Carthage in Hancock County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lincoln's Carthage Speech

Looking for Lincoln

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, June 10, 2012

1. Lincoln's Carthage Speech Marker

Inscription.

Lincoln's Carthage Speech. Looking for Lincoln. , Abraham Lincoln defended himself against political attacks during much of the speech he delivered here on the courthouse grounds on October 22, 1858. Stephen A. Douglas, who had spoken here eleven days earlier, had accused Lincoln of being too cozy with big railroad companies and of helping them to avoid paying taxes---a charge Douglas had never made to Lincoln's face in their joint debates. Lincoln explained his fee arrangement for railroad legal services and proclaimed that railroads "shall not be released from their obligations to pay money into the State Treasury." Despite the necessity of responding to attacks, Lincoln seemed to be "in admirable spirits and voice and gave us the best speech ever made in Hancock County," reported Republican newspapers. Apparently, there were many more women at Lincoln's speech than at Douglas'. The local Democratic newspaper excused this embarrassment by blaming a heavy rain the night before Douglas spoke that had turned Carthage into a sea of mud, and boasting that more "real" voters (men) had attended Douglas's speech.

None of the famous Lincoln-Douglas Debates were held in Hancock County. But Lincoln gave more formal speeches here during the 1858 campaign (four) than in any other county---causing Douglas to speak here more times (three) than in all but one county (Madison). Lincoln spoke here one week after the seventh and final Lincoln-Douglas Debate (held in Alton on October 15). it was a late strategic decision by Lincoln to spend two days contesting Hancock County as the senate race neared its frantic close.

Abraham Lincoln defended himself against political attacks during much of the speech he delivered here on the courthouse grounds on October 22, 1858. Stephen A. Douglas, who had spoken here eleven days earlier, had accused Lincoln of being too cozy with big railroad companies and of helping them to avoid paying taxes---a charge Douglas had never made to Lincoln's face in their joint debates. Lincoln explained his fee arrangement for railroad legal services and proclaimed that railroads "shall not be released from their obligations to pay money into the State Treasury." Despite the necessity of responding to attacks, Lincoln seemed to be "in admirable spirits and voice and gave us the best speech ever made in Hancock County," reported Republican newspapers. Apparently, there were many more women at Lincoln's speech than at Douglas'. The local Democratic newspaper excused this embarrassment by blaming a heavy rain the night before Douglas spoke that had turned Carthage into a sea of mud, and boasting that more "real" voters (men) had attended Douglas's speech.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online
in all but one county (Madison). Lincoln spoke here one week after the seventh and final Lincoln-Douglas Debate (held in Alton on October 15). it was a late strategic decision by Lincoln to spend two days contesting Hancock County as the senate race neared its frantic close.

Over five thousand people heard Lincoln speak. "Each delegation had its flags and appropriate designs...two or three hundred of these flags, great and small, floating in the breeze." Joseph Smith III wrote, "I went to hear Judge Douglas greatly prejudiced in his favor because of his straightforward, honorable action in his treatment of my father...The next week on Friday I drove out to hear Mr. Lincoln...For the first five or ten minutes I...thought if that was the best the party could do, it was in an awful bad condition. However, by the time Mr. Lincoln was fully engaged in his subject, I forgot that he was homely, lank, angular, long armed, long legged and long necked and was much pleased with his style and manner of speaking."

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1844.

Location. 40° 24.768′ N, 91° 8.1′ W.

Map of Hancock County image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, June 10, 2012

2. Map of Hancock County

Marker is in Carthage, Illinois, in Hancock County. Marker is on Wabash Ave. just west of South Adams Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carthage IL 62321, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Masonic Lodge Building of 1887 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln's Failed Murder Case (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln and Agriculture (within shouting distance of this marker); Hamilton House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lincoln in Hancock County (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Carthage Jail (approx. ¼ mile away); The "Old Jail" (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Simon Cemetery (approx. 10.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carthage.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 540 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.