Hon. Elijah M. Haines, ex-Speaker of the Illinois Legislature, a resident of the State for over half a century, and one of Lincoln’s early friends, was a member of the Legislature during the Senatorial struggle just referred to.  His familiarity with all its incidents lends value to his distinct and vivid recollections.  “Abraham Lincoln had been elected a member of the House on the Fusion ticket, with Judge Stephen T. Logan, for the district composed of Sangamon County,” writes Mr. Haines.  “But it being settled that the Fusion party—­which was an anti-Douglas combination, including Whigs, Free-Soilers, Know-Nothings, etc.—­would have a majority of the two houses on ballot, Mr. Lincoln was induced to become a candidate for United States Senator, for the support of that party.  He therefore did not qualify as a member.  Although Mr. Lincoln never acquired the reputation of being an office-seeker, yet it happened frequently that his name would be mentioned in connection with some important position.  He became quite early in life one of the prominent leaders of the Whig party of the State, and for a long time, in connection with a few devoted associates, led the forlorn hope of that party.  During a period of about twenty years there was seldom more than one Whig member in the Illinois delegation of Congressmen.  The Sangamon district, in which Mr. Lincoln lived, was always sure to elect a Whig member when the party was united; but it contained quite a number of aspiring Whig orators, and there was a kind of understanding between them that no one who attained the position of Representative in Congress should hold it longer than one term; that he would then give way for the next favorite.  Mr. Lincoln had held the position once, and its return to him was far in the future.  The Fusion triumph in the Legislature was considered by the Whig element as a success, in which they acknowledged great obligation to Mr. Lincoln.  That element in the Fusion party therefore urged his claims as the successor of General Shields.  His old associate and tried friend in the Whig cause, Judge Logan, became the champion of his interests in the House of Representatives.  I was present and saw something of Mr. Lincoln during the early part of the session, before the vote for Senator was taken.  He was around among the members much of the time.  His manner was agreeable and unassuming; he was not forward in pressing his case upon the attention of members, yet before the interview would come to a close some allusion to the Senatorship would generally occur, when he would respond in some such way as this:  ’Gentlemen, that is rather a delicate subject for me to talk upon; but I must confess that I would be glad of your support for the office, if you shall conclude that I am the proper person for it.’  When he had finished, he would generally take occasion to withdraw before any discussion on the subject arose.  When the election of Senator occurred, in February, Lincoln received