Birmingham state herald., 1896-10-11
DOUGLAS.
Interesting Celebration at Galesburg of Their , Famous Debate in '53-0ld Knox "A. College the Scene.

The celebration this week by Knox col lege of the anniversary of the debate in Galesburg, October T, 1858, between Abra- ham Lincoln and stephen A. Douglass, on the occasion of their joint canvass of. the state for the United States senator- ship, will be one of the most interesting anniversary events of a political charac- ter of recent years. The purpose is to- adhere to as many details of the original as possible. The exercises will be held on the east side of Knox college and will begin al ? o'clock in the afternoon. The platform will be erected at the east front of old Knox college. just as it was for Lincoln and Douglas. Chauncey M. De- pew will deliver an oration upon the won derful forensic combats. Hon. Clark E. Carr will preside, and among those who will be present on the platform are Ste phen A. Douglas, Robert T. Lincoln and Congressman Hit, who as stenographer reported the speeches of both men thirty eight years ago.
 The famous debate between Lincoln and Douglas marked the beginning of a great epoch in the history of the United States. It did more than any other single episode to crystallze and align the migthy forces which were so soon to be arrayed on either side of the great slavery uues- tion. Douglas won the immediate fruits of the &te-re-election to the senate but MT. Lincoln gained the national dis tinetion which inevitably led his footsteps to the white house.
 The Lincoln-Dougias debate resulted from a challenge issued by MT Lincoln to MT. Douglas to meet him on the.stump, the challenge being sent on the 24th of July, 1858. Douglas replied, proposing that they should meet at the towns of Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy and Alton, each speak CT alternately to open and close the dis cussion, Douglas to speak one hour at Ottawa, Lincoln to reply for an hour and half and Douglas to make half-hour's reJoinder. In like manner Lincoln should open and close at F'reeport, and so on al- ternately. Lincoln, in note da ted July 31, accepted this proposal, although by the terms, he wrote, you take four openings and closes to my three, accede' and thus close the arrangement" These joint debates were to be held independ- ently of individual speeches which both. candidates Were to make and did make elsewhere.
 The opening debate took place at Otta- wa, August 21 1s5s The candidates met again at Freeport on the 28th at Jones' boro September 15, at Charleston Septena- Der IS and at Galesburg, Quincy and AL ton on October 7 Is and 15, respectively. They were battles between giants, but even Douglas marvellous mastery of the arts of debate were oVermatched by the straightforward logic and uncompronniz- ing honesty of Lincoln. But though Lin coin won a moral victory, Douglas was elected. The republicans, on the 2d of November, boiled 125, ,420 votes; the Doug las democrats, 12l ,609, and the Buchanan democrats 5071. The republican state of- ficers were elected, but the democrats of both classes voting together held ma- jority on a joint ballot Of the legislature.
 The speeches at Galesburg, to be con- memorated on Wednesday next, were among the most noted of the series. Galesburg was one of the largest of the towns chosen and a great crowd assem- bled. The debate was announced in the local papers as follows
 n Joint Political Discussion
 Between
 GIon. A. Lincoln and Judge Douglas
 On Thursday Next. Let there be a grand rally of republi- cans, national and Douglas democra ts and men of all shades of political sent- ment, on the 7th inst, to hear the discus sion between the little giant and the big giant announced above. The latchstring of the Galesburg people will be out and preparations made to entertain a crowd. The railroads will carry at half fare.
 The weather was very unpropitious. It had rained the day before. and sharp frost had followed, bringing a chilling northwest wind that tore banners to tat ters and blew signs all over the streets. Despite the elements the people flocked in from the country.
 MT. Lincoln reached Galesburg at t1:30 o'clock from Knoxville. and was met mile from the square by delegation of Gaesburg citizens. At noon the republi- cans of the city, accompanied by splendid band, large number of ladies on horseback, beautifully attired, and three military companies met MT. Lin coin. Each of the ladies on horseback was accompanied by gentleman also mounted, and this fine equestrian feature of the parade elicted general admira ton. The military was known as the Light Guards. When Lincoln reached the main street of the city the companies fired a salute. He was then escorted to the home of Henry R. Sanderson, whose guest he was for the day.
 Mir Douglass arrived at 10 a. m., and was also received by large delegations. The debate took place at D. m., at the college park. The intention was to have the speaking in the public square, but the cold and pitiless wind forced those in charge to seek place where there would be shelter from the gale. The platform was erected at the south end of the east side of Knox college. It was gaily decor ated with flags and streamers and imme- diately over it was a banner, inscribed Knox College for Lincoln" The two de- baters were driven side by side in equip ages drawn by four horses to the college, and were accompanied there by the mili- tary and large delegation of horsemen and of people on foot. An immense audi ence ndQ aSSemDleu Hn nour or InOre De- fore the speaking. Estimates have fixed the number at 10000 to 25,O0O. Not only were the grounds densely packed but the roof Of the dormitory building east of the college was black with people The chair man of the meeting was James Knox On the platform, in addition to the speak CTS and Congressman R. R. Hit, who was one of the official reporters of the debates, were quite number of the lead ing republican and democratic poll Ac oc Mr. OnrItd h. tain order he introduced MT. Douglas, who spoke for an hour. MT Lincoln fol- lowed with speech one and a half hours in length, and MT. Douglas concluded with half hours reply.
 The spectators declared that Lincoln was the more calm. It was good thing for the occasion that he was, for Dou- glas, in replying to the charge that he had been implicated in the forgery of certain resolutions, shook his clenched fist in Iincoln'S face and asked if he