Mr. Lincoln’s opponent on the Democratic ticket was no less a person
than old Peter Cartwright, the famous Methodist preacher and circuit
rider. Cartwright had preached to almost every congregation in the
district and had a strong following in all the churches. Mr. Lincoln did
not underestimate the strength of his great rival. He abandoned his law
business entirely and gave his whole attention to the canvass. This time
Mr. Lincoln was victorious and was elected by a large majority.
When Lincoln took his seat in Congress, in 1847, he was the only Whig
member from Illinois. His great political rival, Douglas, was in the
Senate. The Mexican War had already broken out, which, in common with
his party, he had opposed. Later in life he was charged with having
opposed the voting of supplies to the American troops in Mexico, but
this was a falsehood which he easily disproved. He was strongly
opposed to the War, but after it was once begun he urged its vigorous
prosecution and voted with the Democrats on all measures concerning the
care and pay of the soldiers. His opposition to the War, however, cost
him a re-election; it cost his party the congressional district, which
was carried by the Democrats in 1848. Lincoln’s former law partner,
Judge Logan, secured the Whig nomination that year and was defeated.