Summary of Speech at Sugar Creek, Illinois, 1 March 18441
The poor ignorant people were enlightened by speeches (if they were worthy of the
name) from Messrs[Messieurs] Lincoln, Baker, Henry and McNeil. Mr. Lincoln made some large statements, but I suppose they were true, for he had
the document with him. He attempted to make the farmer believe that the high pressure
tariff made every thing they bought cheaper, but said also he could not tell the reason,
but that it was so, and I suppose that is enough for the huge farmer to know. Now,
the little boys who Mr. Lincoln enlightened as to what the tariff was, could have
told him better than to make such a statement. He then proceeded along very calmly,
until Mr. Baker handed him a State Register, containing some extracts from the papers of Alex. Hamilton; then he rolled his eyes and shook his head, as if he had seen an Irishman. I think
I never saw such a stew as that piece threw them into; Lincoln came near having a
chicken fit, and a choking to death; but fortunately some water was proeured and he got over it.
1The Democratic Illinois State Register published this summary of Abraham Lincoln’s speech as a letter to the editors. No
other account of the speech has been located.
Printed Document, 1 page(s), Illinois State Register (Springfield), 15 March 1844, 2:4.