The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-10-10
Douglas and Lincoln-An FL
egant Contrast.

Hon. David L. Seymour, Of New York, who
was a member of Congress with both Mr.
Douglas and Mr.. Lincoln, in speech deliv-
cred at Rochester, made the following elegant
comparison between them. He said:
'The contest was between Douglas and Lin
coin. Which should we choose! He was not
here to attack an opposing candidate, but sup
posed that man ought to have some standing
as statesman to qualify him to take the helm
of State. The opinions and actions of our Gov
ernment were closely watched abroad. Our
relations with the world were such that it had
become the fixed opinion of the masses of our
country that no man was fit for the Presiden-
cy, unless he is man of tried experience and
able craftsmanship. Mr.. Lincoln served one
term in Congress, but in no manner or meas
ure there distinguished himself. For anything
in his favor we search the Congressional re-
cords in vain. ..-..s s.,,Es .-tn
"0n the other hand, the Democratic party,
feeling the weight of the responsibility resting
upon it, and with a readiness to meet it-have
given candidate, whose name no American
can speak but with pride-Stephen A. Doug.
las! loud and long applause.]
Twenty years ago elected to the Supreme
Bench in Illinois; seventeen years ago mem
ber of Congress, he went into the House to
meet Dromgole, Wise, Ingersoll. Winthrop, Bar
dHu d hOSG VI OtuSI dDl0 ucu-d SAtd6y
of statesmen of all parties. Not month
elapsed before the young representative of the
West made his maiden speech. The speaker
heard it, 1t took the House by surprise, and
at once placed the man in the first rank OF
able debaters. That speech was on a resolu-
ton to refund 20 General Jackson fire i'm
posed upon him for taking measures to defend
New Orleans against the British in 1915. 1t
drew from the shades of the eHermitage-from
the dying hero-a response of thanks to the
young Democrat of the West, who had come
up to vindcate his honor and restore to him
his due. From that day Douglas continued to
advance, and his progression has continued till
now he stands like the sun at midday, in full
orb, admitted to hold the position that he is
entitled to. His efforts to sustain our country
and party in the Mexican War need not be
recounted, or the part he took in the Senate
debate on the Compromise measures of 1850
or the support he gave the Kansas aud Nebras-
ka Bill in 1854, nor to his later defense OF
Popular Sovereignty under adverse circum-
stances. They are written in the great history
of the country, to be read forever. Our peo-
pie look upon Douglas like other men, and
seize upon his career, and draw it home to theiI
hearts as part of themselves. Wherever
our candidate goes, he is taken by the hand
and the people cling to him as q brother-feel
that his reputation is theirs. The American
seamen who first carried up the Thames te
London the flag of this country, felt that sort
of pride when he raised the stars and stripes
at his masthead. When hailed by the British
sentinel, and asked what flag he carried: the
Yankee replied, The flag of Bunker Hill, and
of the land of Washington Tremendous
cheering.] Not a man who has the heart of al
American citizen--no matter to what party h,
| demonstrating on our own or foreign soil
and asked who is the candidate that fills thu
hearts of our people--but would respond
Stephen A. Douglasl [Deaf.ning cheers, lons
continued There he is, the experienced de
| batter, the able statesman. the self made man
the incorruptible patriot 1t is left in tn,
| hands of the people to write his name on tina
scroll of the Democratic Presidents which
stands at the head of this Republio!''