He began his campaign in April, giving himself full three months
for electioneering. It was customary in those days for candidates
to attend all manner of neighborhood gatherings--"raisings" of
new cabins, horseraces, shooting-matches, auctions--anything that
served to call the settlers together; and it was social
popularity, quite as much as ability to discuss political
questions, that carried weight with such assemblies. Lincoln, it
is needless to say, was in his element. He might be called upon
to act as judge in a horse-race, or to make a speech upon the
Constitution! He could do both. As a laughing peacemaker between
two quarrelsome patriots he had no equal; and as contestant in an
impromptu match at quoit-throwing, or lifting heavy weights, his
native tact and strong arm served him equally well. Candidates
also visited farms and outlying settlements, where they were
sometimes unexpectedly called upon to show their mettle and
muscle in more useful labor. One farmer has recorded how Lincoln
"came to my house near Island Grove during harvest. There were
some thirty men in the field. He got his dinner, and went out in
the field where the men were at work. I gave him an introduction,
and the boys said that they could not vote for a man unless he
could make a hand. 'Well, boys,' said he, "if that is all, I am
sure of your votes.
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