Lincoln The Candidate

This wayside exhibit describes the history of Abraham Lincoln as a political candidate for the Illinois Legislature and U.S. congress. It describes the senatorial race between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, as well as a speech that was given by Lincoln himself at the location. Featured on the plaque is Beardstown artist William Barnhart's depiction of the speech to the crowd of 2,500-3,000 supporters.

This wayside exhibit is located at the location of a speech given by then candidate Abraham Lincoln during his campaign for congress. Already locally known as a lawyer, the exhibit is located not far from Lincoln's former law office. Following the sendoff from enthusiastic locals of Beardstown, Lincoln departed to continue his campaign trail by steamboat to Havana Illinois.

As well as describing the more popular bid for senate in 1858, this wayside exhibit describes Lincoln's 1846 run for U.S. Congress against his opponent Peter Cartwright. It was Cartwright who began the questioning of Lincoln's Christianity in an attempt to chip away at Lincoln's lead in the election. Though it did not negatively affect Lincoln's bid for congress, he was still followed by suspicions of his religious beliefs for the remainder of his life.

https://historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM138Q_lincoln-the-candidate_Beardstown-IL.html

https://www.lookingforlincoln.org/explore/sites/107/lincoln-the-candidate

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/teaching_packages/abraham_lincoln/doc26.html