Lincoln spent much time in the southern part of the state, known as “Egypt,” chief stronghold of the Democratic Party. Lincoln’s speaking style, accent, and folksy approach to politics seemed more suitable to this area than to the northern part of the state. He canvassed Egypt most intensively after the August elections, in which the Democrats won the legislature and two of the state’s three congressional seats. He was joined by his friend Edward D. Baker, former governor Joseph Duncan, and Alexander P. Field, the fiercely partisan Illinois secretary of state, a “tall, perfectly formed” man “with erect, soldierly bearing, and the polished manners of a born courtier” whose “otherwise handsome features were marred by a nodular, potato-like nose.” Field told a friend that the Whigs “lost the legislature in consequence of the Great Majorities against us in the southern part of the State. That part of the State has not been properly attended to or their Majorities certainly would have been greatly reduced. Baker (Ed) Lincoln Gov Duncan & myself are going to spend all our time in the Southern Counties discuss[ing] the principles of our party in every neighborhood: and challenge these men [Democratic leaders] to a fair discussion of this administration[,] organize our friends, [and] circulate documents amongst them.” The Democratic press sarcastically remarked, “Missionaries Field and Lincoln have again been sent forth … by the ‘Junto’ of Springfield, to make a last effort in bringing the ignorant and heathenish Democrats of Illinois from out of their blinded and self-destructive errors and threaten them with the anathema of the Holy Federal Church if they do not open their eyes.”
Source: Abraham Lincoln ∶ A Life ▫𓂃