failure was a greater success than they would find in any other part of
the Union.

Mr. Lincoln went on to say that he honestly believed that all those who
wished to keep up the character of the Union; who did not believe in
enlarging our field, but in keeping our fences where they are and
cultivating our present possessions, making it a garden, improving the
morals and education of the people, devoting the administrations to this
purpose; all real Whigs, friends of good honest government--the race was
ours. He had opportunities of hearing from almost every part of the Union
from reliable sources and had not heard of a county in which we had not
received accessions from other parties. If the true Whigs come forward
and join these new friends, they need not have a doubt. We had a
candidate whose personal character and principles he had already
described, whom he could not eulogize if he would. Gen. Taylor had been
constantly, perseveringly, quietly standing up, doing his duty and asking
no praise or reward for it. He was and must be just the man to whom the
interests, principles, and prosperity of the country might be safely
intrusted. He had never failed in anything he had undertaken, although
many of his duties had been considered almost impossible.

Mr. Lincoln then went into a terse though rapid review of the origin of
the Mexican War and the connection of the administration and General
Taylor with it, from which he deduced a strong appeal to the Whigs
present to do their duty in the support of General Taylor, and closed
with the warmest aspirations for and confidence in a deserved success.

At the close of his truly masterly and convincing speech, the audience
gave three enthusiastic cheers for Illinois, and three more for the
eloquent Whig member from the State.