St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-16
Lfneoln- Douglas.
TJOhn H. HarmOn's "Recollecrons. 81

John II. HArmon's "Recollecuons."
There was a great contrast between the
two men. Douglas was short Of stature. but
plump Of build. His face was rather broad
aud his head large, with a shock of black
hair raising straight up from his high fore
head. AS was the fashion then he wore his
hair rather long, aud It spread away over his
ears without much sign Of parting. A
smoOth-shayed face tended to give him a
youthful appearance, except for the deep
lines about the forehead, eyebrows, upper
lip and mouth. His voice was deep and
sonorous aud 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 tune. He was
imprisoned In his delivery, and walked up
aud down the platform ia a demon strative
manner. He made great efforts 10 enforce
the principle Of local self-goyernment
Lincoln, In appearance, was quite the OPP
posite Of Douglas. He was very tall, very
angular, ungainly in his motions and atti-
tude; with a thin face, deeply furrowed, and
q voice not unpleasant, but sounding harsh
in the ears that had just listened to Douglas.
While the latter always moved about when
speaking, Lincoln stood in one place. He
dwelt ON the inhumanity of the fugitive
slave law. or course Douglas hal 10 defend
It as a part Of the compromise and also as
lawful carrying out OF the provisions OF the
constitution. The bred 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, tbs 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
dropping interest Of his audience by stories,
which he told in an inimitable manner. When
Douglas was speaking the faces Of the Demo
Gratis in the audience were sufficiently broad
TO look pleasant, but when Lincoln's turn
came they heightened out considerably, and
1t 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 o.
go over 20 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. He
had previously seen Lincoln when he was a
representative in congress, but he cut no fg-
ure in the house, appeared TO be out of his
element, and made few scquaintanees in
Washington. Douglas reintToduced me 10
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 Lad rendered him his help
aud infuence-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 not
fitted by training for a military career, and
his habits Of life at the time we're not adapted
to It. The proposed appointment was largely
political move, but nevertheless creditable
to both men, each fully sympathizing with
the other.