The conviction of his duty was deep and sincere.

Hence he pleaded the cause of liberty with an energy, ability, and power which rapidly gained for him a national reputation.

Conscious of the greatness of his cause, inspired by a genuine love of liberty, animated and made strong by the moral sublimity of the conflict, he solemnly announced his determination to speak for freedom and against slavery until--in his own words--wherever the Federal Government has power, 'the sun shall shine, the rain shall fall, and the wind shall blow upon no man who goes forth to unrequited toil.'" The absorbing political topic in 1855 was the contest in Kansas, which proved the battle-ground for the struggle over the introduction of slavery into the territories north of the line established by the "Missouri Compromise." Lincoln's views on the subject are defined in a notable letter to his friend Joshua Speed, a resident of Kentucky.

The following passages show, in Lincoln's own words, where he stood on the slavery question at this memorable epoch: SPRINGFIELD, AUGUST 24, 1855.
Dear Speed:--You know what a poor correspondent I am.

Ever since I received your very agreeable letter of the twenty-second of May, I have been intending to write you in answer to it.