Chapter 233: Lincoln's Friends

"Speed, Seward, Logan, welcome."

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

Speed ​​was a partner Lincoln had known since 1836. They hit it off at first sight and soon became close friends who could talk about anything.

When they were still unmarried young people in Springfield, Lincoln lived upstairs in the Ellis store of Speed's family. The two slept on the same bed for four years. During this period, they talked to each other, exchanged feelings, and established a deep friendship.

Although it sounds a bit strange, it was a very common thing at the time. At that time, single young people had little private space, and it was not strange for two or more young people to sleep in the same bed.

Many years later, Lincoln became a well-known lawyer, and followed the circuit court to take cases. The lawyers in the law firm also slept in the same bed in the same room.

Of course, Judge Davis was an exception. He occupied a bed by himself.

This is not because the judge's status and position are more noble than lawyers, but because Judge Davis weighs more than 300 pounds, which makes it impossible for the judge to share a bed with others.

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

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

Many years later, when recalling his life when he was young, Lincoln mentioned many times that the young lawyers in Springfield gathered around the stove behind Speed's store to talk about everything, tell each other anecdotes, exchange their own poems and articles, and study together. It was the most fulfilling time in his life.

Only 15 years have passed, and the young lawyers who talked about everything by the stove in Speed's store in Springfield have gone their separate ways and have their own future.

Most of them, like Lincoln, have entered politics, or become judges and prosecutors in the United States, while a few stick to their lawyers.

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

However, in the autumn of 1844, Logan decided to go into business with his son. Before dissolving the law firm, Logan took away most of the law firm's property.

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 get half of the law firm's assets.

Lincoln was a generous person and did not always hold a grudge against this matter. When he encountered a major case in the future, the first thing he thought of was to work together with his old partner Logan to handle it.

He admired Logan's extraordinary business ability.

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

Of course, this was also related to Lincoln's rich experience accumulated over many years of legal career and becoming a well-known lawyer in the United States.

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

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

In other words, Calhoun had a favor for both of them.

Although Calhoun's political views were old-fashioned and the outside world regarded him as a conservative person, Calhoun still had a good vision.

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

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

Of course, this is also an old tradition of the Whig Party. Whig Party members never make a clear statement on a specific political proposition. They only clearly express their opposition attitude and views on things against the Democratic Party.

Only Speed, who was born a slave owner, clearly stated that he opposed slavery.

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

He knew that Lincoln had opinions about the Whig Party, but he still hoped that his partner could calm down and not make hasty decisions, although they had a not-so-pleasant experience of cooperation.

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

"The death of my mentor is inseparable from Liang Yao. I watched my mentor die in front of me. Before he left, his eyes were full of reluctance and regret. Abraham, are you sure you want to work for your mentor's enemy now?" Seward frowned and said.

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

"Only by serving the best 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 the Americas 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 member of Congress, Lincoln lost many old customers. He needed a stable job to support his family, and he no longer wanted to accept those small items that cost $5 to $10 a piece.

In his view, these small projects were of no help to him other than a waste of his time and energy. He now has the ability to take on the big projects.

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 feathers 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 thinking of old diehards like Calhoun, but also the thinking of most people in the Whig Party.

The Whig Party did not have its own clear political ideas and goals. This was the reason why Lincoln was so disappointed with the Whig Party and his colleagues.

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.

The 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 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. Compromise The law 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 black curly 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. His family was well-off, he received a good education, and his manners were elegant, which made Speed ​​a handsome man. Became the object of the Kentucky girl's affection.

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 very 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 a shabby 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 contracts from the Americas Group. If you work alone, it is not easy to compete 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 bonus. The Americas 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 big 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 can't do it alone."

Having said this, Speed ​​paused and continued.

"I think you forgot someone."

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