Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-04-08
LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS.

In speech made by Mr.. Arnold, of Illinois,
a few days since in the House, that gentleman
describes the famous contest between Lincoln
and Douglas as follows:
The contest between Lincoln and Douglas, in
1856, was one of the most remarkable in Amer
lean history. They were the acknowledged
leaders, each of his party. Both men of great and
marked individuality of character. The prize
was the Senatorship of ths great State ofIlInois,
and the success of the Republican or Democrat
ic party. Douglas had the additional stimulant
of the Presidency in view. These two trained
leaders met at designated places, and, in the
presence of immense crowds of people, debated
the great question at issue.
Douglas went through his campaign like a
conouering hero. He had his special train of
cars, his band of music, his body guard of devo-
ted friends, a cannon carried on the train, the
firing of which announced his approach to the
place of meeting. Such canvass involved,
necessarily, very large expenditures, and it has
been said that Douglas did not expend less than
S50000 in this canvass. Some idea Ofthe plain,
simple frugal habits of Mr.. Lincoln may be
gathered, when tell you that at its close, hav
ing occupied several months. Mr.. Lincoln said +,
with the idea apparently that he had been some
what extravagant, 81 do not believe have spent
a cent less than $500 in this canvass"
Senator Douglas was at that time the leading
debater in the United States Senate. He had
been accustomed to meet for years in Congress
the trained leaders of the nation and never eth
er in single combat or taking the fire of a whole
party, had he been discounted. He was bold,
defiant, confident, aggressive; fertile in resour-
ces, terrible in denunciation, familiar with po-
litical history practised in all controversial dis
cussion, of indomitable physical and moral cour-
age, and unquestionably the most formidable
man in the nation on the stump The friends
of Mr.. Lincoln were not without misgivings
when the challenge was accepted for campaign
with Douglas, on the stump.
MIR. Lincoln was COOL candid truthful, logi-
cal, never betrayed into an unfair statement;-
and it was wonderful how, in these discussions
as in every other act of his public life, he has
impressed the people with his honesty and fair
ness Every hearer of these debates went away
with the conviction, whatever his political
views, Lincoln believes what he says, he is
candid, and he would not msstate fact, or take
an unfair advantage to secure triumph. He
had one advantage over Douglas. He was al
ways good humOred. He had always his apt
story for illustration, and while Douglas was
sometimes irritable and would lose his temper,
Lincoln never lost his.
Douglas carried away the most popular ap-
plause, but Lincoln made the deeper and more
lasting impression. Douglas did not disdain an
immediate triumph, while Lincoln looked to
permanent conviction. Douglas addressed the
feelings and preIudices with apower and adroit-
ness never surpassed. Lincoln stated his prop
Osltlons and proved their truth with irresistible
logic. Douglas carried the majority ofthe Leg
islature of Illinois, but Lincoln had the maiori-
ty of the popular vote. Douglas secured the
Senatorship, but Lincoln gained the Presidency
The wonderful endurance of these men, both of
iron constitutions, was strikingly manifest dur
ing this contest. Butat its close, Douglas could
not articulate clearly for some weeks, vile Lin
coins voice was clearer, stronger, and he him.
self was in better health at the end than he was
at the beginning of the contest.
The friends of each of these great leaders
claimed the victory All must admit that each
met in his antagonist a foeman worthy of his
steel.