Lincoln made several speeches in our county. In the Fall of 1856, he spoke from the court house in Urbana, upon the constitutionality of the action of Congress with regard to slavery in the territory. The county paper of the time speaks highly of the effort of its power and logic, and of the speaker’s ability. At one time he spoke in what is known as the goose-pond church, a little building near the Doane House. During his speech, he had occasion to read from some paper which he had in his posession. His eyesight was beginning to fail him; and it was with great difficulties that he could see to read. He held the paper off at arm’s length, and then drew it to him, moving it back and forth. Finally some one back in the crowd yelled out: “Put on your specks.” “Ah,” said Lincoln reaching out his long bony arm, far as he could, “My eyes are all right, but my arm is too short.” The most important speech that Mr. Lincoln ever made here, was upon Sept. 24, 1858, in the old fair ground. Douglas was here, and spoke upon the 23rd. Lincoln’s speech was made in reply to the one he gave. Mr. Lincoln arrived, and was received at the Doane House platform, on the afternoon of the 23rd. It was in regard to the occasion that a characteristic letter was written to Mr. Cunningham, who had invited Mr. Lincoln to speak here. The letter was written from Ottawa. “I crossed swords,” it read “here today with Douglas, for the first time. The fire flew some, but I am happy to say that I am still alive.” In the evening, after his arrival, Lincoln was the guest of the Champaign (then West Urbana) Republican club. The night was passed at Mr. Baddely’s, the large brick building across the street from the Episcopal church. Until a late hour, the house and yard were filled with citizens. Speeches were made and music had in abundance. On the 24th, at 10 o’clock, the procession formed at the park to march to Urbana. It was the finest procession Champaign has ever witnessed. The deep interest taken in the occasion is made more apparent, when we remember that the time of the year was the worst possible for the getting together of a crowd; that the county fair had just closed, having filled three days with excitement, that there was scarcely a family in the county, in which there was not some sickness; and that Douglas had drained the country the day before. The crowd was immense. “The procession, led by the Urbana Brass Band, German Band and Danville Band, over sixty young ladies on horse-back, with their attendants, thirty-two of whom represented the states of the Union,” was over two miles in length. All proceeded to the old fair ground, where a basket picnic was held. “Have the dinner first,” said Lincoln to the officer of the day: “Folks will listen to me better for it.” The table at which Lincoln sat was well loaded; and the best of the luxuries were placed around his plate. He, however, chose out a turkey leg and biscuit and began to make his meal upon these.