As a nation we began by declaring that ’all men are created equal.’  We now practically read it ’all men are created equal, except negroes.’  When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read, ’all men are created equals, except negroes and foreigners and Catholics.’  When it comes to that, I should prefer emigrating to some other country where they make no pretense of loving liberty—­to Russia for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.

     Your friend forever,
     A. LINCOLN.

Lincoln was soon accorded an opportunity to cross swords again with his former political antagonist, Douglas, who had lately come from his place in the Senate Chamber at Washington, where he had carried the obnoxious Nebraska Bill against the utmost efforts of Chase, Seward, Sumner, and others, to defeat it.  As Mr. Arnold narrates the incident,—­“When, late in September, 1854, Douglas returned to Illinois he was received with a storm of indignation which would have crushed a man of less power and will.  A bold and courageous leader, conscious of his personal power over his party, he bravely met the storm and sought to allay it.  In October, 1854, the State Fair being then in session at Springfield, with a great crowd of people in attendance from all parts of the State, Douglas went there and made an elaborate and able speech in defense of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise.  Lincoln was called upon by the opponents of this repeal to reply, and he did so with a power which he never surpassed and had never before equalled.  All other issues which had divided the people were as chaff, and were scattered to the winds by the intense agitation which arose on the question of extending slavery, not merely into free territory, but into territory which had been declared free by solemn compact.  Lincoln’s speech occupied more than three hours in delivery, and during all that time he held the vast crowd in the deepest attention.”

Mr. Herndon said of this event:  “This anti-Nebraska speech of Mr. Lincoln was the profoundest that he made in his whole life.  He felt burning upon his soul the truths which he uttered, and all present felt that he was true to his own soul.  His feelings once or twice came near stifling utterance.  He quivered with emotion.  He attacked the Nebraska Bill with such warmth and energy that all felt that a man of strength was its enemy, and that he intended to blast it, if he could, by strong and manly efforts.  He was most successful, and the house approved his triumph by loud and continued huzzas, while women waved their white handkerchiefs in token of heartfelt assent.  Douglas felt the sting, and he frequently interrupted Mr. Lincoln; his friends felt that he was crushed by the powerful argument of his opponent.  The Nebraska Bill was shivered, and, like a tree of the forest, was torn and rent asunder by hot bolts of truth.  At the conclusion of this speech, every