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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 399Mr. Lincoln's opponent on the Democratic ticket was no less a person thanold Peter Cartwright, the famous Methodist preacher and circuit rider.Cartwright had preached to almost every congregation in the district andhad a strong following in all the churches. Mr. Lincoln did notunderestimate the strength of his great rival. He abandoned his law businessentirely and gave his whole attention to the canvass. This time Mr. Lincolnwas victorious and was elected by a large majority.When Lincoln took his seat in Congress, in 1847, he was the only Whigmember from Illinois. His great political rival, Douglas, was in the Senate.The Mexican War had already broken out, which, in common with hisparty, he had opposed. Later in life he was charged with having opposedthe voting of supplies to the American troops in Mexico, but this was afalsehood which he easily disproved. He was strongly opposed to the War,but after it was once begun he urged its vigorous prosecution and votedwith the Democrats on all measures concerning the care and pay of thesoldiers. His opposition to the War, however, cost him a re-election; it costhis party the congressional district, which was carried by the Democrats in1848. Lincoln's former law partner, Judge Logan, secured the Whignomination that year and was defeated.MAKES SPEECHES FOR "OLD ZACH."In the national convention at Philadelphia, in 1848, Mr. Lincoln was adelegate and advocated the nomination of General Taylor.After the nomination of General Taylor, or "Old Zach," or "rough andReady," as he was called, Mr. Lincoln made a tour of New York andseveral New England States, making speeches for his candidate.Mr. Lincoln went to New England in this campaign on account of the greatdefection in the Whig party. General Taylor's nomination wasunsatisfactory to the free-soil element, and such leaders as Henry Wilson,Charles Francis Adams, Charles Allen, Charles Sumner, Stephen C.Phillips, Richard H. Dana, Jr., and Anson Burlingame, were in open revolt.Mr. Lincoln's speeches were confined largely to a defense of General