The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-12-05
LINCOLN--- DOUGLAS.
Physical and Intellectual Contrast
Between the Two Great Men.
Douglas, short and PIump-Lincoln,
Tall and Angular-The Tribute
Each Paid TO the Other
Their Canvass.

John H. Harmon's "Recollectionsn1
There was great contrast between the
TWO men. Douglas was short of stature but
plump Of build. His face was rather broad
and his head large, with a shock Of black
hair rising straight up from his high fore.
head. As was the fashion then he wore his
hair rather long, and it spread away over his
ears without much sign Of parting. A
smooth-shaved face tended to give him
youthful appearance, except for the deep
lines about the forehead, eyebrows, upper
lip and mouth. His voice was deep and
sonorous and a delight to all listeners. He
was graceful In movement and gesture and
deserved the reputation Of being one of the
most pleasing orators of his time. He was
impassioned i'll his delivery, and walked up
and down the platform in demonstrative
manner. He made great efforts to enforce
the principle of local self government
Lincoln, in appearance, was quite the OPP
posite of Douglas He was very tail, very
angular, ungainly in his motions and atti.
tude; with ii thin face, deeply furrowed. and
voice not unpleasant, but sounding harsh
ip the ears that had just listened to Douglas.
While the latter always moved about when
spaaking, Lincoln stood in one place He
dwelt on the inhumanity OF the fugitive
1t as part Of the compromise and also as
lawful carrying out Of the provisions of the
constitution The Dred Scott decision, Civ
ing the opinion OF the supreme court, was
much detested, but there was no way of gain.
saying it, if the duty of the states to each
other TO carry out the compact made
at the forming Of the constitution was
conceded. However, the conscience of the
people was against the return of fugitive
slaves, and the right in this matter was an
influence powerful enough to override laws,
decisions and constitutional compacts
Douglas was, in all respects, the more
powerful debater, but obviously not on the
popular side Of the question. Lincoln had an
advantage in his ability to revive the droop-
ing interest OF his audience by stories, which
he told in an inimitable manner. When
Douglas was speaking the faces Of the Demo
crats in the audience were sufficiently broad
to look pleasant, but when Lincoln's turn
came they heightened out considerably, and
II was not difficult to distinguish the parti-
sans OF each Of the great men who addressed
enormous crowds from the same platform.
The success of Douglas was owing to pure
force Of intellect Though Lincoln never let
his audience tire, Douglas presentation Of
his views Of the question made some votes
and retained those wavering and ready to
60 over to the other side. He told me as we
journeyed to the first meeting that few in
the United States realized the kind of man
he had to meet, his wonderful power over an
audience, or his great mental abilities ]
had previously seen Lincoln when he was
representative in congress, but he cut no fig
ure in the house, appeared to be
out Of his element. and made few ac-
quaintances in Washington. Douglas
reintroduced me TO him just before
the meeting. where both were to speak. They
were good friends, and before Lincoln took
his seat as president the patriotic Douglas
had rendered him his help and infiuence-no
small thing at that crisis. This was fully
appreciated, and the president was prepared
to make his old antagonist lieutenant general
in the army. Douglas would not accept the
position He was was not fitted by training
for a military career, and his habits Of life
at the time were not adaped to it, The
proposed appointment was largely political
move, but nevertheless creditable to bott
men, each fully sympathizing with the other