In December, 1839, Douglas, in a heated conversation,
challenged the young Whigs present to a political discussion. The
challenge was immediately taken up, and the public of Springfield
listened with eager interest to several nights of sharp debate between
Whig and Democratic champions, in which Lincoln bore a prominent and
successful share. In the following summer, Lincoln's name was placed
upon the Harrison electoral ticket for Illinois, and he lent all his
zeal and eloquence to swell the general popular enthusiasm for
"Tippecanoe and Tyler too."
In the midst of this political and social awakening of the new capital
and the quickened interest and high hopes of leading citizens gathered
there from all parts of the State, there came into the Springfield
circles Miss Mary Todd of Kentucky, twenty-one years old, handsome,
accomplished, vivacious, witty, a dashing and fascinating figure in
dress and conversation, gracious and imperious by turns. She easily
singled out and secured the admiration of such of the Springfield beaux
as most pleased her somewhat capricious fancy. She was a sister of Mrs.
Ninian W. Edwards, whose husband was one of the "Long Nine." This
circumstance made Lincoln a frequent visitor at the Edwards house; and,
being thus much thrown in her company, he found himself, almost before
he knew it, entangled in a new love affair, and in the course of a
twelvemonth engaged to marry her.
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