Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1867-11-29
A Contrast.

/ Fred. Douglas lectuT6Q N Springfield
Ohio, Monday evening, last week, and
Vallandigham spoke his piece at a
Copperhead jubjlation in the same city
on Tuesday. A correspondent of the
/ Commercial compares the two speakers
as follows:
Tt is, perhaps, not as clearly admiss-
ible to contrast the audiences Of the two
as the speakers, though the contrast
was scarcely less striking; but it is
proper to say, because it is true, that
the audience of Fred. Douglas, at the
CITY Hall, was as large as the room
could accommodate, and was largely
composed of the best class of citizens of
ng6eld-thinking men and women,
whom it would be an honor for any
speaker to address.
To one Of the Anglo Saxon blood, who
heard Douglas at the Citv Hall Monday
evening, and Vallandigham at the same
place on yesterday afternoon, there was
a contrast in the manner Of the men
and the themes treated of, and treat
ment not at all hattering to the listen
er's race. With the modesty of true
talent, the representative of the negro
entered upon the topic of discussion
without personal aJIusion to himself
evidently most intent upon interesting
bis hearers in the study Of his subject.
The proud descendant Of the old Vir-
ginia stock of the Vals., on the contra
~, began, proceeded, and ended with
himself as the principal object of pro-
found contemplation.
With a cathoIicitY of feeling astonish-
ing in view of his personal history,
Douglas said: Measure all men by
the same standard, without regard to
race or condition." With an ehrontery
@ ut .s5tlld lI1ZS been equally astonisn-
ing If he aese net uaade If so common
Vallandigham announced in the name
of Democracy determined project for
the perpetual degradation of an entire
race.
With clear and scholarly precision of
language and eloquence Of utterance.
Douglas held up to his hearers, as
chosen model, Fthe self made man" of
whatever race, who wins his position
by woFk-persisten industry, and sim
gleness of high resolve. Yallandigham
declained with empty rhetoric against
the policy of admitting another race to
competition, IN this democratic country,
with the dominant race, and illustrated
his logic by advocating a monopoly of
power in the hands of the whites in
Ohio, where the blacks are in the min
ority, and in South Carolina, where the
blacks are in the majority.
Still more observable was the con-
trast in diction, That the negro was
dignifed, scholarly and respectful that
of the champion Of the Caucasian was
declamatOry, vulgar, and showed only
the trickery Of the demagogue.
In the logical presentation of his facts
and arguments, the speaker Of Monday
evening so much surpassed his success
or of Tuesday as to leave them wide
apart for successful contrast. The one
captivated his hearers with a noble
theme, and instructed them with prac-
tical thought and valuable suggestion
the other only vaunted himself with af-
nj h GnIF IN
prominently in the foreground of his
own discussions as to leave little room
to observe in them aught else. In the
witty presentation of thought, the SUI
peTiority of Douglas was as marked as
the inferiority of Vallandigham the
unaffected flow of sparkling witticisms
discernible all through the speech Of
the former, were only more sparkling
when cOntrasted with the heavy and
unwarrautable surges Of the latter when
he would be witty. Indeed, Nallandig-
ham always seems to assume that he
has clear chance for being thought
witty, because OF a dictum Of the critics
that wits are generally lacking in judg
ment. He should be reminded that not
all who lack judgment are witty, fact
of which he himself is a supreme illus
tratiOn. Were Douglas and Vallandig-
ham rival candidates for honors to be
awarded to intellectual ability, and sa-
gacitY or patriotism, it Wonld- be rislzing
everything for the latter to refer the
decision to unprejudieed judges. Here
after, when his friends are so frantical-
Iy solicitou5 for his presence in their
assemblages, as he to-day repeatedly
informed them that they were, he
should he careful to inquire whether
they intend he shall follow Fred. Doug
las, and be made the inferior of the ne
gro. Hereafter, he should advertise his
friends that he viii not submit to such
negro equality as being called upon to
speak from a rostrum where Fred.
Douglas has preceded him by but few
hours, and where he may have to take
the chances of comparison by auditors
who determine to hear both.
In closing this important comparison
of two who are regarded as ''represen-
tatiVe men," it should be added that in
lofty and fervent appeal, of impassiOn-
ed elOquence, Fred. Douglas is as much
superior to the forced gesticulation and
frantic utterances of Vallandigham,
when, in his happiest moods, he stretch
es out to view that long line Of white
glistening ivories of which he appears
so proud, as he is in all that is scholarly
in diction, thoughtful In discussion,
and witty in presentation.