those five Democrats to elect Trumbull.

"I regret my defeat moderately," he wrote to a sympathizing
friend, "but I am not nervous about it." Yet it must have been
particularly trying to know that with forty-five votes in his
favor, and only five men standing between him and success, he had
been forced to give up his own chances and help elect the very
man who had defeated him.

The voters of Illinois were quick to realize the sacrifice he had
made. The five stubborn men became his most devoted personal
followers; and his action at this time did much to bring about a
great political change in the State. All over the country old
party lines were beginning to break up and re-form themselves on
this one question of slavery. Keeping its old name, the
Democratic party became the party in favor of slavery, while the
Northern Whigs and all those Democrats who objected to slavery
joined in what became known as the Republican party. It was at a
great mass convention held in Bloomington in May, 1856, that the
Republican party of Illinois took final shape; and it was here
that Lincoln made the wonderful address which has become famous
in party history as his "lost speech." There had been much
enthusiasm. Favorite speakers had already made stirring addresses
that had been listened to with eagerness and heartily applauded;
but hardly a man moved from his seat until Lincoln should be
heard. It was he who had given up the chance of being senator to
help on the cause of freedom. He alone had successfully answered
Douglas. Every one felt the fitness of his making the closing
speech--and right nobly did he honor the demand. The spell of the
hour was visibly upon him. Standing upon the platform before the