The Illinois Republican State Convention of 1860 met at Decatur, in a
_wigwam_ built for the purpose, a type of that noted in the Lincoln
annals as at Chicago. A special welcome was given to Abraham Lincoln as
a "distinguished citizen of Illinois, and one she will ever be
delighted to honor." The session was suddenly interrupted by the
chairman saying: "There is an old Democrat outside who has something to
present to the convention."
The present was two old fence-rails, carried on the shoulder of an
elderly man, recognized by Lincoln as his cousin John Hanks, and by the
Sangamon folks as an old settler in the Bottoms. The rails were
explained by a banner reading:
"Two rails from a lot made by Abraham Lincoln and John Hanks, in the
Sangamon Bottom, in the year 1830."
Thunderous cheers for "the rail-splitter" resounded, for this slur on
the statesman had recoiled on aspersers and was used as a title of
honor. The call for confirmation of the assertion led Lincoln to rise,
and blushing--so recorded--said:
"Gentlemen: I suppose you want to know something about those things.
Well, the truth is, John and I did make rails in the Sangamon Bottom."
He eyed the wood with the knowingness of an authority on "stumpage,"
and added: "I don't know whether we made those rails or not; the fact
is, I don't think they are a credit to the makers!" It was John Hanks'
turn to blush. "But I do know this: I made rails then, and, I think, I
could make better ones now!"
Whereupon, by acclamation, Abraham Lincoln was declared to be "first
choice of the Republican party in Illinois for the Presidency."
Riding a man in on a rail became of different and honorable meaning
from that out.
This incident was a prepared theatrical effect. Governor Oglesby
arranged with Lincoln's stepbrother, John D. Johnston, to provide two
rails, and, with Lincoln's mother's cousin, Dennis Hanks, for the
latter to bring in the rails at the telling juncture. Lincoln's guarded
manner about identifying the rails and sly slap at his ability to make
better ones show that he was in the scheme through recognizing that the
dodge was of value politically.
(Confirmed by several present, notably by Missouri Congressman John
Davis, who was taking notes, and by the present Speaker, Joseph Cannon,
also "a gentleman from Illinois." He was at this meeting and saw
Lincoln standing on the platform, between the rails he split. He
thought then that the orator's years of hard work and close study told
on him and that serious illness impended. It may be added, as a link
with the past, that on hearing; Lincoln and Douglas in their debates,
his courage and hopes as to advance through public speaking fell; yet
he was State attorney.)
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