''Abe'' Lincoln's Yarns and Stories - University of Macau Library

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 396"DAN STONE,"A. LINCOLN,"Representatives from the county of Sangamon."BEGINS TO PRACTICE LAW.At the end of this session of the Legislature, Mr. Lincoln decided to removeto Springfield and practice law. He entered the office of John T. Stuart, aformer comrade in the Blackhawk War, and in March, 1837, was licensedto practice.Stephen T. Logan was judge of the Circuit Court, and Stephen A. Douglas,who was destined to become Lincoln's greatest political opponent, wasprosecuting attorney. When Lincoln was not in his law office hisheadquarters were in the store of his friend Joshua F. Speed, in whichgathered all the youthful orators and statesmen of that day, and where manyexciting arguments and discussions were held. Lincoln and Douglas bothtook part in the discussion held in Speed's store. Douglas was theacknowledged leader of the Democratic side and Lincoln was rapidlycoming to the front as a leader among the Whig debaters. One evening inthe midst of a heated argument Douglas, or "the Little Giant," as he wascalled, exclaimed:"This store is no place to talk politics."HIS FIRST JOINT DEBATE.Arrangements were at once made for a joint debate between the leadingDemocrats and Whigs to take place in a local church. The Democrats wererepresented by Douglas, Calhoun, Lamborn and Thomas. The Whigspeakers were Judge Logan, Colonel E. D. Baker, Mr. Browning andLincoln. This discussion was the forerunner of the famous joint-debatebetween Lincoln and Douglas, which took place some years later andattracted the attention of the people throughout the United States. Although