The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, vol 1 | Page 9

effective work in those
"log-rolling" operations by which the young State received "a general
system of internal improvements" in the shape of railroads, canals, and
banks,--a reckless policy, burdening the State with debt, and producing
the usual crop of political demoralization, but a policy characteristic of
the time and the impatiently enterprising spirit of the Western people.
Lincoln, no doubt with the best intentions, but with little knowledge of
the subject, simply followed the popular current. The achievement in
which, perhaps, he gloried most was the removal of the State
government from Vandalia to Springfield; one of those triumphs of
political management which are apt to be the pride of the small
politician's statesmanship. One thing, however, he did in which his true
nature asserted itself, and which gave distinct promise of the future
pursuit of high aims. Against an overwhelming preponderance of
sentiment in the Legislature, followed by only one other member, he
recorded his protest against a proslavery resolution,--that protest
declaring "the institution of slavery to be founded on both injustice and

bad policy." This was not only the irrepressible voice of his conscience;
it was true moral valor, too; for at that time, in many parts of the West,
an abolitionist was regarded as little better than a horse-thief, and even
"Abe Lincoln" would hardly have been forgiven his antislavery
principles, had he not been known as such an "uncommon good
fellow." But here, in obedience to the great conviction of his life, he
manifested his courage to stand alone, that courage which is the first
requisite of leadership in a great cause.
Together with his reputation and influence as a politician grew his law
practice, especially after he had removed from New Salem to
Springfield, and associated himself with a practitioner of good standing.
He had now at last won a fixed position in society. He became a
successful lawyer, less, indeed, by his learning as a jurist than by his
effectiveness as an advocate and by the striking uprightness of his
character; and it may truly be said that his vivid sense of truth and
justice had much to do with his effectiveness as an advocate. He would
refuse to act as the attorney even of personal friends when he saw the
right on the other side. He would abandon cases, even during trial,
when the testimony convinced him that his client was in the wrong. He
would dissuade those who sought his service from pursuing an
obtainable advantage when their claims seemed to him unfair.
Presenting his very first case in the United States Circuit Court, the
only question being one of authority, he declared that, upon careful
examination, he found all the authorities on the other side, and none on
his. Persons accused of crime, when he thought them guilty, he would
not defend at all, or, attempting their defence, he was unable to put
forth his powers. One notable exception is on record, when his personal
sympathies had been strongly aroused. But when he felt himself to be
the protector of innocence, the defender of justice, or the prosecutor of
wrong, he frequently disclosed such unexpected resources of reasoning,
such depth of feeling, and rose to such fervor of appeal as to astonish
and overwhelm his hearers, and make him fairly irresistible. Even an
ordinary law argument, coming from him, seldom failed to produce the
impression that he was profoundly convinced of the soundness of his
position. It is not surprising that the mere appearance of so
conscientious an attorney in any case should have carried, not only to
juries, but even to judges, almost a presumption of right on his side,

and that the people began to call him, sincerely meaning it, "honest Abe
Lincoln."
In the meantime he had private sorrows and trials of a painfully
afflicting nature. He had loved and been loved by a fair and estimable
girl, Ann Rutledge, who died in the flower of her youth and beauty, and
he mourned her loss with such intensity of grief that his friends feared
for his reason. Recovering from his morbid depression, he bestowed
what he thought a new affection upon another lady, who refused him.
And finally, moderately prosperous in his worldly affairs, and having
prospects of political distinction before him, he paid his addresses to
Mary Todd, of Kentucky, and was accepted. But then tormenting
doubts of the genuineness of his own affection for her, of the
compatibility of their characters, and of their future happiness came
upon him. His distress was so great that he felt himself in danger of
suicide, and feared to carry a pocket-knife with him; and he gave
mortal offence to his bride by not appearing on the appointed wedding
day. Now the torturing consciousness of the wrong he had done her
grew