Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-05-23

~ each place. anu chCh huuteoeinB ioiko
audiences at great length, sometimes four
hours together. Mr.. Lincoln, IN these
elaborate speeches, evinced thorough
mastery Of the principles Of political
economy W hich underlie the tariff question,
and presented arguments in favor of the
protective policy with power and con-
ciusiveness rarely equaled, aud at the same
time in a manner so lucid and familiar
and SO we'll interpreted with happy illus
tratiops and opposite anecdotes, as to es-
tablisb reputation which be has never
since failed to maintain as the ablest leader
in the Wing aud Republican ranks in the
great West.
In 1876 he was elected to Congress, and
served out his term. aud would have been
re elected had he not declined to be can
didate. He steadily and earnestly opposed
the annexation Of Texas. and labored with
all his powers in behalf OF the Wilmot
Proviso. In the National Convention Of
Is4s, OF which he was member. ho ad e
vocated the nomination Of General
Taylor. aud sustained the nomination by
an active canvass in Illinois and In.
diana.
From is49 TO 1854 Mr.. Lincoln was en-.
gagged a.siduously Ia the practice Of his
profession, aud being deeply immersed 10
business, was beginning 10 lose his inter.
est in politics, when the scheming ambi.
ton aud groveling seldshness Of m UNI
scrupulous aspirant To the Presidency
brought about the repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise. That act Of bssencss aud
per6dy aroused the sleeping lion. and he
psepafed for new efforts. He threw him
self al ence into the contest that follow ed
aud fought the battle Of freedom on the
ground Of his former conflicts In Illinois
with more than his accustomed energy aud
zeal. Those who r,eollect the tremendous
battle fought In Illinois that year. will
TO Abraham Lincoln FULLY three.fourths 81
the ability and unwearing labor which ~
suited 10 the mighty victory which gave
Illinois her first Republican Legislature
and placed Lyman Trumbull Ia the Senate
ofthe United States. The first and great
est debate OF that year came OF between
Lincoln aud Douglas Mt Springfield. during
the progress OF the State Fair. 10 October
We remember the event ~ wildly q,
though 1, transpired yesterday. and Ia
view Of The prominence now given 10 'h'
chief actor In that exciting event. IL canno
fail to be Interesting To oil.
The affair came oil on The fourth day o.
October. 1854. The State Fair had beer
In progress two days, and the capital wa
full Of all manner Of men. The Nebraska
bill had been passed on the previou
twenty second Of May. Mr., Douglas ha,
returned to Illinois To meet an Outraged
constituency. He had made frsgmentar,
speech in Chicago. the people filling VI
each hiatus la a peculiar and good humor
cd way, He called the people a mob-the.
called him rowdy. The " mob" had th
best Of II. both then aud At the election
which succee ded The nolorIety Of al
these events had stirred up the politics O
the State from bottom 10 top. Hundred
Of politicians had met at Springfield ex
pecting tournament Of an unusual cbarac
ter-Douglas, Breese, Koerner, Lincoln
Trumbull, Matteson, Yates. Codding. job,
Calhoun, (of the order Of the Candle Box
John NJ. Palmer, the whole house Of th
Mcconneiis. Singleton. (known to fam
10 the Mormon War; Thos. L. Harris, an,
host Of others. Several speeches wer
made before, aud several after, the passag
between Lincoln and Douglas, but tia
was justly held TO be The event Of tn
season.
We do not remember whether u chal
lenge to debate passed between tn
friends Of the speakers or not but there wa
perfectly amicable understanding be
tween Lincoln and Doug las, that the forme
should speak two or three hours aud IN
latter reply 10 just Ms little or as niue
time ms he chose. Mr.. Lincoln took Oh
stand at two o'olock--a large crowd 10 a,
tendance. aud Mr.. Douglas seated on
small platform In front OF tho desk. III
fret half hour Of Mr. Linooln's speech v n
taken up with compliments 10 his distir
guisbed friend Judge Douglas, and dry al
lusions 10 the political events Of the pas
few years, His distinguished friend Judg
Douglas had taken his seat, a. solemn a
the Cock Lane ghost. evidently with III
design 81 not moving muscle I'LL II cam
his turn 10 speak. The laughter provoke
by Lineolns exordium, however. soon b,
gan 10 make him uneasy and when Mr..
arrived at his tDoueias) speech pronoun,
Ing the Missouri Compromise "a saere
thing viii no ruthless hand would eve
be reckless enough 10 disturb" he opene
his lips far enough 10 remark. - first
rate speech II This was the beginning ,
an amusing colloquy.
eyes." continued Lincoln, $50 affection
ate was my friends regard for this eompro
mise lins, that when Texas was admlue
Into the Union. and II was found that
strip extended north Of 10 deg. 30 min h
actually introduced bill extending III
line prohibiting slavery 10 the noriher
edge NJ the new State
"And you voted against the BILL" sal
Douglas.
"Prseisely So" replied Lincoln. IL wa
in favor Of running the line great dee
furih0 South"
About this time the speaker con tinued
my distinguished friend introduced m
10 n particular friend Of his. one Dayi
wilmot' OF Pennsylvania." Laughter
Il thought" said Douglas. you woul
find him congenial company"
$50 did" replied Lincoln. 81 had tn
pleasure Of voting for bis proviso. in on
way aud another about forty times. ]
was Democratic measure then. l believ,
| Al any rate Gen Csss scolded Honest Joh