Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1882-08-04
Price Four Cents.
Where's Hit 4?
Abraham LtncoIn's Anxious Inquiry at
His First Discussion With Douglas


His First Discussion with Douglas
[Frou the Chicago Journal
Wonder if Mr.. Robert r. Hit, who was
nominated for Congress by the convention at
Freeport yesterday, ever recalls to mind an
incident that occurred in that city "a years
ago, IN which he was somewhat conspicu-
GUS figure. If not we can refresh his mem
DRY, having been there and then present.
1t that memorable series of Joint public
discussions, in 1853, between Abraham Lin
coin and Stephen A. Douglas, which first
brought the former out to the notice of the
entire country, Mr.. Hit, who was then q
mere boy, Mr.. Lincoln's shorthand re-
porter, taking down all his speeches verba-
tim for publication jointly with those of Mr.
Douglas, who was also accompanied by
short. hand reporter in that grand tour of the
State. The series of debates consisted of
eight joint meetings at central localities in
different portions of the State and larger
meetings than those were have never been
witnessed in Illinois
Tine first meeting at which the leading
champions of Republicanism and Democracy
discussed the great political questions which
were at that time agitatlng the country was
at Ottawa-the secoud at Freeport The city
of Freeport was literally alive with people,
the friends of the greet disputants vieine
with each other to see which could turn out
the larger number The meeting was out of
doors, in an open field, in the ccntre of which
speakers platform had been Constructed
The day was pi ping hot Mr.. Lincoln was to
make the opening speech at 2:30 o'clock,
sharp. That hour arrived the band ceased
playing both speakers were seated on the,
platform, surrounded by reporters and a
score Of prominent Illinois, Wisconsin and
Iowa politicians. All eyes were turned
toward Mr.. Lincoln who was momentarily
expected to rise and begin. The writer of
ic OF
something was wrong. Mr.. Lincoln sat IN.
easily in his chair, moving about nervously
and looking eagerly around on the platform
and down into the throng of spectators. Fin
ally he arose, and with the same eager look
again surveyed the platform and those sur.
rounding it, and then, instead of opening his
speech, he called out where's Hit Does
anybody know where Hit is ?"
The spectacle excited laughter amor those
who did not know about Hit, but Lin
coins immediate friends and the reporters.
who understood how important part of
1.-The circus" Hit was, appreciated Mr. Lin
coins perplexity. He did not wish to com
mence his speech until his short hand repcr-
ter was on hand to take down his every word.
Hit was that short hand reporter, but he was
missing. After waiting anxiously for about
five minutes, Mr. Lincoln was finally inform
ed that 'tHitt was coming" and the long,
thin face of the Republican champion lost it's
look of anxiety. Hit, out of breath, was
hastily lifted to his placs on the platform,
and Mr.. Lincoln, knowing that Hit was there,
proceeded to open the debate, making the
most telling speech of the campaign.
The explanation was that young Bob Hit,
who had been at dinner at the house of O
friend, came to the scene of operations lit
tie late, much to his chagrin. Years subse-
quently, the newspaper correspondents and
reporters who had accompanied 1.-THE circus"
as that joint debate was called, whenever
they met Bob, exclaimed Where's Hit ?"
But Hit was there, and he there yester-
day, too, and we predict that during the
session of the next Congress the people of
the Sixth district will never have occasion to
ask where's Hit ?" He will be there, sure,
and will be found to be as faithful and intel
ligent Representative as will occupy seat
in the House.