New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-21
VALUABLE WITNESS.

Tn fine memorable contest in Illinois between
Lincoln and Douglas, in the Summer OF 1898, MI.
Douoas in one of his speeches, thus alluded to his
opponent: w.
had many points Of sympathy when hrst gotacqanea
with him. We were both comparatively boys; DOM
Struggling with poverty in strange town Tor our sup
nori@I an humble chool teacher In the town OF WIN
chester, and he fourshng grocery keeper IN tng
town OF Salem [Iaughter.l He was more successful
tIso and hence became more fortunate in this world
goods. Mr. Lincoln s one Of those peculiar men that
fos performed with admirable skill in every occupation
be ever attempted. .,,oo,..s,,, -
bs bnsiness than for bis business soon carried him
directly into the Legislature There l met him IN a
little time and had sympathy for him. because oil
the NJ hill struggle We had III liie
Mr. Lincoln served with me- or with INN, IN the
Legislature of 1896 when parted. He subaded or
submerged for some years, and lost sight of him. In
1876 hen Wilmot raised the lorhauo,
Mr.. Lincoln again turned up as member OF Congress
from Sangamon District. L. being ID tue oeIsre ., .ne
United States, WIS called on to welcome hlm, then
witEout friend or companion. lie then distinguished
himself by bis OF position to the Mexican war, taking
the side of the common enemy III time OF war, against
his owp country. Cheers and groansI When ne
rturned home from that Congress- he found that the
Indignation of the people followed him everywhere,
until he again retired to private life, and was SUB
merged until he again forgotten by hi, friends
He came up again in 1874 in time to make tine ADoloh'
Black Republican platform
In the new occupation" of running for the
Presidency, in which they are beth about to en-
gage. it is more than probable that Mr. Douglas
will still find that bis old competitor is more sue
cessu than be, and he will have, in the course of
the next four years, frequent occasions for again
hearing witness thst Mr.. Lincoln sis one OF those
" neculiar men that has performed with admira-
I" Bile skT in every occupation he ever attempted
An opponent of the war with Mexico, condemned
AZ unjust and unnecessary by all the distinguished
Wbip Statesmen of that day, an advocate of the
Wilmot Proyso, and builder of the original Re
publican platform, his course deserves to receive
the appreciation of the people 10 q contest
with apy other candidate for their suffrages,
whether it be one who is the advocate of the extern
sion of Slavery, pure and simple, or one who is
ready TO welcome it as the result OF Squatter SOser-
eighty. Circumstances have brous hit about more
directly personal conflict between Mr.. Lincoln and
Mr. Douglas than probably ever occurred between
any two public men in this country, and there il
hardly toubt that that contest will be continued
in wider arena The testimony which the latter
bears to the ability and integrity OF his rival has
a peculiar value, both when he praises and when
lie blames; for his prSise is on point OF character
which, all men agree is admirable and his blame
is on q point of conduct foe which Mr.. Lincoln's
friends hold him in special esteem.