Such is the truth, and the Judge has a right to make all he can out of it." The most ambitious utterance of Lincoln during this term in Congress was that of July 27, 1848, when he took for his subject the very comprehensive one of "The Presidency and General Politics." It was a piece of sound and forcible argumentation, relieved by strong and effective imagery and quiet humor.

A considerable portion of it was occupied with an exposure of the weaknesses of General Cass, the Presidential candidate opposed to General Taylor.

Lincoln ridiculed Cass with all the wit at his command.

An extract from this speech has already been quoted in this work, in the account of Lincoln in the Black Hawk War.

Another passage, equally telling, relates to the vacillating action of General Cass on the Wilmot Proviso.