He had already served a term in the Illinois Legislature (1834-35), and so well satisfied were his constituents that they renominated him for the succeeding term.

In the canvass which followed he distinguished himself as a stump-speaker; showing, by his tact and ability, by the skill and ingenuity with which he met his opponents in debate, by his shrewdness in attack and readiness in retort, how much he had profited by the training of the previous years.
An incident illustrating his ready wit and his keen insight into human nature occurred early in this campaign, at Springfield, where a public discussion was held between the opposing candidates.

An interesting version of this incident is given by Mr.Arnold: "There lived at this time in the most pretentious house in Springfield a prominent citizen named George Forquer.

He had been long in public life, had been a leading Whig--the party to which Lincoln belonged--but had lately gone over to the Democrats, and had received from the Democratic administration an appointment to the lucrative post of Register of the Land Office at Springfield.

Upon his handsome new house he had lately placed a lightning-rod, the first one ever put up in Sangamon County.