The improvement of the Sangamon River was the next best thing.

Its channel could be straightened and cleared of driftwood and made navigable for small vessels under thirty tons' burden.

He favored a usury law and said, in view of the talk he had just heard, he was going to favor the improvement and building of schools, so that every one could learn how to read, at least, and learn for himself what is in the Bible and other great books.

It was a modest statement and we all liked it." * * * * * "Whatever happens to the Sangamon, one statement in that platform couldn't be improved," said Kelso.
"What is that ?" Abe asked.
"It's the one that says you wish to win the regard of your fellows by serving them." "It's a lot better than saying that he wishes to serve Abe," said Dr.
Allen, a remark which referred to a former conversation with Abe, in which Kelso had had a part.
"You can trust Abe to take the right turn at every fork in the road," Kelso went on.

"If you stick to that, my boy, and continue to study, you'll get there and away beyond any goal you may now see.