The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-07

Galesburg. H., Oct. 7.-On the cam
pus OF historic Knox college. where Al
years ago Abraham Lincoln and Ste
phen A. Douglas met in a memorable
series of debates to determine which
should occupy a seat in the United
States senate. President Mckinley and
Postmaster General Charles Emory
Smith, today. delivered stirring ad-
dresses commemorative of the contest
between those two great leaders Of
former days. The citizens of Gales
burg turned out en- masse to honor the
president OF the United States and
the members of the cabinet.
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
The president spoke as follows:
Mr. Chairman and Fellow Citizens:
The time and place make this meeting
memorable. Forty-one years ago on
this spot two mighty leaders represent
ing opposite ideas, contended for mas
terry before the tribune of the people.
II was contest which history will not
fail 10 record; and some are yet living
TO tell OF it's interesting and thrilling
story. II has been recited around the
family fireside, until. 10 the people OF
Illinois. it has become household tale
inspiring love of liberty and devotion to
free institutions. Here, therefore, are
sacred memories which will be cher
ished by this community for all the
time, and are permanently incorporated
in the life OF the nation.
Lincoln and Douglas are inseparably
crppcctad N fh,s piuhlip mind This
soc ation began in conflict and ended in
cooperation. They were In antag-
Unism for more than generation over
the Interpretation Of the constitution
and were united at last when the con-
st.tution itself was assailed.
STOOD TOGETHER.
They might differ. as they did over
the meaning OF some Of its provisions,
but when the crisis came they stood
together for it's inviolaDility and FOR
the union It established. The one as
serted the right Of the slavery under
certain conditions to enter Ehe terri
tories-the other disputed that right
under any conditions: but both agreed
that the slave power should not divide
the Union. The debate was nationa!
and historical. 1t commanded profound
attention. IL interested all sections. IL
was watched with deepest anxiety by
the followers of both. 1t was read and
studied as no other public discussion
before or since. Ii presented the best
OF two conflicting schools of thought.
1t was epoch making and marked an
epoch in our history. II touched the
public conscience. IL Influenced public
thought ard purpose. IL made the is-
sue impossible sof escape. it could h
no longer ayerted IL united the friends
OF liberty as well as tlYose OF slavery.
II FASTENED the irrepressible conflict. !
It was not the beginning Of agitation,
but II carried it into the lives and |
homes OF the republic and no issue IL
ever rightly settled until u Is settled /
there. It Is no little source Of sltisfac. |
tion that upon the great question pre- /,
sented i'm these debates while Douglas I
carried the legislature Lincoln had a /
majority Of the people.
FLAME or L1BERTYs TORCH.
The torch Of liberty was not lighted /
here. hut Il famed forth with n broad
or. brighter bolder light as II was lift
cd up by the strong arm OF Abraham
Lincoln.
Three vears-onlv three years-inter-
vencd and the debate was removed
from the arena Of the peaceful discus
sion 10 that of war and carnage. An1 /
then Lincoln and Douglas stood no
lorser divided Sumter was fired upon
April II 1861 ON the l5tn of that
month Lincoln issued HE call FOR 75.001
troops The position n Douglas AZ this
critical iuncture was that n q patriot.
without hating or hesitation he align