When he began he was embarrassed, spoke slowly and with some hesitation and difficulty.

But becoming excited by his subject, he forgot himself entirely, and went on with argument and wit, anecdote and ridicule, until his opponent was completely crushed.

Old settlers of Sangamon County who heard this reply speak of his personal transformation as wonderful.

When Lincoln began, they say, he seemed awkward, homely, unprepossessing.

As he went on, and became excited, his figure rose to its full height and became commanding and majestic.