He had abounding confidence in himself, possessed moral courage of a high order, and did not know the sensation of physical fear.

He was zealous in the performance of public duty, radical in all his convictions, patriotic in every thought, an unrelenting foe to all forms of corruption.
He distinguished between a friend and an enemy.

He was always ready to help the one, and, though not lacking in magnanimity, he seldom neglected an opportunity to cripple the other.
Lyman Trumbull had entered the Senate six years before, when Illinois revolted against the course of Douglas in destroying the Missouri Compromise.

Mr.Lincoln had earnestly desired the place, but waived his claims.

The election of Trumbull was considered desirable for the consolidation of the new party, and the Republicans of Whig antecedents were taught a lesson of self-sacrifice by the promptness with which Mr.Lincoln abandoned the contest.