Beardstown in something near a straight direction, and this route is
upon such low ground as to retain water in many places during the
season, and in all parts such as to draw two-thirds or three-fourths
of the river water at all high stages.

“This route is on prairie-land the whole distance, so that it
appears to me, by removing the turf a sufficient width, and damming
up the old channel, the whole river in a short time would wash its
way through, thereby curtailing the distance and increasing the
velocity of the current very considerably, while there would be no
timber on the banks to obstruct its navigation in future; and being
nearly straight, the timber which might float in at the head would
be apt to go clear through. There are also many places above this
where the river, in its zigzag course, forms such complete
peninsulas as to be easier to cut at the necks than to remove the
obstructions from the bends, which, if done, would also lessen the
distance.

“What the cost of this work would be, I am unable to say. It is
probable, however, that it would not be greater than is common to
streams of the same length. Finally, I believe the improvement of
the Sangamon River to be vastly important and highly desirable to
the people of the country; and, if elected, any measure in the
legislature having this for its object, which may appear judicious,
will meet my approbation and receive my support.”

Lincoln could not have advocated a measure more popular. At that moment the whole population of Sangamon was in a state of wild expectation. Some six weeks before Lincoln’s circular appeared, a citizen of Springfield had advertised that as soon as the ice went off the river he would bring up a steamer, the “Talisman,” from Cincinnati, and prove the Sangamon navigable. The announcement had aroused the entire country, speeches were made, and subscriptions taken. The merchants announced goods direct per steamship “Talisman” the country over, and every village from Beardstown to Springfield was laid off in town lots. When the circular appeared the excitement was at its height.

Lincoln’s comments in his circular on two other subjects on which all candidates of the day expressed themselves, are amusing in their simplicity. The practice of loaning money at exorbitant rates was then a great evil in the West. Lincoln proposed that the limits of usury be fixed, and he closed his paragraph on the subject with these words, which sound strange enough from a man who in later life showed so profound a reverence for law:

“In cases of extreme necessity, there could always be means found to
cheat the law; while in all other cases it would have its intended
effect. I would favor the passage of a law on this subject which
might not be very easily evaded. Let it be such that the labor and
difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of
greatest necessity.”

A general revision of the laws of the State was the second topic which he felt required a word. “Considering the great probability,” he said, “that the framers of those laws were wiser than myself, I should prefer not meddling with them, unless they were attacked by others; in which, case I should feel it both a privilege and a duty to take that stand which, in my view, might tend most to the advancement of justice.”

Of course he said a word for education:

“Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or
system respecting it, can only say that I view it as the most
important subject which we as a people can be engaged in. That every
man may receive at least a moderate education, and thereby be
enabled to read the histories of his own and other countries, by
which he may duly appreciate the value of our free institutions,
appears to be an object of vital importance, even on this account
alone; to say nothing of the advantages and satisfaction to be
derived from all being able to read the Scriptures and other works,
both of a religious and moral nature, for themselves.

“For my part, I desire to see the time when education—and by its
means morality, sobriety, enterprise, and industry—shall become much
more general than at present, and should be gratified to have it in
my power to contribute something to the advancement of any measure
which might have a tendency to accelerate that happy period.”

The audacity of a young man in his position presenting himself as a candidate for the legislature is fully equalled by the humility of the closing paragraphs of his announcement:

“But, fellow-citizens, I shall conclude. Considering the great
degree of modesty which should always attend youth, it is probable I
have already been more presuming than becomes me. However, upon the
subjects of which I have treated, I have spoken as I have thought. I
may be wrong in regard to any or all of them; but, holding it a
sound maxim that it is better only sometimes to be right than at all
times to be wrong, so soon as I discover my opinions to be
erroneous, I shall be ready to renounce them.

LINCOLN IN 1860.

From an ambrotype in the possession of Mr. Marcus L. Ward of Newark,
New Jersey. This portrait of Mr. Lincoln was made in Springfield,
Illinois, on May 20, 1860, for the late Hon. Marcus L. Ward,
Governor of New Jersey. Mr. Ward had gone to Springfield to see
Mr. Lincoln, and while there asked him for his picture. The
President-elect replied that he had no picture which was
satisfactory, but would gladly sit for one. The two gentlemen went
out immediately, and in Mr. Ward’s presence Mr. Lincoln had the
above picture taken.
]

ABOVE THE DAM AT NEW SALEM.

Reproduced, by permission, from “Menard-Salem-Lincoln Souvenir
Album,” Petersburg, Illinois, 1893.
]

“Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true
or not, I can say, for one, that I have no other so great as that of
being truly esteemed of my fellow-men by rendering myself worthy of
their esteem. How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition is
yet to be developed. I am young, and unknown to many of you. I was
born, and have ever remained, in the most humble walks of life. I
have no wealthy or popular relations or friends to recommend me. My
case is thrown exclusively upon the independent voters of the
county; and, if elected, they will have conferred a favor upon me
for which I shall be unremitting in my labors to compensate. But, if
the good people in their wisdom shall see fit to keep me in the
background, I have been too familiar with disappointments to be very
much chagrined.”

THE KIRKHAM’S GRAMMAR USED BY LINCOLN AT NEW SALEM.—NOW FIRST
PUBLISHED.

From a photograph made especially for this work. The copy of Kirkham’s
Grammar studied by Lincoln belonged to a man named Vaner. Some of
the biographers say Lincoln borrowed it; but it appears that he
became the owner of the book, either by purchase or through the
generosity of Vaner, for it was never returned to the latter. It is
said that Lincoln learned this grammar practically by heart.
“Sometimes,” says Herndon, “he would stretch out at full length on
the counter, his head propped up on a stack of calico prints,
studying it; or he would steal away to the shade of some inviting
tree, and there spend hours at a time in a determined effort to fix
in his mind the arbitrary rule that ‘adverbs qualify verbs,
adjectives, and other adverbs.’” He presented the hook to Ann
Rutledge, and it has since been one of the treasures of the Rutledge
family. After the death of Ann it was studied by her brother Robert,
and is now owned by his widow, who resides at Casselton, North
Dakota. The title page of the book appears above. The words, “Ann M.
Rutledge is now learning grammar,” were written by Lincoln. The
order on James Rutledge to pay David P. Nelson thirty dollars, and
signed “A. Lincoln for D. Offutt,” which is shown above, was pasted
upon the front cover of the book by Robert Rutledge.
]

Very soon after Lincoln had distributed his handbills, enthusiasm on the subject of the opening of the Sangamon rose to a fever. The “Talisman” actually came up the river; scores of men went to Beardstown to meet her, among them Lincoln, of course; and to him was given the honor of piloting her—an honor which made him remembered by many a man who saw him that day for the first time. The trip was made with all the wild demonstrations which always attended the first steamboat. On either bank a long procession of men and boys on foot or horse accompanied the boat. Cannons and volleys of musketry were fired as settlements were passed. At every stop speeches were made, congratulations offered, toasts drunk, flowers presented. It was one long hurrah from Beardstown to Springfield, and foremost in the jubilation was Lincoln the pilot. The “Talisman” went to the point on the river nearest to Springfield, and there tied up for a week. When she went back, Lincoln again had a conspicuous position as pilot. The notoriety this gave him was probably quite as valuable politically as the forty dollars he received for his service was financially.

While the country had been dreaming of wealth through the opening of the Sangamon, and Lincoln had been doing his best to prove that the dream was possible, the store in which he clerked was “petering out”—to use his own expression. The owner, Denton Offutt, had proved more ambitious than wise, and Lincoln saw that an early closing by the sheriff was probable. But before the store was fairly closed, and while the trip of the “Talisman” was yet exciting the country, an event occurred which interrupted all of Lincoln’s plans.

A NEW SALEM CENTRE TABLE.

This table is now owned by W. C. Green of Talula, Illinois. Originally
it was part of the furniture of the cabin of Bowling Green, near New
Salem.
]

A CLARY’S GROVE LOG CABIN.—NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.

From a water-color by Miss Etta Ackermann, Springfield, Illinois.
“Clary’s Grove” was the name of a settlement five miles southwest of
New Salem, deriving its name from a grove on the land of the Clarys.
It was the headquarters of a daring and reckless set of young men
living in the neighborhood and known as the “Clary’s Grove Boys.”
This cabin was the residence of George Davis, one of the “Clary’s
Grove Boys,” and grandfather of Miss Ackermann. It was built in
1824, seventy-one years ago, and is the only one left of the cluster
of cabins which constituted the little community.
]