The green Irish lad, whom I remember dimly, had become a great political chieftain and his words had much effect.  There was a stir among the delegates.  I turned and saw the tall form of Horace Greeley entering the door.  His big, full face looked rather serious.  He wore gold-bowed spectacles.  He was smooth-shaven save for the silken, white, throat beard that came out from under his collar.  His head was bald on top with soft, silvered locks over each ear.  He was a picturesque and appealing figure.  They called on him to speak.  He stepped forward and said slowly in a high-pitched drawl: 

“Gentlemen, this is my speech:  On your second ballot vote for Abraham Lincoln of Illinois.”

He bowed and left the room and visited many delegations, and everywhere expressed his convictions in this formula.  Backed by his tremendous personality and influence the simple words were impressive.  I doubt not they turned scores of men from Seward to the great son of Illinois.

Then—­the campaign with its crowds, its enthusiasm, its Vesuvian mutterings.  There was a curious touch of humor and history in its banners.  Here are three of them: 

“Menard County for the Tall Sucker.”

“We are for old Abe the Giant-Killer.”

“Link on to Lincoln.”

Then—­those last days in Springfield.

He came to the office the afternoon before he left and threw himself on the lounge and talked of bygone days with Herndon.

“Billy, how long have we been together?” he asked.

“Sixteen years.”

“Never a cross word.”

“Never.”

“Keep the old sign hanging.  A little thing like the election of a President should make no change in the firm of Lincoln and Herndon.  If I live I’m coming back some time and then we’ll go right on with the practice of the law as if nothing had happened.”

Then—­that Monday morning in Springfield when at eight o’clock on the eleventh of February the train bore him toward the great task of his life.  Hannah Armstrong, who had foxed his trousers in New Salem, and the venerable Doctor Allen and the Brimsteads, and Aleck Ferguson, bent with age, and Harry Needles and Bim and their four handsome children, and my father and mother, and Betsey, my maiden sister, and Eli Fredenberg were there in the crowd to bid him good-by.

A quartet sang.  Mr. Lincoln asked his friends and neighbors to pray for his success.  He was moved by the sight of them and could not have said much if he had tried.  The bell rang.  The train started.  He waved his hand and was gone.  Not many of us who stood trying to see through our tears were again to look upon him.  The years of preparation were ended and those of sacrifice had begun.