1850 American Gold Baron

Chapter 236 Lincoln’s Friends

"Speed, Seward, Logan, welcome."

After Mary welcomed the three people into the house, she hurriedly urged Lucy to prepare dinner to entertain the guests.

Speed ​​was a friend that Lincoln had known since 1836. They hit it off immediately and soon became close friends who talked about everything.

When they were unmarried young men in Springfield, Lincoln lived above the Speed ​​family's Ellis store. The two slept together for four years, during which time they had a heart-to-heart exchange of emotions.

A deep friendship was established.

Although it sounds strange, it was very common at the time. Single young people at that time rarely had private space. It was not strange for two or more young people to sleep in the same bed.

Years later, Lincoln became a well-known lawyer, taking cases in the circuit court, and the lawyers in the law firm also slept in the same room and on the same bed.

Of course, the exception was Judge Davis, who occupied a bed by himself.

This is not because the judge’s identity and status are more noble than the lawyers, but because Judge Davis’s weight of more than 300 pounds prevents the judge from sharing a bed with other people.

Speed ​​and Lincoln were from two different classes. Lincoln was born in the grassroots class, while Speed, who was four years younger than him, came from a prominent family. His family was a prominent family in Kentucky.

There was a plantation near Louisville, and 70 black slaves worked on the plantation.

Years later, when recalling his youth, Lincoln mentioned many times that the young lawyers of Springfield gathered around the fire behind Speed's store and talked, telling each other anecdotes and exchanging verses and articles.

, studying together was the most fulfilling time in his life.

Only 15 years have passed, and the young lawyers who chatted by the fire at Speed's Store in Springfield have gone their separate ways and have their own futures.

Like Lincoln, most of them entered politics or became judges and prosecutors in the United States, while a small number of them stayed as lawyers.

Logan had opened a law firm with Lincoln in his early years and had a relatively smooth cooperation experience.

Only in the autumn of 1844, before Logan decided to go into business with his son and disbanded the law firm, Logan took away most of the law firm's property.

This made Lincoln very dissatisfied. He, like Logan, also needed money, and the Logan-Lincoln firm was established and run by the two of them. Even if they parted ways, Lincoln should receive half of the law firm's assets.

Lincoln was a tolerant man and did not always brood over this incident. When he encountered a major case in the future, his first thought was to work with his old partner Logan to solve it.

He admired Logan's extraordinary business ability.

It was precisely because of this unpleasant experience that in his later career as a lawyer, Lincoln was no longer willing to be just a supporting role in a law firm, but hoped to become the leader of a law firm.

Of course, this is also related to the fact that Lincoln has accumulated rich experience during his many years as a lawyer and has become a well-known lawyer in the United States.

As for Seward, he was a young Whig whom Lincoln met after arriving in Washington.

They also have a common experience, that is, they all worked under the highly respected Calhoun and were highly appreciated by Calhoun.

In other words, Calhoun was kind to both of them.

Although Calhoun's political opinions were old-fashioned and he was regarded as a stickler by the outside world, Calhoun still had a good vision.

The two young men he admired most, Lincoln and Seward, later became pivotal figures in American politics.

Interestingly, two of the three close friends who came to visit Lincoln had political views to the left of Lincoln. Logan and Seward had ambiguous attitudes towards the abolition of slavery. It can also be said that they were not opposed to slavery and recognized that slavery was a

part of this country.

Of course, this is also an old tradition of the Whig Party. Whig Party members will never clearly express their stance on a specific political proposition. They will only clearly express their opposition attitudes and opinions on matters against the Democratic Party.

Only Speed, who was a slave owner, made it clear that he opposed slavery.

"Abraham, you are only 42 years old this year. With your ability, you will have a great political future. It is very stupid and reckless to leave Washington now. I hope you can continue to stay in Washington." Logan advised Lincoln.

He knew that Lincoln had problems with the Whigs in his heart, but he still hoped that his partner could calm down and not make hasty decisions, even though they had an unhappy cooperation experience.

But when it comes to major events in life, Logan hopes Lincoln can make careful decisions.

"The death of my mentor is inseparable from Liang Yao. I watched my mentor die in front of me with my own eyes. Before he left, his eyes were full of unwillingness and regret. Abraham, you are now determined to serve my mentor's enemies.

?" Siward said with a frown.

"I will always remember Mr. Calhoun's kindness to me, but his death cannot be entirely attributed to Liang Yao." Lincoln made a pot of coffee for his friends and spoke in a very firm tone.

“Only by serving the top people in the industry can you stand at the top of the industry pyramid.”

At this point, Lincoln glanced at the recruitment advertisement in the Washington Republic.

The content published in the recruitment advertisement is that America Group is recruiting capable lawyers to provide them with legal services. The annual consulting fee is US$2,500, and the remuneration for a single case starts at US$50.

During his time as a congressman, Lincoln lost many old clients. He needed a stable job to support his family and no longer wanted to take on those small cases worth $5 to $10 a piece.

In his opinion, these small cases are of no help to him except wasting his time and energy. He is now capable of taking on big cases.

Of course, the most important thing is that working for the Americas Group not only allows him to understand the sufferings of the people, but also allows him to come into contact with the upper class people in the New York business community. While working, he can receive generous remuneration while getting exercise and deepening his understanding of American society, especially

America's upper class.

This was a rare opportunity, and Lincoln planned to give it a try and go to New York for an interview with the Americas Group.

As for Calhoun's kindness to him, his past political experience was nothing but a piece of cake in Lincoln's eyes.

Although Calhoun was kind to him, he was very disappointed with Calhoun's political views. Calhoun belonged to the old diehard faction of the Whig Party. They did not want to establish a strong federal government but were content with the status quo.

, living a life of muddling along.

This was not only the idea of ​​old diehards such as Calhoun, but also the idea of ​​most people in the Whig Party.

The Whig Party had no clear political ideas and goals of its own, which was why Lincoln was so disappointed with the Whig Party and his colleagues in the Whig Party.

Although Lincoln also opposed the Democratic Party, Lincoln had to admit that compared to the Whig Party, at least the Democratic Party had a more rigorous organization, stricter management of party members, and had its own clear political opinions.

A well-disciplined and well-governed Democratic Party will outlast the Whigs. Lincoln also said these words in public, which caused the displeasure of the Whigs.

Lincoln had his own independent judgment on the current situation. Even after the introduction of the Compromise Act of 1850, the United States seemed to be on a stable and improving trend, Lincoln still believed that the United States was facing unprecedented changes since the founding of the country, and the crisis had not been resolved. The Compromise Act

It will only make domestic conflicts more acute until they reach the point of being out of control.

"Abraham, no matter what decision you make, I support your decision."

Speed ​​smoothed his curly black hair and looked at Lincoln firmly with a pair of sparkling blue eyes.

Speed, who has reached middle age, still has a handsome face. When he was young, Speed ​​was a well-known handsome young man from all over Kentucky. He came from a wealthy family, received a good education, and behaved elegantly, making Speed ​​a

He became the object of a Kentucky girl's heart.

After reaching middle age, Speed ​​has become more mature, making him look more attractive than when he was young. Many married women in Washington like to flirt with Speed.

"Speed, thank you." The tall Lincoln patted Speed ​​on the shoulder and said gratefully.

Lincoln knew in his heart that if there was only one person left in the world who supported him, that person must be Speed.

"I have also seen the recruitment advertisement of America Group. To be fair, the treatment is indeed very generous. The boss of America Group, Liang Yao, also has a good reputation in the business community. When I saw this recruitment advertisement, even I was tempted."

Speed ​​sat on an old sofa.

"It's just that New York has gathered the top lawyers in the United States. As far as I know, many well-known law firms hope to obtain the contracts of the Americas Group. It is not easy for you to fight alone with those law firms in New York for the contracts of the Americas Group."

.”

"Speed, you know me, and I am confident that I will get this contract." Lincoln said very confidently.

His confidence comes from the praise he received from his former clients. He also believes that he has done a good job as a lawyer and has a very good resume. His status as a former member of Congress is also a plus for him. America Group has no reason to reject him.

Excellent lawyer.

"Yes, I have confidence in you too, but you need a helper." Speed ​​said, "American Group is a large group. They are currently involved in railways, and the railway industry has far more legal disputes than other industries.

No matter how strong you are on your own, I'm worried that you won't be able to stand alone."

Having said this, Speed ​​paused and continued.

"I think you forgot someone."

Lincoln mistakenly thought that Speed ​​was going to personally help him. He rejected Speed ​​righteously: "Speed, you are different from me. You are well-educated and have profound knowledge. You should stay in Washington."

!”

(End of chapter)