GDG- let this be confidential

[Dennis Lawrence]

To Joseph Gillespie
J. Gillespie, Esq Springfield,
My dear Sir Dec: 1- 1854

I have really got it into my head to try to be United States Senator; and 
if I could have your support my chances would be reasonably good. But I 
know, and acknowledge, that you have as just claims to the place as I have; 
and therefore I do not ask you to yield to me, if you are thinking of 
becoming a candidate yourself. If, however, you are not, then I should like 
to be remembered affectionately by you; and also, to have you make a mark 
for me with the Anti-Nebraska members, down your way. If you know, and have 
no objection to tell, let me know whether Trumbull  intends to make a push. 
If he does, I suppose the two men in St. Clair, and one or both in Madison 
will be for him.

We have the Legislature clearly enough on joint ballot; but the Senate is 
very close; and Calhoun  told me to-day that the Nebraska men will stave 
off the election if they can. Even if we get into joint vote, we shall have 
difficulty to unite our forces.

Please write me, and let this be confidential Your friend as ever A. LINCOLN---

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

Aftermath:

In order to defeat the Democratic forces of Senator Stephen Douglas, 
Senator James Shields and Governor Joel Matteson, Lincoln realized he would 
have to subsume his own ambitions to the greater good of the coalition 
against the Nebraska legislation advanced by Douglas. On the first ballot 
on February 8, 1855, there was a wide field. Some of Mr. Lincoln's friends 
nominated others - State Senator Joseph Gillespie nominated Cyrus Edwards 
and Isaac Arnold nominated William Kellogg. Mr. Lincoln's former law 
partner, Stephen Logan, nominated Mr. Lincoln. On the first ballot, Mr. 
Lincoln held a 45-41 edge over James Shield and Lyman Trumbull had only 
five votes. Because his votes dropped and those of Trumbull and Matteson 
rose, Mr. Lincoln finally switched his votes on the tenth ballot to 
Trumbull in order to stop election of a pro-Nebraska Democrat like 
Matteson. Logan, "gave up Lincoln with great reluctance," according to 
Gillespie. "He begged hard to try him on one or two ballots more, but Mr. 
Lincoln urged us not to risk it longer. I never saw the latter more earnest 
and decided. He said he was satisfied that he could not get the support of 
those five men and it would be unwise to contend any more and incur the 
risk of electing Matteson."6

Gillespie recalled that Mr. Lincoln congratulated Trumbull: "Mr. Lincoln 
did not appear to have any hard feelings towards Trumbull although of 
course greatly disappointed and mortified at his own want of success."7 
However, Trumbull's election to the Senate angered many of Lincoln's 
friends - including his own wife, who became permanently alienated from 
longtime intimate Julia Trumbull. "Trumbull is the most selfish man that 
ever lived & Mr. Lincoln never will see it," Judge David Davis once 
contended.8 Mr. Lincoln himself took the defeat with better grace. Trumbull 
biographer Ralph J. Roske wrote:

     The very evening of the election, there was a reception, according to 
one version, at the home of Nicholas H. Ridgely, Springfield's leading 
banker. The Mattesons, the Lincolns, and the Trumbulls were all invited. 
Matteson and his wife never appeared. Lyman and Julia Trumbull caused a 
stir as they beamingly swept into the drawing-room. They were the center of 
an admiring throng when Abraham and Mary Lincoln entered. Quickly, the 
hostess remarked that she had been disappointed at Lincoln's defeat, but 
rejoiced with him that the Anti-Nebraska principle had triumphed. Gracious 
in defeat, Lincoln smiled, moved toward Judge Trumbull, saying, 'Not too 
disappointed to congratulate my friend Trumbull,' and shook him warmly by 
the hand.9

More at http://www.mrlincolnandfriends.org/inside.asp?pageID=15&subjectID=1