His special task that day was to attack and ridicule the young man from Salem.

Turning to Lincoln, who stood within a few feet of him, he said: 'This young man must be taken down, and I am truly sorry that the task devolves upon me.' He then proceeded, in a very overbearing way, and with an assumption of great superiority, to attack Lincoln and his speech.

Lincoln stood calm, but his flashing eye and pale cheek showed his indignation.

As soon as Forquer had closed he took the stand and first answered his opponent's arguments fully and triumphantly.

So impressive were his words and manner that a hearer believes that he can remember to this day, and repeat, some of the expressions.