Changes

Andrew Jackson, the hero of New Orleans in the War of 1812 and a Democrat from Tennessee, was in the White House when Lincoln first entered politics.  He shared with Jackson the sympathies for the common man, but differed in the role of government as related to it; Jackson stated the government should be separated from the economic enterprise, while Lincoln was of the view that “the legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot do so well, for themselves, in their separate and individual capacities.”  Lincoln most associated himself with the Whig Party, as among their members Henry Clay and Daniel Webster both advocated a government should be encouraging business, and the development of the country to that end.  It was an easy choice for Lincoln: he saw Illinois as needing such aid to improve the development of its own economy.

Andrew Jackson, the hero of New Orleans in the War of 1812 and a Democrat from Tennessee, was in the White House when Lincoln first entered politics.  He shared with Jackson the sympathies for the common man, but differed in the role of government as related to it; Jackson stated the government should be separated from the economic enterprise, while Lincoln was of the view that “the legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot do so well, for themselves, in their separate and individual capacities.”  Lincoln most associated himself with the Whig Party, as among their members Henry Clay and Daniel Webster both advocated a government should be encouraging business, and the development of the country to that end.  It was an easy choice for Lincoln: he saw Illinois as needing such aid to improve the development of its own economy.

   

   

In the Illinois State Legislature Lincoln found that politics could be detrimental and harsh, as well as rewarding.  An example of the former occurred in 1836, as he just gave a speech in support of his re-election.  Democrat John Forquer, also seeking election, used his response and acid tounge to denounce him. "This young man needs to be taken down" he said, pointing to Lincoln, "and I'm afraid the task devolves upon me." The success of Forquer's speech convinced some of Lincoln's own allies that his career was over.

In the Illinois State Legislature Lincoln found that politics could be detrimental and harsh, as well as rewarding.  An example of the former occurred in 1836, just as he gave a speech in support of his re-election.  Democrat John Forquer, also seeking election, used his response and acid tounge to denounce him. "This young man needs to be taken down" he said, pointing to Lincoln, "and I'm afraid the task devolves upon me." The success of Forquer's speech convinced some of Lincoln's own allies that his career was over.

But when Lincoln rose to make his rebuttal, he thought of Forquer, and what he had done recently in conniving with President Jackson to change parties; in reward for doing so he was made Government Land Register with a $3,000 annual salary. Forquer was then able to construct a fine new house in Springfield, complete with a curiosity residents had heard about from various scientific journals but had never seen before: a lightning rod.  Before he entered the state house, Lincoln spent a few minutes staring at the thing, and having heard Forquer's speech later on, he thought of what he saw.  Lincoln's reply was blistering, and sealed Forquer's fate.  

But when Lincoln rose to make his rebuttal, he thought of Forquer, and what he had done recently in conniving with President Jackson to change parties; in reward for doing so he was made Government Land Register with a $3,000 annual salary. Forquer was then able to construct a fine new house in Springfield, complete with a curiosity residents had heard about from various scientific journals but had never seen before: a lightning rod.  Before he entered the state house, Lincoln spent a few minutes staring at the thing, and having heard Forquer's speech later on, he thought of what he saw.  Lincoln's reply was blistering, and sealed Forquer's fate.