The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-02-06
THEY WON'T DEBATE
DOUGLASS DECLINES TO MEET HAL
LOWELL IN SONG AND SPEECH.
He Says He Don't Sing and Can't See
Why Speeches are Needed in the
Car,paign-After Some Other
Remarks Mr.. Douglass De-
clines "The Proposition"

Hon. George L. Douglass has declined
to NEE. Colonel Hallowell in joint de-
bate.
Last night he answered the challenge
sent him by the colonel.
Following are the challenge of Colonel
HalloweIl and the reply Of Mr.. Douglass
Hon. George L. Douglass. City.
Ny DEAR SIR:-In the days of Webster,
Clay, Wade, Lincoln and Garfield, the
statesmen seeking the endorsement of
their fellow citizens went, in speech and
in song. to the people who gathered at the
''huskings" to hear and to choose. Be
lieving in the good old customs. l respect
fully propose that we hold seven or nine
joint meetings in this county, inviting the
people to come out and hear our claims to
recognition as opposition candidates for
congressman-at-large. At least two of the
meetings should be held in the city of
Wichita and the others at such places as
we may agree upon. Dates and division
Of time can be arranged between this and
Tuesday morning and we can share the
expense equally.
Asking for an early response and trust
ing that you will accept the challenge,
l am very truly yours,
j. X. HALLOwELL.
WICHITA, Kans, Feb. 5, 1894.
Colonel j. r. Hallowell. City:
DEAR SIR:-I have your letter in which
you say, In the days of Webster, Clay,
Wade, Lincoln and Garfield, the states
men seeking the endorsement of their
fellow citizens went, in speech and in
song, to the people who gathered at the
"huskings" to hear and to choose. Believ-
ing in the good old customs, l respectfully
propose that we hold seven or nine joint
meetings in this county inviting the peo-
pie to come out aud hear our claims to
recognition as opposing candidates for
congressman-at-large."
Several suggestions occur to me in this
connections:
/. So far as this proposition contem-
plates our going before the people sin
song" it Is impracticable, for l have no
talents IN that line. l cannot sing.
2 The serious part of the proposition,
as | understand it. is that you and shall
hold joint public meetings at which we
shall discuss ourselves aud our claims.
Such discussion would be purely personal
in its details. In considering your claims as
against mine (assuming that there are any
such things as claims in case of this
klnd) you would necessarily have to give
your reasons for believing yourself to be
the stronger candidate and for believing
me 60 be the weaker candidate; and, if l
co go into such a discussion, |
all this might be highly satisfactory to our
enemy, it would be Injurious to
party harmony in this county and might
initiate against the ultimate success of
either of us.
3. In your recently published letter to
me. of Jan. CO. yOn made this statement:
Il have no fears of the Republicans OF
Sedgwick county. They know me and my
work. Ii they are with me they will sus-
tain me-" ETC. Now, il that Is true what
is the use of seven or nine speeches to tell
them what they already know?
4. have heard Of joint discussions be-
tween representatives of opposing political
parties, wherein great principles were de-
oated; AS. for instance, the famous Lin
,oln and Douglas debate. But l do not be-
ieve that joint discussion between two
of the same party, upon the SUBJ
ect of their personal claims to preferment,
would meet with public approval; and i
loubt whether Daniel Webster or any of |
he great men you name ever went in |
peech and in song before the people" for |
uch Il purpose. For these reasons, in |
which believe large majority of our fel- |
ow Republicans concur, l find myself un |
lble TO agree to your proposition. Let me |
lgain assure you of my earnest desire that |
his little canvass in which we are engaged |
nay be so carried on, and the primaries SO |
that both your friends and !
nine can Loyalty accept the result what |
ver it may be. and, to avoid anything CAL
ulated TO engender animosity.
Very Respectfully Yours.
GEO. l.. DOUGLASS.