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Home , John Peter Altgeld, John Shimkus, Lyman Trumbull, William Herndon (lawyer)

For the People A Newsletter of the Abraham Association Volume 5, Number 1 Spring 2003 Springfield,

Lincoln Never Said That , Cockfighting, and Animal Rights

By Thomas F. Schwartz liquors—he did not even in those days followed I cannot improve on the smoke or chew tobacco.” In sports description furnished me in February wo frequent questions that I requiring either muscle or skill he took 1865, by Ellis who was present. have encountered in the last no little interest. He indulged in all the “They formed a ring, and the time Ttwenty years have been: 1) Did games of the day, even to a horse race having arrived, Lincoln, with one hand Lincoln endorse cockfighting? and 2) or cockfight. At one eventful chicken on each hip and in a squatting position, Where did Lincoln say, “I am in favor fight, where a fee of twenty-five cents cried ‘Ready.’ Into the ring they toss of animal rights as well as human for the entrance of each fowl was their fowls. Bap’s red rooster along rights. That is the way of a whole assessed, one Bap. McNabb brought with the rest. But no sooner had the human being.” Both pose interesting a little red rooster, whose fighting little beauty discovered what was to challenges in dealing with evidence. qualities had been well advertised for be done than he dropped his tail and Cockfighting is a blood sport that days in advance by his owner. Much ran. The crowd cheered, while Bap. was widespread in ancient Greece, interest was naturally taken in contest. in disappointment picked him up Persia, and Rome. Specially bred As the outcome of these contests was and started away, losing his quarter roosters or gamecocks are placed in generally a quarrel, in which each man, and carrying home his dishonored a pit and fight one another, often to charging foul play, seized his victim, fowl. Once arrived at the latter place the death. Cockfighting was practiced they chose Lincoln umpire, relying not he threw his pet down with a feeling in Great Britain until 1849. It was only on his fairness but his ability to of indignation and chagrin. The a popular sport in frontier America. enforce his decisions. In relating what continued on page 6 Even today, cockfighting remains legal in Louisiana and a number of counties in New Mexico. Throughout the campaigns to end cockfighting, both Save the Date opponents and supporters have enlisted Abraham Lincoln to their cause. April 24 Membership Event in Quincy, Illinois Those who claim Lincoln was a supporter of cock fighting point to a free public lecture, “The and is part of the Abraham Lincoln passage in William Herndon and Jesse Busy Wilderness of Abraham Association’s mission to promote the Weik’s Life of Abraham Lincoln: ALincoln: Lincoln’s Frontier study of Abraham Lincoln and make Illinois,” presented by Dr. James E. accessible new findings on Lincoln and At this time in its brief history Davis, will be held Thursday, April his era to a broad audience. New Salem was what in the parlance 24 at the Quincy (Illinois) Art Center, James E. Davis is the William and of large cities would be called a fast 1515 Jersey Street. Charlotte Gardner Professor of History place; and it was difficult for a young The lecture is the latest of the at Illinois College in Jacksonville. He man of ordinary moral courage to Abraham Lincoln Association’s out- is the leading authority on the history resist the temptations that beset him reach programs, and is cosponsored by of the Illinois frontier and author on every hand. It remains a matter the Historical Society of Quincy, the of several books, including his most of surprise that Lincoln was able to Historical Society of Adams County recent, Frontier Illinois, published by retain his popularity with the hosts of and the Quincy Society of Fine Arts. Indiana University Press. Known as young men of his own age, and still The evening will begin at 5 P.M. with an energetic and innovative teacher, not join them in their drinking bouts hors d’oeuvres and wine, followed by Davis is currently working on a book and carousals. “I am certain,” contends the lecture at 6 P.M. The evening will examining the Civil War through the one of his companions (A.Y. Ellis), conclude with coffee and dessert. The recollections and memories of Illinois “that he never drank any intoxicating event is free and open to the public, veterans. 2 For the People

President’s Column

By Robert S. Eckley Circuit. Both brothers dropped out had felt the point of it. Nevertheless, of college to join the Union forces Scott went on to remember Lincoln’s braham Lincoln’s 1860 elec- in 1861, and each was seriously greatness: “Courage . . . that dares tion ushered in five decades wounded, one at Pea Ridge and both to do right, whatever may be the A of Republican dominance in at Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas. opinion of the world and fears only national politics, most pronounced According to , then to do wrong,” while still puzzling in the Senate (92 percent), almost as marshal of Washington, Lincoln was over Lincoln’s lack of any outstanding much in the presidency (85 percent), so concerned about them when he single characteristic! In mid-September and two-thirds of the time in the House learned of their wounds that he broke 1887 the seven-member Court issued of Representatives. Industrialization into tears and wired General Samuel a unanimous opinion rejecting the followed, accompanied by outbursts Curtis to assist their stepfather. Captain pleadings of Swett and Black and of strife by labor to gain recognition. Black, the younger, later sacrificed a setting the date of November 11 for One of the most riveting events of promising corporate legal career in the executions. this rivalry, which occurred exactly to defend the anarchists, so In the penultimate step of the in the middle of this period, was the unpopular was their cause. At the end judicial process—the Haymarket Square melee in Chicago of the twenty-one-day trial, the verdict Supreme Court—three eminent in 1886. Eight individuals, all Lincoln condemned seven to be hanged and attorneys, one of whom Lincoln knew friends and associates, played key roles one to a fifteen-year prison term. Aside only too well, joined Black and Swett. in the anarchists’ trial, appeals, and the from these tragic figures, if there was Benjamin F. Butler was an errant aftermath more than two decades after a hero in Haymarket, it was Captain political general from Massachusetts, Lincoln’s assassination. Black. often described as a “firebrand,” On May 4, the day following a Black and Leonard Swett, who had mixed wisdom with folly violent uprising at the McCormick Lincoln’s “intimate personal and from New Orleans to Virginia and Reaper Works, which ended with political friend” during the last fifteen North Carolina during the Civil War. police firing into a crowd of workers years of his life (in the words of David He was identified with the Radical killing and wounding several, a protest Davis), must have known one another Republicans. Later he was involved meeting was held near Haymarket reasonably well as founding members in the impeachment Square only eight blocks west of the of the Chicago Bar Association in trial as lead speaker in the Senate. In center of Chicago. As the rally was 1874. They had been opposing counsel the Haymarket case, he cautioned winding down in the evening with in two Chicago Board of Trade cases that there was little expectation for only a fraction of the crowd remaining, before the Illinois Supreme Court. In the Court to intervene in an Illinois the police ordered the meeting to close. the next step in the Haymarket case, matter, although there was reason to Someone threw a bomb into the ranks the appeal to that Court, Black was think otherwise. of the police causing serious injury. In joined by Swett whose audacity and Two of the five justices appointed the accompanying chaos, the police courage would match his own, and by Lincoln remained on the Court fired their weapons randomly, killing whose practice, in contrast to Black’s, when the Haymarket case was some and injuring others, including a included a familiarity with criminal considered. Samuel Miller, a doctor number from their own ranks. In the law. They outlined thirty-three turned attorney, migrated to Iowa end, seven police were killed and sixty procedural errors in their brief for the from Kentucky to avoid . He injured. Court, then headed by Chief Justice and Stephen Field, also appointed Eight anarchists were tried in the John M. Scott, who granted a stay by Lincoln, wrote many dissents in case, several of whom were not present of execution pending hearing of the their long tenures on the Court (not at the scene of the crime. They were appeal. Scott was a friend of Swett and surpassed in number until after John charged as conspirators who convinced Lincoln from Bloomington, who had Marshall Harlan was added to the the unknown bomber to throw the replaced Davis as circuit judge when Court as a replacement for David bomb. A forty-three-year-old Civil Lincoln appointed the latter to the Davis in 1877). Miller was viewed as War hero, Captain William P. Black, United States Supreme Court. Scott a liberal and wrote the decision in the became the chief defense counsel. was also one of William Herndon’s Slaughterhouse cases in 1873, which He and his brother were stepsons of Lincoln informants who in 1866 wrote was hailed as a great win for Negro a political supporter of Lincoln in of Lincoln’s humor: “His mirth to me rights at the time, until its limiting Danville, where they had dinner on always seemed to be put on and did features were used by southern states to occasion with Lincoln when he was not properly belong there,” perhaps create the Jim Crow laws of the 1890s. attending court on the Eighth Judicial because on at least one occasion he continued on page 8 For the People 3

THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION Member News ROBERT S. ECKLEY President he University of Nebraska Press ways crossroads. John Bucci created a MOLLY M. BECKER has published a new edition figure of a beardless Lincoln receiving RICHARD E. HART RICHARD MILLS Tof James Rawley’s Abraham violets from a girl. Vice-Presidents Lincoln and a Nation Worth Fighting Richard Wengenroth painted THOMAS F. SCHWARTZ For. a series of six portraits depicting Secretary Robert Provost announced that Abraham Lincoln at various stages of JUDITH BARRINGER the Lincoln Center in Tirana, Albania, his life. Limited edition prints are avail- Treasurer would be moving into new quarters. able by calling 212.243.7137. DONALD R. TRACY The home of the late dictator Enver Don Pollack opened an exhibit of Immediate Past-President Hoxha will soon house the staff and his paintings, “A Search for Heroes, Board of Directors Dan W. Bannister activities of the Lincoln Center. Lincoln and the Illinois Landscape,” at R-Lou Barker Eugene F. Fairbanks, son of the the Perimeter Gallery, 210 W. Superior Roger D. Bridges late sculptor Avard T. Fairbanks, has in Chicago. Michael Burlingame John Daly compiled a book Abraham Lincoln Allen Guelzo wrote an edito- Brooks Davis Sculpture: Created by Avard T. rial on the Emancipation Proclamation Rodney O. Davis Fairbanks. It can be ordered at http: for the January 1, 2003, issue of the Donald H. Funk Allen C. Guelzo //www.fairbanksartbooks.com. Washington Post. Edith Lee Harris Duke Russell held his 11th annual George Craig, a tireless advocate Kathryn M. Harris Abraham Lincoln Remembrance in for Lincoln and Civil War studies, died Earl W. Henderson, Jr. Fred B. Hoffmann Los Angeles on February 12. Actor on Sunday, February 9, 2003, just Barbara Hughett Hal Holbrook reciting the Gettysburg shy of his eighty-eighth birthday. He Robert W. Johannsen Address highlighted the ceremony. was instrumental in raising funds to Robert J. Lenz Susan Mogerman Logan County “Looking for refurbish General George H. Thomas’s Larry M. Newell Lincoln” produced a video of Lincoln grave marker in Troy, New York. As Georgia Northrup sites in Logan County, Illinois. the first and only chair of the Civil War Phillip S. Paludan James W. Patton III Longtime Association member Ted Round Table of New York’s Benjamin Mark Plummer A. Chuman passed away on December Barondess Lincoln Award Committee, Gerald Prokopowicz 18, 2002, after a brief illness. Craig honored the best Lincoln books James A. Rawley Marvin Sanderman The Association is also saddened over a forty-year period. He frequently Brooks D. Simpson by the death of member Gordon traveled to Springfield to partake in Robert A. Stuart, Jr. Thomas. Lincoln activities. Louise Taper Andy VanMeter The city of Chicago Heights is It is also with great sadness to Margaret VanMeter raising money to erect a sculpture of report the passing of Michael Maione, Daniel R. Weinberg Vibert White Lincoln at the Lincoln and Dixie high- Site Superintendent at Ford’s Theatre. Robert Willard Douglas L. Wilson Kenneth J. Winkle Honorary Directors Governor Rod R. Blagojevich Hay-Nicolay Dissertation Prize Senator Richard Durbin Senator Peter Fitzgerald Awarded to Graham Peck Congressman Ray LaHood Congressman John Shimkus Mayor Karen Hasara The Honorable Rita Garman raham Peck, who teaches Origins of Sectional Politics: Illinois Emeritus Directors at St. Xavier University in from Statehood to Civil War,” exam- John R. Chapin Chicago, received the 2003 ines the evolution of the party system Cullom Davis G John J. Trutter Hay-Nicolay Dissertation Prize at the in Illinois and the eventual compet- Harlington Wood, Jr. fifth annual Lincoln Conference of the ing ideologies of Stephen A. Douglas Distinguished Directors Abraham Lincoln Institute, Inc. (for- and Abraham Lincoln. The Lehrman Mario M. Cuomo merly known as the Lincoln Institute Institute provides the $5,000 prize. The David Herbert Donald of the Mid Atlantic). Peck is a graduate jury consists of representatives from Harry V. Jaffa of Northwestern University and stud- the Abraham Lincoln Association, the Garry Wills ied with James Oakes. The title of his Abraham Lincoln Institute, Inc., and dissertation, “The Social and Cultural the Lehrman Institute. 4 For the People

February 12, 2003

he Abraham Lincoln Associ- ation celebrated the 194th Tanniversary of Lincoln’s birth in grand fashion. The day began with an update from Dr. Daniel Stowell, director, and the talented staff of the Lincoln Legal Papers. Over half of the fifty-five cases comprising four published volumes have been completed with many others nearly complete. Dr. Glenna Schroeder-Lein is finalizing the forms and database for the nationwide search for correspondence to and from Abraham Lincoln for the Papers of Abraham Lincoln project. At the Board of Directors semi-annual meeting, a number of new faces were added to the ranks while old friends stepped down to pursue other interests. Those leaving the board are Lewis Lehrman, Norman Hellmers, and John Trutter. Robert J. Lenz, Marvin Sanderman, and Dr. Vibert White replaced them. Joining Kim Matthew Bauer introduces the symposium panel, (l to r) Kent Gramm, the ranks of Emeritus Director are Silvana Siddali, Brian Dirck, and David Blight. John Trutter and Harlington Wood, Jr. Much of the discussion concerned planning for the future. What role will the Association play in the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum? What are appropriate ways to commemorate Lincoln’s birthday in 2009? The symposium took place in the Hall of Representatives to a near capacity crowd with Kim Bauer presiding. Professors David Blight, Brian Dirck, and Kent Gramm treated the audience to thoughtful papers with comments by Silvana Siddala. Drawing upon the theme, “Lincoln in Memory and Imagination,” each presenter explored aspects of Lincoln and memory. “Lincoln and Humor,” was the banquet address delivered by retired Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr. The talk was an elegant mix of jokes and the deeper meanings of Lincoln’s use of stories and anecdotes. The evening Authors Kent Gramm and Dan Monroe sign copies of their books for the public. ended with a rousing rendition of Julia Ward Howe’s, “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” For the People 5

Banquet Speaker Abraham Lincoln Association Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr., delivering President Robert S. Eckley the punch line to a Lincoln joke.

Maynard Crossland, Director of the Victoria Whitlow, Miss Springfield, leading Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the audience in the providing a brief update on the Abraham “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. 6 For the People

Lincoln Never Said That Abraham Lincoln, Cockfighting, and Animal Rights continued from page 1 Bap with his little Beauty was their in Lincoln is not a judge of the match nor little fellow, out of sight of all rivals, all his splendere. is it clear that he is even present to wit- mounted a wood pile and proudly The time arrives and into the ring ness the match. Lincoln may well have flirting out his feathers, crowed with all they toss their chickens Baps with the heard of the incident second or third his might. Bap. looked on in disgust. rest but no sooner had the little beauty hand but repeated the story for its ‘Yes, you little cuss,’ he exclaimed, discovered what was to be done he illustrative meaning. And it is for this irreverently, ‘you’re great on dress droped his tale and run reason that Ellis recounts the story as parade, but not worth a d——n in an example of Lincoln’s humor, not as a fight.’” It is said—how truthfully I an incident from New Salem. Lincoln do not know—that at some period allegedly used the story when referring during the late war Mr. Lincoln in to Major General George McClellan. conversation with a friend likened Neither Ellis nor Herndon/Weik pro- McClellan to Bap. McNabb’s rooster. vide a source to whom Lincoln suppos- So much for New Salem sports.1 edly related the story in Washington, D.C. The location of the cockfight is Based upon evidence presented in this Sangamo Town, a community located passage, one could claim that Lincoln, between New Salem and Springfield. It by agreeing to serve as judge of the was in Sangamo Town where Lincoln cockfight, shows his support for the assisted in building the flatboat that blood sport. At the very least, Lincoln carried Denton Offutt’s goods to would not appear to have any qualms New Orleans. The grist and sawmill in about the sport. Almost all of the evi- Sangamo Town did a much larger busi- dence in the passage claims to be based ness than the Cameron/Rutledge mill upon the recollections of Abner Y. Ellis in New Salem. If the story is to be used who was an associate of Lincoln’s at to document an event from Lincoln’s New Salem, Illinois. But in comparing early life, it should be Lincoln’s rela- the Herndon/Weik account with Ellis’s tionship with Sangamo Town. letter to William Herndon, a number The Ellis recollection is trans- of disturbing discrepancies appear. formed further by Thomas P. Reep, It is best to reproduce the who, in Lincoln at New Salem (1927), Statue of Abraham Lincoln in appropriate portion of Ellis’s actual uses the Herndon/Weik account and Manchester, England letter to Herndon, dated February 1, adds his own embellishments: 1866, not 1865: Bap being very much disappointed picked him up and went home loosing One of Lincoln’s most striking You ask Me in the one Just recvd to his quarter & dishonored chicken faculties was that of remembering relate Some of the Storys & anecdotes and as soon as he got home he incidents that had attracted his atten- as told by Mr Lincoln whether smutty tossed his pet down in the yard on his tion and using them in illustrating any or chast this is hard to do as there are own dung hill—The little fellow then point he desired to make. It is said that but few if any who can tell them so stood up & flirted out his beautiful well as he Could. However as You feathers & crowed as brave as a Lion. have promised that No one Shall ever Bap Viewed closely & remarked For the People (ISSN 1527–2710) is see them but your self I will endeavor Yes You dam little cuss you are published four times a year and is a do so though Many of them you have Great on a parade but you are not benefit of membership of the heard before worth a Dam in a fight Abraham Lincoln Association First; Bap McNabbs Red Rooster it is said that Mr L remarked 1 Old State Capitol Plaza I early times the Boys in and about old to a friend soon after McClellands Springfield, Illinois Sangamon Town got up a Free chicken fizzle before Richmond That Little 62701 fight or free to all to Enter his rooster McClelland reminded him of Bap 2 by payin 25 cts entrance fee McNabbs Little Red Rooster. Newsletter design by Well Bap had a verry Splendid William B. Tubbs Red Rooster and he with others was The most obvious difference is that [email protected] entered Ellis makes no mention of Lincoln’s Well the eventful day arrived and involvement in the actual cockfight. For the People 7 following one of McClellan’s “strategic meaning to the story by using it to quotes can be attributed to President retreats” Lincoln likened him to Bab illustrate Lincoln’s use of humor. But Abraham Lincoln. The only refer- NcNabb’s rooster. Bab McNabb was in assuming that the story had its ences seem to be third party ones with a New Salem “sport” and on a visit origins in New Salem based upon an unverifiable original references. We, to Springfield found a very handsome actual event in which Lincoln served as and others, have found no such quote appearing fighting cock for which he judge, Reep firmly places the incident references in any of Lincoln’s writings traded and which he took to New within the New Salem tradition. The or in authoritative works on Lincoln. Salem. With Bab’s connivance word errors of Herndon/Weik, compounded We have included these quotes on this got to the Clary’s Grove boys that he by Reep, have led supporters of site only because of their wide spread had a wonderful fighting cock and a cockfighting to accept something that use.”4 Lincoln never uses the phrase challenge to combat immediately fol- cannot be documented from Ellis’s “animal rights” in any of his writings lowed. The preliminaries agreed upon, account, Lincoln serving as a judge and uses the phrase “human rights” but on the day set the sports all repaired for a cockfight. But if Lincoln did not four times.5 The phrases clearly have a to the cock pit, said by local tradition endorse cockfighting, did he endorse modern tone. If Lincoln never judged to have been on the west slope of the “animal rights?” cockfights, he also never addressed the ridge between the Offut store and Most recollections that relate to question of animal rights. Clary’s grocery. Betting, as usual, was Lincoln’s treatment of animals indi- brisk and Lincoln was elected to referee cate that he was repulsed by animal 1Paul Angle, ed., Herndon’s Life of the bout. The two cocks were dropped cruelty whether inflicted by humans Lincoln (Cleveland: World Publishing, into the pit. The local bird came from or by other animals. Several times, 1949), 96–97. a long line of royal progenitors and I have been asked to verify a quote 2Abner Y. Ellis to William Henry knew the game for which it had been attributed to Lincoln stating: “I am Herndon, Feb. 1, 1866, microfilm bred. It advanced cautiously toward in favor of animal rights as well as reel 8, frames 565–66, Herndon/Weik its opponent, upon which the much- human rights. That is the way of a Collection, , heralded stranger beat a hasty retreat whole human being.” The utterance Washington, D.C. and in a moment was “running rings” is found in Jon Wynne-Tyson, ed., 3Thomas Reep, Lincoln at New around the pit. Bab, with an expression The Extended Circle: A Dictionary of Salem (Petersburg, Ill.: Old Salem of disgust, leaped into the pit and seiz- Humane Thought (Fontwell, England: Lincoln League, 1927), 71–72. ing his bird flung it out and into the Centaur Press, 1985), 179. A careful 4http://www.all-creatures.org/ air. It lit on a pile of saplings near by, search of Lincoln’s writing fails to turn lincoln_abraham.html. that had been cut and hauled for wood, up this quote or anything similar to it. 5Lincoln’s most notable use of and stretching its neck and flapping its The Fehrenbachers excluded it from “human rights” is in his letter to the wings crowed lustily. All eyes were on consideration along with several oth- workingmen of Manchester, England. the bird, when Bab in withering tones ers as “spurious.” Although some Web But even here, Lincoln’s words have said—“Yes, you little devil! You are sites continue to post this quote attrib- been altered on the base of the statue in great on dress parade, but not worth a uting it to Lincoln, one site, www.all- Manchester to reflect current sensibili- d——n in a fight.”3 creatures.org, has this editorial note: ties. “Workingmen” has been changed Reep restores Ellis’s original “There is considerable doubt that these to “Workingpeople.”

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Please enroll me as a member of the Mail this application (or a photocopy) Abraham Lincoln Association in the and a check to: category indicated: The Abraham Lincoln Association Railsplitter $35 1 Old State Capitol Plaza ($25 Student) Springfield, Illinois Postmaster $75 62701 Lawyer $200 Congressman $500 Name President $1,000 Street Web site: www.alincolnassoc.com City Members residing outside the U.S. add State $3.00. Zip 8 For the People

President’s Column

continued from page 2 Jayne had been her wedding attendant. rally in Springfield in 1840. Both Field, a conservative from California, Both men became Republicans a year read law in Springfield, and Oglesby was the brother of David Dudley later, and Trumbull served three terms supported Lincoln in both of his Senate Field, who has escorted Lincoln to in the Senate, where he was Chairman campaigns. When the Civil War began, the platform in New York City early of the Judiciary Committee. Generally Oglesby led a regiment from Decatur in 1860 for his crucial Cooper Union supportive of Lincoln, Trumbull was and quickly rose to the rank of major speech, where he gained visibility and among the leaders of the Republican general after several engagements and stature among eastern Republicans. caucus that tried to force a Cabinet acquiring a mini-ball near his heart at None of these three great dissenters reorganization in December 1862, Corinth, Mississippi. That reminder found any basis for accepting the which Lincoln skillfully deflected. he carried the rest of his life. Elected Haymarket case, and the Supreme Notwithstanding his association with governor for the first time in 1864, Court rejected it unanimously. , Trumbull was one he was in Washington and called on During the year and one-half that of the seven Republicans that voted to Lincoln on the day of the assassination the trial and appeals were pending or acquit Andrew Johnson in 1868, any and was later present as he died. underway, public interest and opinion one of whom cast the deciding vote. Governor Oglesby received were building, not just in Chicago In 1876 he returned to the Democratic thousands of pleas for clemency in the and the Midwest, but nationwide and party. When approached to sign the Haymarket case in the days leading abroad. One who took an active part petition of the Amnesty Association on up to November 11. Two of the in this was Lincoln’s political associate, behalf of the condemned Haymarket anarchists requested clemency, and friend, and sometimes adversary, men, he exclaimed, “I will sign. These their sentences were commuted to life Lyman Trumbull. In 1855, Trumbull men did not have a fair trial.” imprisonment. One committed suicide was an anti-Nebraska Democrat who One recourse remained—in the with dynamite hidden in a cigar the won the election executive clemency powers entrusted day before the remaining four were over Lincoln in the Illinois Legislature to the . Governor taken to the gallows. This finished but because none of the five members of his Richard Oglesby was serving for the did not end one of the most troubling faction would vote for a Whig, despite third time in that capacity. At the state episodes in American history. (In the fact that Lincoln started well ahead nominating convention in Decatur 1893, John Peter Altgeld became the of him in the ballots. Lincoln released twenty-seven years earlier, Oglesby first Democratic governor in thirty-six his votes to Trumbull to prevent the had established the “railsplitter” image years and pardoned the three remaining Douglas Democratic candidate from for Lincoln’s 1860 campaign for the prisoners a few months after taking winning. never presidency, and he had heard Lincoln office—four year later, the Republicans forgave Trumbull’s wife, although Julia speak twenty years earlier at a Whig regained the governorship).

For the People Nonprofit Organization A Newsletter of the Abraham Lincoln Association U.S. Postage 1 Old State Capitol Plaza PAID Springfield, Illinois 62701 Springfield, Illinois Permit No. 263 FORWARDING AND RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED