Lincoln Discussion Symposium

Mary's father Robert Smith Todd ?

Nope, it's not Robert Smith Todd.

Hint #1: The man once ran for President.

Henry Clay?

Nope, not Clay.

Hint #2: The man was a religious leader.

I know Mormon leader Joseph Smith was in Illinois at this time. Is he the person referred to in the article?

Excellent, Anita! Indeed it was Joseph Smith, the Mormon leader. As far as I know, there is no evidence Smith and Abraham Lincoln ever met.

Stephen Douglas defended Smith in a court case. Smith later predicted that Douglas would run for President but lose if he ever hurt the Latter Day Saints. (Wikipedia)

Before he became President, who was Lincoln referring to when he wrote "_____________ has just concluded the very best speech, of an hour's length, I have ever heard"

Edward Everett?

Good guess, but that is not the answer we are looking for.
Stay tuned for future clues.

Lincoln also wrote this about the speech and speaker, "My old, withered, dry eyes are full of tears yet"

not much of a clue is it?

Thaddeus Stevens?

Not him.
Tune in tomorrow for the next exciting clue.

I discovered my previous post contains a slight error, depending on your point of view.
I wrote your next clue would come tomorrow, but now it's already today, and here is your next clue.

Lincoln heard this speech in 1848 and wrote to William Herndon about it.