When Lincoln was a candidate for the legislature, it was the practice at that date in Illinois for two rival candidates to travel over the district together.
On one occasion Lincoln had driven out from Springfield in company with a political opponent to engage in joint debate. The carriage belonged to his opponent. In addressing the gathering of farmers that met them, Lincoln, an honest man with generous impulses, was lavish in praise of his friend's generosity.
"I am too poor to own a carriage," he said, "but my friend has generously invited me to ride with him. I want you to vote for me if you will but if not then vote for my opponent, for he is a fine man." His persistent praise of his opponent appealed to the sense of humour in his audience, and he was finally elected.
林肯曾競逐州議會議席。當時，伊利諾州有一慣例，要兩名相競的候選人一起走訪各地。
有一次，林肯和一名候選的政敵一起，乘馬車從斯普林菲爾德出發，去參與聯合辯論。那馬車是其政敵所有。林肯為人誠懇大度，對前來聽辯論的農人致詞時，盛稱他的對手慷慨。
他說：「我買不起一輛馬車，但是，這位朋友慨然邀我同行。各位投我一票當然最好，否則就請投給我這位朋友。他是個好人。」林肯不斷稱許其政敵，聽眾感到十分風趣。他終於當選。