A Stumping Sucker: Reception of Abraham Lincoln in Massachusetts, September 11–23, 1848

Abstract

On September 14, 1848, sixteen-year-old Samuel Hadley spotted an announcement for a Whig rally pasted to a building along Central Street in Lowell, Massachusetts. He paused to take a closer look, but not because of the political nature of the event; it was the peculiarity of a speakers advertised that intrigued Hadley: “Hon. Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, the only Whig Representative in Congress from that State.” Despite Hadley’s sympathy for the Democratic Party, the chance to see an Illinois politician piqued his curiosity enough for him to attend the rally. As Hadley approached Massachusetts Hall that evening, he heard roars of laughter from the street outside. Upon entry, he caught view of Lincoln on stage and noticed the crowd’s response to his comical stories. Soon Hadley was taken by the Illinoisan’s long, towering body pacing across the stage, especially the way he “shook his sides” as he spoke. Hadley recounted that Lincoln enthralled the Lowell audience with “amusing illustrations” and “funny stories,” heightened by his “peculiar manner” on stage and the unusual way he pronounced words. Lowell onlookers were more amused by the Illinoisan than interested in his political arguments.1 From September 12 to 23, 1848, the thirty-nine-year-old Lincoln campaigned