Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-06
Remiinlsctscrs
o. an Old Lawyer Friend Of Stephen /
9 Douglas.

debate between Lincoln and Douglas.
writes Harriet Monroe in the Times
Herald under date of Oct.7. Stimulated
by the preparations for this festival.
Judge X, a friend and follower of
Douglas, was moved to tell stories of
dead heroes.
Time changes the aspect of things ;"
he said when those two senatorial
candidates were preparing for their
stamping tour it was Douglas who
took precedence in mems thoughts
We felt that the senator was conde-
scending in granting equal terms to a
man whose record was comparatively
undistinguished. A number OF men.
politicians and others, We're in Doug
las room the very evening after this
Joint debate had been arranged. Some
Of them laughed at the idea of Abe
Lincoln facing the little giant and
Thomas Church. one of Chicago's
mayors, predicted that Douglas would
have a walkover. | remember how
gravely the senatorturne and rebuked
his admirers sneer. You don't know
Abraham Lincoln he said slowly. with
Impressive seriousness: L do. l tell you
that l have got the hardest job on my
hands that l ever undertook He put
al his strength into his task, but it
vas the strength. not of prophet. but
If a great politician. He stood for
compromise when the people were in
30 mood for compromise; and he OBJ
posed, not man of his own kind. but
I Moses who dreamed or the promised
and and dared to lead his people
through the wilderness. SO, though he
won the senatorship. he lost the greater
glory and died rejected and broken
hearted.
Lincoln has overtopped him, as he
Toes all others of his time, but Douglas
vas the bigger man in his day. The
Universal heroes, the immortal, print
i've types, have to wait for full recog-
nition and reward. while great men of
he second rank make a louder noise in
the world When / first came to Chi
ago as young lawyer, early in the
ifties Douglas was an overpowering
igure in American politics. and | was
proud of the letters of introduction /
arried to him from friends in New
York. / arrived at supper time. hot
md dusty. aftera hard journey through
he Western wilds, and registered at
he old fremont House. After signing
felt a hand on my shoulder. and
heard Il big, resonant voice saying:
Good evening. Mr.. X: / know you
hough you don't know me-my name
s Douglas I turned and saw
hort. thick-set man. whose linen
luster did not conceal the fact that he
vas as grimy as l. But his piercing
lark eyes and royal manner made him
impressive in spite of the dirt. The
lext moment three or four men were
aging Good evening. senator and l
new it was the great Douglas.
His recognition of a poor young
immigrant mystified me-not for days
lid | know that our common friends
lad written asking him to look me up.
hat he had just been reading one of
heir letters when he saw my name on
he register. Meantime his cordality
ook me captive. He asked me To come
his room that evening. and there /
net many of Chicago's founders. and
ieard much talk ON public questions.
Douglas was a man who got little
rom books and much from men. When
it NdS Stuty iiiS a SuDJFti. Iitlti itiS
; speech he would invite to his rooms
s many able men as he could find,
presenting all shades of opinion. He
would serve wine and cigars and talk
he subject over in all its bearings,
questioning. arguing, drawing out his
euests. getting to the bottom of their
pinions. And afterward. when the
pccch was made. one could follow in
the suggestions of that evening: not
brilliant idea would he left unquoted.
rot an objection would pass unan-
iwercd Humanity was his teacher:
10 could not interpret mems dreams.
ike Lincoln. but he could sympathize
earthly with their daily needs.
Il shall never forget sitting up all
light at that cottage in the grove where
Douglas lived. and near the site Of
Which now rises his monument. He
ad just returned from his foreign tour,
nd for hours he told of his adventures.
pne story of London landlady amused
lin especially Her hotel had been
ecommended to him tor comfort and
iuiet, so he went there travel-stained
.lnd unattended, ordering his baggage
follow. The landlady. a barrel
ihaped and rigid minded English
Woman. took his measure. and showed
aim rather meager rooms. Have you
anything better. madam he asked.
The next were but little better and the
lext At last Douglas demanded the
,cst she had, and the woman con-
'esscd to certain rooms on the first
loor which were usually occupied by
Members of tho nobility. Reluctantly
ihe led her questionable guest to
,heerful suite overlooking parks and
gardens, and there Douglas installed
himself and sat down to write and
smoke.
soon a lackey. observing him from
he hall, entered to tell him that smOk-
ing was not permitted in those apart
.nents. The senator, detecting imper-
thence in the mans manner, smoked
on. Another came, and still he smoked.
Then man in tail coat and white
gloves entered and was very peremp-
tory. Douglas looked at him and pulled
away. Then the stout little landlady
appeared with all her feathers flying,
and began to lay down the law.
This time Douglas rose and faced
the intruder. Summoning all the