The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death. By Henry J. Raymond. To which are added anecdotes and personal reminiscences of President Lincoln, by Frank B. Carpenter.

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THE LIFE, PUBLIC SERVICES, AND

session until August 14th, as the members,-Senators and
Representatives alike, —insisted, each for himself, upon
expressing his views, and defining his position in full, for
the benefit of his constituents. The only speech of any
length made by Mr. Lincoln, subsequent to that from
whicl we have alrelady quoted, was delivered July 27th,
when he defended, with characteristic shrewdness and
ability, the position General Taylor had taken regarding
the exercise of thl veto power. This spe'ech is, perhaps,
more strongly marked by Mr. Lincoln's peculiarities than
any other of his Congressional utterances. The keen
sarcasm with wlich he exposed the inconsistencies of
both Gieneral Cass and Mr. Van Buren, is not surpassed
in any of his subsequent efforts.
Upon the adjournment of Congress, the members entered energl'ttically into the popular canvass, Mr. Lincoln
filst making a visit to New England, where he delivered
a number of effective campaign speeches in support of
(4eneral Taylor. The journals of the day note his presen'c at the Massachusetts State Convention during his
brief visit to New England, and speak in terms of the
highest praise of an address which lhe delivered at New
Bedford. HIe felt conscious, however, that he could labor
more effectively among his Western friends, and accordingly spent most of his time during the canvass in that
section of the country. Although he failed to carry his
own State for his favorite candidate, his disappointment
was entirely forgotten in General Taylor's election.
In December, when the Thirtieth Congress reassembled
for its second session, Mr. Lincoln took his seat; but the
exhaustion consequent upon the exciting political campaign just (closed, reacted upon Congress, and precluded
the possibility of any exciting discussions. Important
action was taken, however, upon the slavery question
in some of its phases. It is needless to state, that during his entire Congressional service, Mr. Lincoln steadily
and persistently cast his vote upon the side of freedom.
He repeatedly recorded himself against laying on the
table, without consideration, petitions in favor of the