Chapters 5-6 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 5 is entitled "Lone Star of Illinois" and refers to Lincoln's term as the sole Whig in the Illinois delegation to Congress in 1847. While the Whigs have a slight majority in the House of Representatives, the President, James Polk, is a Democrat and so their power is limited. Lincoln works hard within his party and is instrumental in the campaign to elect Zachary Taylor as President.

As Representative, Lincoln speaks out against the origins of the Mexican War, criticizing Polk for what he suggested was an unlawful declaration of war. This position would come back to haunt him in the future, Donald writes. The choice of Taylor as a Whig candidate is made partly to undo the damage from the Whig position on the war, as Taylor is a celebrated veteran of that campaign.

In Illinois, as elsewhere, Lincoln...