The Princeton union., 1881-03-31
Lincoln and Douglas.

lne CWO most prominent men IN LID
nols at that time were Douglas and Lin
coin. Each was in the full maturity ol
his powers, Douglas being As and Lin
coin 49 years old. Douglas had fol
years been trained on the stump, in the
lower house of Congress and in the Sen.
ate to meet in debate the ablest speak
ers in the State and nation. For years
he had been accustomed, on the floor of
the Capitol, to encounter the leaders of
the old Whig and Free Soil parties.
Among them were Seward and Fessen-
den, and Crittenden and Chase, and
Trumbull and Hale and Sumner, and
others equally eminent, and his enthu-
siastic friends insisted that never, either
in single conflict or when receiving the
assault Of whole party, had he been
discounted. His style was bold, vigor-
GUS and aggressive, and at times defiant.
He was ready, fertile in resources, IA
miliar with political history, terrible in
denunciation, and handled with skill all
the weapons Of debate. His iron will,
restless energy, united with great per-
sonal magnetism, made him very popu-
lar; and, with these qualities, he had
indomitable physical and moral courage,
and his almost uniform success had Civ
en- him perfect confidence in himself.
Lincoln was also thoroughly-tr trained
speaker. He had contended, success
fully, year after year, at the bar and on
the stump, with the ablest men of ILL
nois, including Lamborn, Logan, John
Calhoun and others, and often met
Douglas himself-a conflict with whom
he always rather courted than summed
Indeed, these two great orators had
often tested each others power, and,
whenever they did meet, it was indeed
"Greek meeting Creek" and the "tug
of war" came, for each put forth his ut
most strength. i.
Such were the champions who, in
1858, were to discuss before the voters
of Illinois, and with the whole nation as
spectators, the political questions then
pending, and especially the vital ques-
tions relating to slavery. It was not a
single combat, but extended through
the whole campaign, and the American
peoplepaused to watch its progress, and
hung, with intense interest, upon every
movement of the champions. Each of
these great men, I doubt not, at that
time, sincerely believed he was right.
Douglas ardor, while in such conflict,
would make him think, for the time be-
ing, he was right, and know that Lin
coin argued for freedom against the ex-
tension of slavery with the most pro-
found conviction that on success hung
the fate of his country. Lincoln had
two advantages over Douglas he had
the best side Of the question and the
best temper. He was always good hu-
mored, always had an apt story for illus
tration while Douglas sometimes, when
bard pressed, was irritable
Douglas carried away the most popu-
hr applause, but Lincoln made the
deeper and more lasting impression.
Douglas did not disdain an Immediate
and captandum triumph, while Lincoln
uimed at permanent convictions. Some
times, when Lincoln's friends urged him
to raise storm OF applause, which he
could always do by his happy illustra-
tions and amusing stories, he refused,
saying the occasion was too serious, the
issue too grave. 81 do not seek ap-
plause," said he, "nor to amuse the
people, want to convince them"
It was often observed during this can
vass that, while Douglas was sometimes
greeted with the loudest cheers, when
Lincoln closed the people seemed solemn
and serious, and could be heard all
through the crowd gravely and anxiously
discussing the topics on which the had
been speaking.
Doug glas, by means of favorable op-
portunity, succeeded in securing ma
jority of the Legislature, but a majority
of tho vote was with Lincoln. These
debates made Douglas Senator and Lin
coin President.-Hon. Isaac ~ Aszold,
Of Chicago.
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