Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-02-10

ambition has been failure. With him
il has been a splendid success. His
name fills the nation, and it is not un-
known in foreign lands affect no
contempt for the high eminence he has
reached; so reached that the oppressed
OF my species might have shared with
me IN the elevation. ] would rather
stand on that eminence than wear the
richest crown that ever pressed a mon
arch's brow
We know, and the world knows
that Lincoln did reach that high, nay
far higher emineuce, and that he did
reach it.in such a way that 'the op-
pressed" did share with HIM in the ele.
vation.
Such were the champions who in
1853, were to discuss before the voters
OF Illinois, and with the cid nation as
spectators. the political questions then
pending. and especially the vital ques-
tions relating to slavery. 1t was not a
single combat, but extended through a
whole campaign. and the American
people paused to watch its progress,
and hung, with intense interest, upon
every movement of the champions.
Each of these great men, ] doubt not,
at that time, sincerely believed he war
right. Douglas ardor, while in such
a conflict, would make him think, fol
the time being, he was right, and 5
know that Lincoln argued for freedom
against the extension of slavery with
the most profound conviction that on
success hung the :ate 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 humored, always had an
apt story for illustration, while Doug
las sometimes, when hard pressed, was
irritable.
Douglas carried away the most pop
ular applause, but Lincoln made the
deeper and more lasting impression.
Douglas did not disdain an immediate,
and captandum triumph, while Lincoln
aimed at permanent convict lions. Some.
times. when Lincoln's friends urged
him to raise a storm of applause, which
he could always do by his happy Illus
tratlons and amusing stories, he re-
fused, saying the occasion was too seri
Gus, The issue loo grave, II do not
seek applause said he, NOR to amuse
the people, want to convince them. y
1t was often observed during this
canvass, that, while Douglas was some
times greeted with the loudest cheers,
when Lincoln closed the people seemed
solemn and serious, and could be heard
all through the crowd, gravelv and
anxiously discussing the topics on
which he mad been speaking.
Douglas BY means of favorable op.
portunity succeeded in securing ma
jority of the Legislature, but a maiori-
ty of the vote was with Lincoln. These
debates made Douglas Senator, and
Lincoln President. There was some
thing magnetic, something almost hero
ic, in the gallantry with which Douglas
threw himself into the canvass, and
dealt his blows right and left, against
the Republican party on each side, and
Buchanan's administration. which
sought his defeat. on the other. The
federal patronage was used by the un-
scrupulous Slidell, against Douglas
but in vain; few were seduced, but
the mass Of the Democratic party, with
honorable fidelity, stood by him. This
canvass Of Douglas, and his personal
and immediate triumph, in being re-
turned to the Senate against the COM
bined opposition of the Republican
party, led by Lincoln and Trumbull,
and the administration. with all its
patronage, is, l think, the most brilli-
ant personal triumph in American poll.
tics. If we look into English struggles
on the hustings for its parallel, we
shall find something with which to COM
pare it in the late triumph of Mr..
Gladstone II we seek its counterpart
In military history, we must look into
some of the earlier campaigns of Ma
poleon, or that In which Grant cap
tured Vicksburg.
Douglas secured the immediate OBJ.
ject OF the struggle, but the manly
bearing, the vigorous logic, the homes
ty and sincerity, the great intellectual
powers exhibited by Mr., Lincoln, pre-
pared the way, and two years later Sc
cured his nomination and election to
the Presidency. It is touching incl
dent, illustrating the patriotism of both
these Statesmen, that, widely as they
differed and keen as had been their ri.
valry, just as soon as the life Of the re-
public was menaced by treason they
Joined hands to shield and save the
country they loved.
Josh Billings Wisdom.
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