The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1873-02-22
DOUGLAS AND LINCOLN.

We are glad to learn that Il PROPOSE
ton Is ON foot in Illinois legislative cir
clcs to purchase of Mr.. II. Z. Goodell
tho marble stature Of Senator Douglas,
lately rescued from the contlagration
which destroyed tho mansion Of ex-
Governor Mattcson at Springfield.
This statue, as we have" heretofore
taken occasion to remark, is the best
representation cXtant of the great states
man whose name and fame it COM
nemorates. It should belong to tho
State tor which he labored so hard and
accomplished so omuch-the State whose
history is indissolubly blended with his
own.
1t is also proposed to give Mr.. Lar
kin q. Mead a commission to prepare
II statute similar in size OF Lincoln, and
place both in the rotunda OF the new
State House. This partnership i'll pop
ular remembrance so to speak, is pc
cnliarly appropriate, not only because
Douglas and Lincoln have contributed
more to tho rcnown Of Illinois than
any Of thcir follow w-citiZcns, but because
they were strong personal friends, and
never allowed political differences to
destroy their mutual respect and cs-
tccm. 1t may not be generally known
that long before Lincoln had been heard
Of outside of Illinois, Douglas under
stood the native powers Of the man and
estimated them at their proper value.
When Lincoln was selected In 1858 to
take part in the joint debate with Doug
las, 0number Of the friends of tho latter
congratulated him upon having such
IN easy task. "Gentlemcn,' said
Douglas, 81 know Mr.. Lincoln better
| than you do, and shall have no easy
task. had rather meet any man in
the country on this question at this
timo than Abraham Lincoln.''
Those who witnessed Lincoln's first
inauguration will not soon forget one
little scene which then transpircd.
| The President elect came forward upon
| the platform Of the Capitol, with his
| natural nWl>wardness Increased by the
! mOmcntcOuS circum3 tanccs Of the Occa-
| sion, and by Il gorgeous wardrobe, in
| which it was evident he felt exceeding
/ 1y uncomfortable.
| The stiff dress coat, vest and palta-
| looms Of black broadcIoth we're enough,
| OF themselves to disturb his mental and
| physical eqUanilnity, but to those were
added other membranes in the shape
Of Il brand new silk hat and q ponder
| GUS gold-hcaded cane. Tho cane he
managed to put away in ~ corner, but
the disposition of the hat perp1eXcC
him greatly. It was too good to throw
away, too nice, as he thought, to resi-
upon the rough boards, so, for Il minute
at least, poor Lincoln stood there il
tho gaze Of assembled thousands, grasp
ing tho hat desperately and seeking il
vain for Il safe place to deposit it. Doug
las, who sat Immediately in tho rear
saw the embarrassment of his rival
and rising, took the shining beavc
from its sorely bothered owner ano
held it during the delivery Of the in
nugura1 address. 1t is doubtful whcthc
five years before, Stephen a. Doug1a
over dreamed that he was destined t,
hold the hat ofIAbraha1n Lincoln whil
that individual was appearing for tn
first time as PRECEDENT OF tho Unitcs
States.
Had Douglas lived, it is highly prob
able he would have been the trustee
counselor of the now President, and i,
that capacity had much to do wit
shaping public policy in those awn1
years Of fratcrnn1 war. Tho two friend
arc dead now, but their works liv
after them. Let their statutes stan
on tho soil of the State they loved 5
wcli.-hfissou,i R'pud1icru,.