In 1841, while serving a term in the Illinois legislature, Lincoln
was the longest of the Sangamon representatives, distinguished as
the Long Nine. They were much hampered by an old member who tried
to put a stopper upon any measure on the set ground that it was
"un-con-sti-tu-tional." Lincoln was selected to "spike his gun."
A measure was introduced benefiting the Sangamon district, so that its
electee might befittingly push it, and defend it. He was warrantably
its usher when the habitual interrupter bawled his stereotyped:

"Unconstitutional!"

The "quasher" is reported as follows in the local press, if not in the
journal of the House, which one need not, perhaps, consult:

"Mr. Speaker," said the son of the Sangamon Vale, "the attack of the
member from Wabash County upon the un-con-sti-tu-tion-al-i-ty of this
measure reminds me of an old friend of mine.

"He k a peculiar-looking old fellow, with shaggy, overhanging
eyebrows, and a pair of spectacles under them. (This description
fitted the Wabash member, at whom all gaze was directed.)

"One morning just after the old soul got up, he imagined he saw a gray
squirrel on a tree near his house. So he took down his rifle, and
fired at the squirrel, as he believed, but the squirrel paid no
attention to the shot. He loaded and fired again and again, until, at
the thirteenth shot, he set down his gun impatiently, and said to his
boy, looking on:

"'Boy, there's something wrong about this rifle.'