Lincoln Family Record,
Written by Abraham Lincoln in his Father's Bible.
From original in possession of C. F. Gunther, Esq., Chicago.
CHAPTER XXIV.
"OUR LINCOLN IS THE MAN."
Fifteen years have passed since the events described in the last chapter. It is the year 1860. A great political crisis is upon the country, and Abraham Lincoln has been selected to lead one great party of the people, because he had faith in the principle that right is might. The time came, as the Tunker had prophesied, when the people wanted a man of integrity for their leader—a man who had a heart that could be trusted. They elected him to the Legislature when he was almost a boy and had not decent clothes to wear. The young legislator walked over the prairies of Illinois to the Capitol to save the traveling fare. As a legislator he had faith that right is might, and was true to his convictions.
"He has a heart that we can trust," said the people, and they sent him to Congress. He was true in Washington, as in Illinois.
"He has a heart we can trust," said the people; "let us send him to the Senate."
He failed of an election, but it was because his convictions of right were in advance of the public mind at the time; but he who is defeated for a principle, triumphs. The greatest victors are those who are vanquished in the cause of truth, justice, and right; for the cause lives, and they live in the cause that must prevail.
Again the people wanted a leader—all the people who represented a great cause—and Illinois said to the people: