Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-09-06
From The Cincinnati Commercial.


coin AT FREEPORT.-A large portion of the
space in the news columns of this paper, this
morning is devoted to the debate which took
place at Freeport, H., on Friday last between
Senator Douglas and would he Senator Lin
coln--'DUG, the Little Giant and OLD ABE
Though we devote much space to the
speeches of the respective champions upon this
occasion, we give but small portion of the
reports that fill the leading papers at Chicago.
\, The Times Douglass home organ, and the
Press and Tribune, the Lincoln organ, each
devote about ten columns to the debate and
the reports seem to be admirably full and
fair. In the quotations that We make, en-
deavoring to give the Interesting pertinent
and strong points on both sides, we give each
side the benefit of the report of its own organ
clipping Lincoln's remarks from the Press
and Tribune, and Douglass remarks from the
Times. Both champions upon this occasion
exhibited extraordinary power and candor.
In the whole history of the American stump,
we do not recollect that there is a record Of
discussson so searching aud comprehensive,
SO thorough in its analysis OF issues, so absor-
bling in its scope, as this at Freeport. The
country owes thanks to the Chicago papers
for reporting ii SO well. At Ottawa, Douglas
opened aud closed, speaking an hour in open
ing and half an hour in closing, Lincoln
cupying the middle place a speech of an
hour and a half At Freeport the order of
exercise was reversed, Lincoln opening and
closing, and his adversary firing his broad
sides full in the center. The half hours re-
ioinder OF Douglas at Ottawa was very formi-
dable He pressed Lincoln to the wall for di-
rect and distinct answers To several interrog-
atories ingenously aimed at points, the "rug
ged issues of which "Abe" seemed willing to
sevade. Now, "Old Abe" opened at Freeport
by answering those heterogeneous formally
aud fully and simplifying his answers with
method and clearness ut once careful and bold.
Having stated his own position, trotted out
his principles, in the classic language OF Doug
las, given down his milk, y he gave his ad-
versary series of hard questions, ransacked
his (D.'s) record for antecedents ut variance
with his present position, furnished up the
conspiracy" which he had before charged
upon Douglas, and showed how Dug had
likewise charged that conspiracy was in ex-
istence to deprive the States OF their rights,
and his time expiring, closed.
Douglas, in replying. made perhaps the
most able effort OF his life. He is distinguish
ed as n debater, aud those qualities that have
won that distinction were never more strik-
ingly manifest. lie never before 20 unequi-
yocally laid down his principles. nor Ia their
behalf exhibited to greater advantage his bril-
liant powers Nor did he ever before appeal
with more skill to the prejudices OF the white
people against the African race, 10 the politi-
cal selfrighteousness OF American citizens,
or TO the love of Conquest and Dominion the
passion for the extension II Territory aud
National aud sclf-aggrandizement of which
the Anglo-Saxon blood is so iull. And Lin
coins halt hour speech in reply was a perfect
tonsdhaioker-with the exception Of few oi
those stumbling aud hesilating phrases that
mark and mar his efforts, the very uest thing
that could have been done in that time and
place. Douglas was triumphant In tearing TO
pieces the Republican Platforms adopted at
various times ia Illinois, using Lincola, and
other leaders OF the party, Instruments in
his work of demolition. Lincoln gained
great advantage by quoting from Douglas
Speech in the Senate, attacking the Washing
ton Union for advancing the doctrine, that IL
WAS not according 10 tn; Consultation Of the
United States, for any State to exclude Slav-
ery. Douglas treats the Administration with
outward respect, bat that he Is inwardiy Bit
ter aud hostile 10 Mr.. buchanan, Is apparent
and patent. Lincoln found the weak place
In his disguise, and coolly pierced him Ia the
ouick. Douglas did this time screw out Of
Lincoln, ms be said NJ Ottawa that he would,
his opinion on the ColstituIionaiify OF the
dogma behind the cry of mo more Slave
States.n Lincoln said that there might b.
circumstances under which he would vote for
the admission into the Union Of a Slave State
but he would be sorry. II tcst case should
arisr, insolsing the necessity OF such vote.
This declaration, says the Times, dismaycd