The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-03-04
Eiacoln and Douglas

The twQsanoss prominent men In Illi-
nois at tbas tHne were Douglas and Lin
coin. Each was In the full maturity of
his poNefR, Dohglas being rs and Lin
eohI 70 kears old. Douglas had for
wears been trained ON the stump. in the
lower hearae ot Congress and in the Sen
ate fo.Mz4t a debate the ablest speak
ers in tlf1.' sto and nation. For years
hc had been accustomed, on the floor of
the Capit0I. toencounter the leaders OF
tue old Wing and Free Sol PARTIES.
Among tlsen were Seward and Fessen-
den. and CiisSenden and Chase. and
TrnIn safil sulis BALE and Sumner, and
others &slsn = aHainenf, aud his enthu-
siaAtla5fat1 <esssl sl5 that never, either
mi - CD Sst.kI sT~6cn rccoIvzng tlao-
assault ~ asassfolc party, had he been
discom6ted His style was bold, vigor-
oUs and aggressive, and at times defiant.
DE vas ready, fertile IN resources, IA
mllar with political history, terrible in
dcnuneiatiOn, and handled with skill all
riIe weapons Of debate. His iron will,
restless energy, united with great per-
sobal magnetism, made him very popu-
l-tr; and, with these qualities, he had
lndoDItable physical and moral courage,
and his almost uniform success had CIV
NA MN perfect tOuiltAt4iNt III l4lilAotn.
Lincoln was also thoroughly-traine
speaker. lie had contended, success
fully, year after year, at the bar and on
the stump. with the ablest men of Hi
uois. including Lamborn, Logan, John
Calhoun and others, and often met
Bou0las bimseIf-a conflict with whom
he always rather courted than stunned.
Indeed, these two great orators had
often tested each others power, and,
whenever thew did meet, it was indeed
Greek meeting Greek, and the ting
OF war" came. for each put forth his ut
most strength.
Such were the champions who, in
/ 1898. were 10 discuss before the voters
| OF Illinois, and with the whole nation as
spectators. the political questions then
| pending. and especially the vital ques-
| ti0ns relating TO slavery. 1t was not a
! SINGLE combat, but extended through
/ the whole campaign, and the American
/ plepaused TO watch its progress, and
/ hung. with intense interest, upon every
movement of the champions. Each OF
! these great men, l doubt not, at that
/ time. sincerely believed he was right.
/ Douglas ardor, while in such a conflict,
/ would make him think, for the time be-
/ ing. he was right, and 1 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 hui
! mored. always had an apt story for illus
/ tration. while Douglas sometimes, when
( hard pressed, was irritable
Douglas carried away the most p6pu-
| lar applause. but Lincoln made the
! dpeDer and more lasting impression.
! Douglas did not disdaln an immediate
! and captandurn triumph, while Lincoln
,5r,.l - ,,r-r7lss-ss slss-isllnxistious- Some
4 limos. when j.. s1ofn's friends urged him
to raise a storm OF applause, which he
| could always do by his happy illustra-
| tons and amusing stories, he refused,
saving the occasion was too serious, the
issue too grave. q do not seek APP
plause." said ne, "nor to amuse the
people-I want to convince them.
Ii was often observed during this can
vass that, while Douglas was sometimes
erected with the loudest cheers, when
Lincoln closed the people seemed solemn
| and serious, and could he heard all
through the crowd grayeiy and anxiously
discussing the topics on which the had
| been speaking.
Douglas, by means of a favorable OPP
portunity. succeeded in securing a ma
Jority of the Legislature, but q majority
| of the vote was with Lincoln. These
debates made Douglas Senator and Lin
| coin President.-H0fl. Isaac " Arnold,
! of CHic00O