Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-09-03
DOUGLAS AND LINCOLN ON TIE
STU MP.

The first Of the seven public debates be-
tween Mossrs Douglas and Lincoln of Illinois
took place, few days since, at Ottawa, in
presence Of an immense assembly, estimated
at twelve thousand. Great interest was OK
hibited by the multitude, and the champions
were loudly cheered aud applauded by their
respective friends. Mr.. Douglas spoke first
for an hour then Mr.. Lincoln for an hour
and-a-hulf; and fnally Mr., Douglas for half
an hour in closing. The whole debate is
reported in tull in the Chicago papers, but
is of course too voluminous for our space. Di-
yesting ourselves as completely as possible Of
personal prejudice, as between the two, it
seems to us that Mr.. Lincoln had altogether
the advantage Of his opponent. With hard
facts and sound arguments he met the adroit
sopListries Of the little giant, and discounted
him utterly. 1t was all done, too with a court
osy and good humor,-tho good humor Of
conscious strength-which is in striking con-
trast with the arrogant assertions and at
times coarse language Of Mr.. Douglas whose
harangue was embellished with such low
phrases as Il am going to bring him to his
milk" II shall tr0t him down to Egypt"
&C. Mr.. Douglas greatest mistake,
however, was in having recourse to an arti-
fee which Mr.. Lincoln was not prepared to
unmask upon the spot, but which he will
he able to use against Douglas in their future
debates, with crushing effect. The facts are
stated as follows by the Chicago Press and
Tribune
"At the meeting in Ottawa, ON Saturday, the
Senator read series Of radical resolutions, which
lie assured his hearers were passed by Republic
can State Convention in 1854, at Springfield; that
they constituted the platform Of the party that
day, and that they represented the views Of hi,
listing lished competitor, who, he said, took part
in Il e proceedings Of which the resulu lions were
n stars. The resolutions fraWis aad foyycues
rom first 10 last. No such series present.
cd 10, hence never adopted by, any State Kepub-
lican Convention in Illinois aud in making the
assertion Mr.. Douglns knew that he bascy, mali
cously and wilfully LIED. lie not only lied cir
cumstantially and wickedly, but he spent the first
art of his speech in celebrating tle lie with
which he set out and the entire latter part in
giving the lie application and effect. IAe Ioso-
lutiOns which he read were adopted by Ono-horse
meeting at Aurora, in Kane county, with which
Mr.. Lincoln had nothing to do, which he was not
near, which he possibly never heard Of except
through the public prints"
That Mr., Douglas could be 50 insane, for
the sake of temporary advantage, as to
place in the hands of his opponent such a
weapon as the exposure Of this trick will
make, seems incredible But the Chicago
Times, Mr., Douglas organ, owns the sub
stantal truth of the charge, by confessing
that the resolutions were not what Mr.
Douglas represented them to be. 1t repre-
sents it as a mistake on the part of Senator
Douglas if so it was one of those blunders
which, as Talleyrand said are worse than
crimes,
Our readers will be Interested in the fol-
lowing sketch from the special correspond
enco of the ~ Y. Evening Post, of the rival
candidates, on whom the eyes Of the country
are destined to be fixed for some time TO
come
Two men presenting widor contracts could hard,