The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-08

,schism between Buchanan and Doug
las, and the democrats were called on
TO say which master they would serve.
The greater majority chung to their
1901, Douglas. Some OF these lost off,
ciaI positions for this display of affec-
tion, conspicuous among whom was
Judge G. c. Lanphere, postmaster at
Galesburg. The arbitrary acts of Blu
chanan incensed the democrats. In
the national democratic party, consist
ing of Buchanan's friends, there were
put Few Knox county democrats. And
the more the friends OF Douglas suf-
Iered the more arduously they worked
for him.
Judge Douglas in his earlier days,
was Judge OF the judicial circuit of
which Knox county formed a part.
His kindness and ability won him
friends all over the county. His first
speech during his first successful race
LOT congress was made in Knoxville
He has often spoken in Galesburg
ana other points In the county. He
was on familiar terms with all the
iieaolng politicians. From the moment
IL was announced that he was to de-
bate with Lincoln at Galesburg there
was an enthusiastic movement in all
parts OF the county to make the dem
onstfatlon In his honor most impos-
ing one and one that would cause the
tIleHuS OF Lincoln diSmay
Apranam Lincoln was not known by
race TO as many people in the county,
put MS words were treasured in hum
dreds OF households. The men who had
sheltered slaves regarded him with an
intensity of fervor that seems remarka-
pie In the republican convention Blu
chanan had been denounced as unwor-
thy or honor. The republicans felt that
the preparations Of the democrats were
4 ND "a FTyf,o
denomination of the men was shared
py the women. The reports of the de-
bates Intensified the excitement.
Looking back now on the struggle
IL can be seen that with democracy it
was the CONCLUSIVE effort of a dying
cause ana with the republicans the
inspiration Of victory.
Abraham Lincoln arrived in Knox
vile the evening of Oct. from Peoria,
and was escorted by a band and pro-
cesslon to the Hebard house. From
the porch he delivered a brief speech,
enl1vened by his characteristic wit.
The Hon. William Kellogg, then con-
gressman' was with him. The
paper of that date alludes
to them as "Our Abe and Our Bill"
and further refers to Mr.. Lincoln as
our next senator"
The elements were decidedly adverse
TO a successful political gathering Oct.
o. The rain fell in sheets. That night
the rain whipped around to the north
anc keen, cold blast from the north
west set in, that prevailed with VIC
lence all the next day. Only the utmost
devotion to principle and to party and
loyalty to Lincoln and Douglas could
nave 1mpelled the people to turn out on
such bleak day and over such mud
dy roads In Galesburg the firing of
salute announced the break of the
great day. The sun came up amid
struggling clouds.
The exercises We're held on the east
side of Knox College so as to shield
the speakers from the cold wind. The
PLATFORM was gayly decorated with
nags and banners. Long before the
hour OF speaking the park was filled
with thousands of people The time
Tor the exercises to begin was o'clock,
and just prior to that hour Mr. Lincoln
and MT. Douglas were drawn to the
PARK in carriages, side by side,
and drawn by four horses. Their
appearance was the signal for
a great demonstration, in which
each side tried to Guido the 9TH
er. The college dormitory in front
or the speakers was covered with peo-
pie. The overloaded college fence broke
down. 1t is estimated that there were
10000 to $4,000 people present, all
pectation.
The Hon. James Knox was chair
man of the day. On the platform were
seated a number Of the more promin-
ent democratic and republican poll
ticians of the day. In the audience
were many who afterward gained
more than a local reputation.
who spoke for an hour. Mr.. Lincoln
followed with q reply an hour and q
half in length. Mr.. Douglas rejoinder
consumed half an hour.
The debate itself has been preserved
and is matter of history. Mr.. Lin
coin, such is the concurrent testimony
of many witnesses, seemed to be in the
better physical condition. His voice
was clear, penetrating, musical. 1t is
the Judgment of some of the best in
formed of those who heard the two
men that Lincoln came off the winner.
The moral advantage was on his side
and he pressed 1T home with tremend-
GUS earnestness. He put Douglas in
the attitude Of one who proposed to
perpetuate slavery. The republicans
was the more enthusiastic. They
seemed to feel that theirs was the
cause Of justice and not of expediency.
They were In hearty sympathy with
Mr.. Lincoln. They cheered his keen
irony, they laughed at his wit, they
enjoyed his exposure of Douglas bogus
resolutions, they appreciated his mas
terly reply to Douglas careless state
ment that he did not care whether
slavery was voted up or down. Lin
coin that day was good-natured.
Through all the trying scenes he main
tanned his equipoise. He seemed to
have the strength of man imbued
with a great moral purpose and con-
fident of victory. His sentences rang
to the farthest part Of the crowd and
carried conviction.
Douglas. on the other hand, from
the start was inclined to be personal
The reading of his speech this day
shows. 1t was i clever, powerful,
plausible argument, designed to make
Mr.. Lincoln out as inconsistent and
as artful There were in it passages
of great power of eloquence. Still it
failed of the desired effect. Mr.. Doug
las voice was hoarse, which, with its
natural deerness made the articulation
quite indistinct. His utterance was so
slow and measured that it was irri-
tating to many, and was made the sub
ject Of ridicule by the Knoxville Re-
publican. He was labored Not until
he answered Lincoln did he seem to
realize that he had fallen short. His
manner then approached vehemence.
No little excitement was created in the
crowd by his indirectly asking Mr.. Lin
coin If he desired to push the resolu-
ton matter 'tO the point of personal
difficulties here" AS he said this he
was close to Mr.. Lincoln and he was
shaking his clenched hand close to Mr..
Lincoln's face Those who expected
to see Mr. Lincoln give way to anger
noticed that he did not quail under the
indignant glance of his antagonist, but
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