The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-11

fasore9 RS election On the gsoand tnas II
party ard soree Dgrrsas ~ g rsn ire
asaxs-slzvs-y party. Tsse confess became q
na t5o.a sss-ae % me arss Enror< arce- ard
al 0Fe-Nae1nzng victory as3 sriaEs sssal
re-SnsTy INTO the serrzss seemed sure <5r
DosgIzs.
One man Blocked ths way. an1 xtsa such
trerae1aoas force ard sup~rs ability THAI
htz e@cgt csf7Sol93a.ez the free sentiment
% the country. abolished slavery ana saved
<1e lus01- That nan was Abraham LIN
coin
for the hand OF the lady who married the
former. and contestants in after years FIR
Ire United States senate and the pres
dsEcy. Douglas nad been Cor mere than
q decade without . peer On the platform n
Illinois. ard I4ncczn. after years Of effort
rad come 70 be recognized a. rhe crly 5xa-
fo- 1fo could ae safely psstei against aims
Douglas Possessed zA-sora! fame. while
Lincoln aa1 Only a STATE rep1ras.e7-
Horace Greeley.
tran any ore the Intellectual powers o. Ire
politicians OF Ms time. say that though
many Esen could excel Douglas n a single
speech. ne hal no equal in the country IN
could so mlSS-afe and then denoltSh MS
zdyersarys position THAI II was next 20
impossible 20 make clear I'd an audience
wherein lay me falseaocd- he had the
faculty. OF exirleating himself from an ap-
parentiy hopeless dilemma win an audac-
fy ana a6rr.tneSs wasca won -as applause
OF ms hearers. He insaitively saw tee
weak point OF his opponent and rushed the
attack with resistless holiness and energy.
HIS unscrup1io2sness and untrut1fulness.
which would have destroyed other sseax-
ers made hsrn the noS- dangerous OF de-
haters. When he had the right on his side
Re marshale1 the forces of truth with such
surprising skill and logical power tazt mis-
friends proudly named him the Little
Giant
Lincoln had harno- and pasnos. and
Douglas possessed neither Lsncon's fac
audience IN the easy familiarity which
makes them both friendly and receptive
was the genius of popular oratory. But
with these elements ne had a s.nguiariy
lucid power OF statement and was master
OF logic Unlike Douglas. Re was weak
unless he knew he was right. His whole
nature must be stirred with the justice Of
his cause for him 10 rfse above the conn
monplace. But once convinced thai be
was battling for right and truth and he
was irresistible. He became logical. spi-
sramHla,ic and eloquent. Convincing as
was MS speech 70 those who listened. L
vas more powerful when read il cold type
Douglas and Lincoln.
Douglas was born in Vermont. He had
all the advantages OF lis splendid school
system, and improved them by an aca-
demic education His boyhood and youth
were n1rturcd and taught by precsp' and
example in a New England hone-cher.sa-
ing. calrch-going and li5erty-ioying COM
Enuniiy- He moved West 10 teach school.
acquire MS profession and begin MS career
with no other hardships than those which
are essential IN America TO train and inare
ambition for success in The battle OF life.
By bsr.h, associations and early influences
he should have bSea opposed 10 ssavery.
but he became It's most efficient defender
ally and friend. He lacked moral nature
and perception.
Lincoln was born IN a slave state. lis
from rg~{ ga Ma last
courage and sunk into the condition OF the
poor white in ante-bellum days He lived
in log cabin with a single room. and his
companions were the rough. coarse and
ignorant children OF the neighborhood.
He grew 10 manhood wearing the skins OF
ANIMALS for his garments. gigantic in
stature. good-natured. storytelling. pro-
tscting the weak against the local bully.
ard the pride OF the settlement for his
strength. size. ready Wit and uncouth eIo-
Quence.
The imne raj. whisky-drinking and bias
phemoGs associations OF this formative
period OF his life never tainted or tar
nished his pure and lofty soul. His lie
and experience seem startling resuiatsan
OF the doctrine Of man total depravi;y In
a state OF nature. With MS early environ
raen,. great gifts and talent for leadership.
he was the ideal type from which TO select
a supporter of slavery.
But the Puritan ancestry whose strength
and strain had been lost in the Kentucky
wilderness OF slave-owners and the Indi-
msrveioasiy reproduced. in this homely
descendant. the traits watch carried the
Pilgrims from Scroby 20 Holland and from
Holland 20 Plymouth Rock 20 worship
God according TO the dictates of their con-
sciences on the bleak shores OF New Eng
land and found a government OF just and
equal laws.
Lincoln the Flatboatman.
Having sailed down the Mississippi. as
fiathoatman TO New Orleans Lincoln was
"a ~ n a
market A young girl was put up at auc-
ton. and after the usual animal exacltTa-
ton and inspection sold He turned from
the scene Win horror and registered
mighty cath that. come what would he
would do his best 10 destroy an institution
under which such crimes sgainsi humanity
were possible. He had made little mark in
the legislature. but was gaining reputation
as a stump speaker.
His service In congress was distinguished
by always voting for the Wsimot prcyiso
TO prohibit slavery in the territories ac-
qured from Mexico, opposing the Mexican
war. and Introducing bill 10 abolish
slavery in the District OF Columbia He
spoke in many states In the presidential
canvasses OF is4t lsaS and 1859 for the Wing
party. bur while his efforts were popular,
they were ordinary and perfunctory.
X required more than questions of tariff.
internal Improvements and national bank
ing 10 touch hts big heart and inspire his
great mind 70 supreme effort He was
never ~ his best unless his sympathies
the platform had given him she technical
skill for wonderful work when once his
soul and intellect were tremendously
aroused for justice and liberty.
Lincoln as an Abolitionist.
Immediately upon the repeal OF the Mis-
souri, compromise in 1854 Lincoln, VINO had
retired from politics. re-entered the arena
20 form a party 20 fight slavery strictly
within the lines % the constitution Hs
sa n from the weakness OF the abolitioniSts
va IA tFslx Ss.~ 80 Al ~
curling It's extension and ultimately extln-
gushing H. He was instrumental IN cali
SIX state convention az BLOOMINGTON.
May ~. fs5S, OF Free Soil Wings Demo
Gratis opposed 70 TIE repeal Of the Missouri
con- promise. and aco1onssts.
lincoln was the leader 81 Tire Free Sell
and Gen. John NJ Palmer Of the Free soil
Democrats The speech which thrilled
and consolidated the convention was made
by Lincoln FROM = snraaS the Repu6-
fort, which was burned in the mind AMI
memory 81 every delegate, has long been
known as Linrasns lost speech. because X
was not reported IL has recently been re-
produced after having been hf4rie1 for for
" years n tae notes OF q Young lawyer
who Was present. Il ssirs the blood now
Ike aug,e call for battle.
We have seen shls DAY " lie said. That
every shade OF popular opinion - repre-
scented AeEe, With freedom or rather free
SOL as The basis. We came here 20 pro-
test against a great wrong and to take
measures 20 make that wrong right. ard
the plain way 10 40 this Is "a restore the
NtTsosavi cozaprsyFn.ss. and 10 demand ard
dsfermine fnar Kansas shall b. free
Thomas Jefferson. a Sia~ah138sT. mindful
81 ne moral element IN slavery, sosensHly
csAres5 I tyemhlc t3T my eos1sry when
| refna g1>her tAsG God Is tgSt while Judge
nc1glaS. viii al sDSsgnl acaut move 81 Ms
hand. don't care whether slavery Is voted
Up nr voted d0Rn
''Tas battle 81 freedom j. 20 be fouxhE
OCT On pgsnGsa.e- Slavery Is viola zson Of
eternal right. We have tern parIsad vita x