The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-07
ry r. sanderson, whose guest he was
for the day.
DOUGLAS FIRST TO ARRIVE.


DOUGLAS FIRST TO ARRIVE.
Mr.. Douglas arrived at ~ a. IN. and
was also received by large delegations.
The debate took place at ? p. 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 a place where
there would be shelter from the gale.
The platform was erected at the south
end of the east side of Knox college.
1t was gayly decorated with flags and
streamers, and Immediately over 1t
was a banner, inscribed Knox College
for Lincoln The two debaters were
driven side by side in equipages drawn
by four horses to the college. and We're
accompanied there by the military, and
large delegation of horsemen and
Of people on foot. An immense aud
ience had assembled an hour or more
before the speaking. Estimates have
fixed the number at 10000 to $4,000.
Not only We're the grounds densely
packed. but the roof of the dormitory
building east of the college was black
with people.
The opening was very simple and in
formal. EX-Congressman James Knox
presided. Mr.. Douglas had the open
ing. one hour in length: Mr.. Lincoln
followed in II speech one and one half
hours long: Mr.. Douglas rejomder
was half AN hour long.
The opening by Mr.. Douglas was one
of the most aggressive and personal
of the series. lie seemed to realize that
Mr.. l.incolns friends were i'm the as
ceniency and that it was necessary
to put him at IL disadvantage He
therefore boldly accused Mr. Lincoln
of insincerity. of being one thing in one
part of the state and another in the
other: of being ii policy man and of not
being an out -aud-Out abolitionist He
then defended his own acts as national
and patriotic. while to Mr. Lincoln he
ascribed Sectionalism and Il lack of
patriotism He dwelt particularly on
Mr.. Lncoln's declaration that a house
divided against itself cannot stand"
AS one reads Douglas address this
day he is struck by its cleverness and
adriotness.
ANXIETY OF IINCOLN'S FRIENDS
Mr.. Lincoln's reply was awaited with
anxiety The thousands who had never
heard him We're wondering how he would
answer the charges and insinuatOnS
made against him-rhargeS supported
by quotations from Mr.. Lincoln's own
speeches. But with the first sentence
the anxiety appears to have been swept
away. 1t was followed by laughter
and cheers. Step by step Mr.. Lincoln
proceeded, clearing away the doubts
which Mr.. Douglas had raised. Wit.
sarcasm, ridicule, was poured upon the
head of Mr.. Douglas. who with his
broad -brimmed white hat on his head
and his OvercOat about him. sat smOk-
ing cigar and looking over the cheer
ing and excited crowd.
Lincoln seemed the perSonification of
good nature. even when he was the
most severe. On Douglas face appear
ed IA scowl as the keen blade of his wit
was driven home. Mr.. Lincoln took
the offensive. He. too. became person
al. He accused Douglas of being a
party to the foregoing of resolutions
and in detail described the whole trans
action. Then he proved that Douglas
was sectional. To Douglas assertion
that he did not care whether slavery
was voted up or down he made crush
ing and eloquent reply. He arose to a
higher level and pictured Douglas as
trying to put out the moral lights of the
people and as trying to perpetuate
slavery. 1t was then he made the most
of the moral advantage on his side
From all parts of the audience came
cheers and cries of encouragement.
DOUGLAS ANGERED BY LINCOLN.
When Mr.. Douglas arose to reply he
was under much excitement. He con-
sumed some time in replying to the
charges and caused some excitement
by asking if Mr.. Lincoln desired to
push the matter to the point of personal
difficulties. Mr.. Lincoln's coolness
saved trouble.
When the debate ended partisans on
both sides claimed the day for their
respective champions. Still, even the
Democrats admitted that Mr.. Lincoln
in the moral argument, in his powerful
appeal to the cOnsciences of the peo-
pie. had gained an advantage. They
We're forced to cOncede that Douglas