1850 American Gold Tycoon.

Chapter 236 Lincoln's Friends
"Speed, Seward, Logan, welcome."

After Mary welcomed the three of them into the house, she hurriedly urged Lucy to prepare dinner for the guests.

Speed ​​is a partner that Lincoln met in 1836. They hit it off at first sight, and soon became close friends who talked about everything.

When they were unmarried youths in Springfield, Lincoln lived above the Ellis store in Speed's house. The two shared a couch for four years. During this period, they confided and exchanged emotions. Established a deep friendship.

Although it sounds strange, it was a very common thing at the time. Single young people at that time rarely had private space, and it was not unusual for two or more young people to share a bed.

Years later, Lincoln became a well-known lawyer and followed the circuit court to take cases. The lawyers of the law firm also crowded together to sleep on the same bed in the same room.

Except, of course, Judge Davis, who occupied a bed by himself.

This is not because the identity and status of a judge is more noble than that of a lawyer, but that Judge Davis weighs more than 300 pounds, making it impossible for the judge to share a bed with other people.

Speed ​​and Lincoln are people of two different classes. Lincoln was born in the grassroots class, while Speed, who is four years younger than him, has a prominent family background. His family is a famous family in Kentucky.

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

Years later, when recalling his youthful life, Lincoln mentioned many times that the young lawyers in Springfield chatted around the fire behind the Speed ​​store, telling each other anecdotes, exchanging their verses and articles , Studying together is the most fulfilling time in his life.

It's only been 15 years, and the young lawyers who chatted by the fireside at the Springfield Speed ​​store have gone their separate ways and made their own careers.

Most of them, like Lincoln, set foot in politics, or became judges and prosecutors in the United States, and a small number of them stuck to their positions as lawyers.

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

It was only in the autumn of 1844 that Logan decided to go into business with his son, and before disbanding the law firm, Logan took away most of the property of the law firm.

This made Lincoln very dissatisfied. He needed money just like Logan, and the Logan-Lincoln firm was jointly established and operated by the two. Even if they parted ways, Lincoln should still receive half of the assets of the firm.

Lincoln was a magnanimous person, and he didn't worry about this matter all the time. When he encountered a major case in the future, the first thing he thought of was to join hands with his old partner Logan to handle it.

He appreciates 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 a supporting role in the law firm, but hoped to become the leader of the law firm.

Of course, this is also related to Lincoln's years of accumulated experience as a lawyer and his becoming a well-known lawyer in the United States.

As for Seward, it was a young Whig party member Lincoln met after he arrived in Washington.

There is also a common experience between them, that is, they have worked together under the highly respected Calhoun, and they are very appreciated by Calhoun.

In other words, Calhoun had been kind to the two of them.

Although Calhoun's political opinions are old-fashioned, and the outside world evaluates him as a conventional person, Calhoun's vision is still good.

The two young men he admired most, Lincoln and Seward, both became important figures in American politics in the future.

Interestingly, among the three close friends who came to visit Lincoln, two of them had political views to the left of Lincoln, and Logan and Seward had ambiguous attitudes towards the abolition of slavery. It can also be said that they did not oppose slavery and recognized that slavery part of this country.

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

Only Speed, who was born as 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 a foolish and reckless act to leave Washington now. I hope you can continue to stay in Washington." Logan advised Lincoln.

He knew that Lincoln had a problem with the Whigs in his heart, but he still hoped that his partner could calm down and not make hasty decisions, although they had a very unpleasant experience of cooperation.

But in the face of major events in life, Logan hoped that Lincoln could make a careful decision.

"The death of my mentor has an inseparable relationship with Liang Yao. I saw my mentor die in front of me. Before he left, his eyes were full of unwillingness and regret. Abraham, you are sure to serve the enemy of your mentor now." ?” said Seward, frowning.

"Your Excellency Calhoun's kindness to me, I will always remember it in my heart, but his death cannot be completely attributed to Liang Yao." Lincoln made a pot of coffee for his friends, speaking in a very firm tone.

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

Speaking of which, Lincoln glanced at the recruitment ad in the Washington Republic.

The content of the recruitment advertisement is that the American Group recruits capable lawyers to provide them with legal services. The annual consulting fee is 2500 US dollars, and the remuneration for a single case starts at 50 US dollars.

During his tenure as a member of Congress, Lincoln lost many old clients. He needed a stable job to support his family, and he did not want to take on those small cases of $5 to $10.

In his opinion, apart from wasting his time and energy, these small cases are of no help to him, and 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 to get in touch with the upper class in New York business circles. American high society.

This is a rare opportunity, and Lincoln intends to give it a try, going to New York to attend an interview with the American Group.

As for Calhoun's kindness to him, those political experiences in the past are now just a feather in Lincoln's eyes.

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

This was the thinking not only of old die-hards like Calhoun, but of much of the Whig party as well.

The Whig Party did not have its own clear political ideas and goals, which is why Lincoln was so disappointed with the Whig Party and those colleagues of the Whig Party.

Although Lincoln also opposed the Democratic Party, Lincoln also had to admit that compared with the Whig Party, at least the Democratic Party was more tightly organized, had stricter management of party members, and had its own clear political views.

A disciplined and well-governed Democratic Party would outlast the Whigs, something Lincoln had said in public to the displeasure of the Whigs.

Lincoln had his own independent judgment on the current situation. Even after the introduction of the Compromise Act in 1850, the United States seemed to have a steady and positive trend. Lincoln still believed that the United States was facing unprecedented changes since the founding of the country. The crisis has not been resolved. The Compromise Act It will only make the domestic conflicts more acute until they get out of hand.

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

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

In middle age, Speed ​​still has a handsome face. When he was young, Speed ​​was a well-known handsome young man in Kentucky. He had a good family background, a good education, and elegant manners. The object of the Kentucky girl's heart.

After reaching middle age, the more mature Speed ​​makes him look more attractive than when he was young.Many married women in Washington like to flirt with Speed,
"Thank you, Speed." 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 the American Group. In all fairness, the salary is really good. The boss of the American Group, Liang Yao, also has a good reputation in the business world. 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 want to win the contract of the American Group. If you fight alone, it is not easy to compete with those law firms in New York for the contract of the American Group. .”

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

His confidence comes from the praise of his former clients. He also thinks that he has done a good job as a lawyer and has a beautiful resume. His status as a former member of Congress is also his plus point. The American Group has no reason to reject him. Excellent lawyer.

"Yes, I also have great confidence in you, but you need a helper." Speed ​​said, "The American Group is a large group. They are currently involved in railways, and the legal disputes in the railway industry are far more than other industries. No matter how strong you are alone, I am worried that you will not be able to support yourself."

Having said that, Speed ​​paused and continued.

"I think you forgot someone."

Lincoln mistakenly thought that Speed ​​was going to come out to help him in person, so he rejected Speed ​​with righteous words: "Speed, you are different from me, you are well educated and have profound knowledge, you should stay in Washington !"

(End of this chapter)