The sun., 1892-12-18
the war for the abolition Of slavery. had not
John Brown suffered martyrdom In the same
cause on Virginia soil.

authors estimate OF Douglas and JEFFERSON
Davis on the one hand. and OF Sumner Ind
Seward on the other. Douglas played
leading role throughout the period covered
by this history. and Mr.. Rhodes has frequently
occasion to discuss his political opinions. his
oratorical abilities. and his personality. Per-
hspe nowhere do we get a moro vivid impress
zion Of the man In all his aspects than In the
account OF his Joint debate with Lincoln In
1858 This was an intellectual duel between
him who represented the best element OF the
mocratic party and the man who was build
Ing UP principles. facts. and arguments into
wcll-denned and harmonious political system.
No doubt there was In the debates much OF an
ephemeral and personal character. SO far as
the personal controversy was concerned.
Lincoln displayed moro acerbity than
his opponent. This was not surpris-
ing. because Douglas did not show entire
fairness. When charge was refuted.
he hnd way OF making it In another shape.
80 that 1t was impossible to get him to admit
that he was mistaken. Although frequently
exhibiting n hasty temper. he was usually
brimming over with good feeling. and
this circumstance. together with his effective
manner Of rciterating a charge. gave him a
superiority over Lincoln In this feature OF the
discussion. There was great desire on the
another in the immediate judgment OF the
actual audience: and this gave rise to personal
repartee Here Lincoln did not appear to ad-
vantage. on account Of his ungainly way OF
putting things. Douglas. better practised in
tho amenities OF debate. paid Lincoln
more than one graceful compliment; but
Lincoln had no words OF unmeaning praise
for his opponent In his hits at Douglas there
are touches OF sullen envy mixed with self
depreciation and with regret that fortune
should have showered gifts on the Little
Giant while bestowing but meagre favors on
himself. He had long envied Douglas. and 1t
CALLED him that his early rival had succeeded
SO we'll in winning fame. while he. conscious
Of equal intellectual power and OF higher
moral purpose. should be little known beyond
his own State When. however. the discussion
turned on principle. tho advantage OF Lincoln
was manifest. AS the contest proceeded. he
grew hotter. and his bursts Of eloQuence.
under tho influence OF noble passion. are still
read with delight by the lovers OF humanity
and constitutional government. The posi-
tions that Douglas had consecutively
taken in his political career required
cool head to maintain an appearance OF con-
sistency between them. In the increasing
heat Of the controversy he sometimes over
looked this. and was influenced too much by
his immediate audience. forgetting for the
moment that the whole country was looking
on and would read in tranquil hours his every
word. 1t is pointed out. indeed. that through
out the Joint debates Douglas had little to say
on tho Lecompton question. but In the main
seemed to be again the Douglas ofthe Kansas
Nebraska bill. The radical difference between
him and the Republicans appeared in every
discussion: they could agree on tho anti
Lecompton issue. but on nothing else: and
now that this question was settled. all the
othcr points OF divergence reacQuired distinct
ness.
The figure Of jefferson Davis will. OF course.
like that OF Lincoln. stand forth most clearly
in the next installment OF this history. but
tho tenor OF tho many references to him in the
volumes already published indicate that Mr..
Rhodes will not approach the final dellneation
OF his achievements and his character in a hos
tile spirit. 1t is pointed out that from the
close OF 1850 to the beginning OF the civil war
the four rhases OF political opinion which
divided the country had become. 30 to speak.
incarnated in Douglas. Seward. Lincoln, and
jefferson Davis The latter. now indisputably
the leader OF the Southern Democrats. was
regarded by them with somewhat Of the vene-
ration that had been shown to Calhoun. Like
Calhoun. he could depend upon following
beyond the Democratic ranks. on account OF his
being tho special representative OF Southern
interests. Events were to demonstrate that II
throatonad novis wight nrnctica,,v recton On
tha e,,unort ~ his 1yho,a section
When crisis seemed impending. did Davis
nhodas dooe not hesitate IN onewor tbia ,uas.
tion In tho Affirmative He roc,lls tho fact
that durino the presidential comnaicn NJ 1870
Davis tried TO concentrate tho onnosition to
Tjnco,n nm siprIe candidate CouId tbio
nroiect have heen carried ont. II IA diff1cult 70
see. In view q, the distribution q, the vo,ea
suhsenucntlv cast. how Lincoln could have
bcen elected Beu tho candidate Of the rem.
nnnt Of the Whip nartv. declared his willing.
ness 70 witbdraw in conjunction with Doucloa
and Brecknridpe. provided some man more
accontobIo than any OF the three could be mt
forward and ba auiborized Davis to oman no.
potiations with that end In view. Rreckin.
ridge oave Davis similar autbori,v The mat.
ter was broacbod in an amicable snirit "a
Douclas. He rcniied that the schemo nro.
nosed was imnrncticable becasse bis friends