ABRAHAM LINCOLN -- CHAPTER 11

LINCOLN, THE LAWYER      It was during the sitting of the legislature that he decided to study law, perhaps because of the influence of John T. Stuart, an eminent lawyer from Springfield. As he was busily engaged in surveying, he generally studied law at night. Eager to absorb knowledge and strong in constitution, he could endure such hard work.      Lincoln's second term in the legislature brought him face to face with the slavery question. Those who favored the suppression of Negro slavery were called the abolitionists. They scattered books and pamphlets against slavery North and South, talking about the sin of slavery.      The state gonernments, even in the North, were suppressing these agitators. In Illinois they were not like in the least. Lincoln had a great capacity for waiting, and believed in the    ultimate victory of reason. He saw no use, but a great deal of harm, in premature political   agitation.      He was admitted to the bar in 1837 and soon afterward moved to Springfield, and became the partner of John T.Stuart, his benefactor, in the practice of law. In 1838 he was elected,    for a third time, to the legislature, by a larger majority than ever.