Daily Republican., 1882-05-12
THIRD EDITION.
ltacOIa aud Douglass.

The following interesting scrap OF MS.
tory /. faruished Cbe Chicago Tribune
NV an old resident of that city, an eX-
Judge, aud himself an actor In tht eVehs
he Describes. 1t is now gwen 10 'he
public, it is believed, for the first time:
"W he, tt" opposition to the eSteh
sion of slavery had crystalized IN the
North into new political party-the
RepublicaL--it iouud in the North IL
self the plosi talented and dangerous
enemy the rising spirit Of universal
liberty had % overthrow. In the per-
son of Stepheu A. Douglass the South
and slavery tx puSiou had a giant in"
deed to fght their battles in the very
strongholds Of liberty. In 1858 new
Senator was to be elected from this
State, and Douglass was put forward as
the candidate of the squatter sovereign
ty Democracy. The leaders of the
newly formed Republican Party ln-
stinctiveiy turned 10 'Old Abe as the
fttest man in the State to contest the
position with him, and he was sent for
to meet few prominent men in Chlcago
to arrange the conduct OF the campaign
and decided upon the proper course 10
be pursued in the inevitable oepate III
prospect. The meeting TOOK piace az
the old fremont House, and very lul-
attendance of the principal men Oh tne
city and State was secured.
DIT will be remem bered that Douglas
and Buchanan greatly differed IN their
views of Democratic doctrine and polcyi
and after much debate it was the gener-
al sense of the meeting that, az Buch'
anau was the head Of the Democratic
marty. his views should be regarded as
the true Democratic doctrine, and hence
in the coming contest Mr.. Douglass
should be held responsible TOR them
And the debate should be conducted in
opposition to those sentiments III utter
disregard of the fact that Douglass re
uudiated them, and hence could not IN
fact or in Justice be regarded as holding
them. After much talk had gone rouno,
Mr.. Lincoln was called upon TO give ma
yiews OF the matter. 1t is Impossible
now to quote his exact language or give
any correct statement OF the lndescrlpa-
bls manner of the man IS he slow y ele.
waited his towering frame above his
fellows who filled the hall. We can
only give the general substance OF the
address;
"'Gentlemen,' said ne, you have put
me forward in this contest without any
solicitation on my part, and am mere
at your request. 1t ID matter l &c
not care particularly about, and am OF
the opinion you have made a mistake IN
seslecting me as your candidate. l can
not enter this debate nor conductlt upon
the principles you propose. They are
wrong in principle ano false III fact, anu
have never yet been able to advocate
a cause with any success whlc.. 1 dld
not believe had justice and truth upon
my side.
Mr.. Douglass, as matter OF tact
does not entertain the principles nor al
,,yocate the policy of james Buchanan
hence it would be unfair and unjus
to him to 80 regard him. Besides
lam convinced that it would place
me in a ridiculous light befer'
the people to BE- continually replying
to arguments and overthrow wing posi-
lions which it is notorious my oppo
nent does not assume. Nothing woulC
give Mr.. Douglass s. easy victory al
such q false and dishonest course OF
INV part. No, gentlemen, l cannot en-
ter the canvass upon any such ground
as you propose it would not be honest
There was no replying to such argu
ments, and the upshot OF the matte
was that Honest Old Abe was permit
ted to enter that memorable contest or
tire,y untrammeled and with what IT
sult is well known to all the world"