Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-01
HE "sToNRD STEPHEN"
A Joint Debate Between lincoln and
thy "LittIe GinMt.,,

ths Little Ginnt."
Professor Smith. for many years SUI
perintendent of the city schools of Bur
fington. la, related to the writer a story
about Lincoln which he claimed has new
er before been printed. and all who knew
that good Nun will testify to his moral
incapacity for coming such II story. His
statement to the writer was that he and
Professor Newton Bateman Of Gales
burg. Ills. were with the speakers on the
platform as members Of the Republican
central committee or as Il subcommittee
to accompany Mr.. Lincoln on this occa-
sion. The incident occurred ut one of
the joint meetings between Stephen n.
Douglas and MIR. Lincoln during the
memorable senatorial campaign Of 1888.
The two gentlemen referred to. Mrs
Douglas and many other persons of dis
tinction were with the speakers on the
platform. douglas opened the debate
with speech oil an hour and IL half. He
seemed To be inspired by the occasion.
the Immediate presence of his wife and
the large aud apprcciativc audience TO
surpass himself. His argument and ora
tory were convincing and oveitpowcring.
His title to the cognomen Little Gil
ant given him by his friends. was fully
demonstrated by his eloquent perform
ance.
AS point after point was made amid
the applause OF his friends and admirers,
they grew more and more confident and
elated. while Lincoln's friends We're cor
respondingiy discouraged and depressed.
SO eloquent and convincing was his add
dress that Professor Smith leaned over
and whispered 10 his friend and col
league. Professor Batcman. Bateman.
we are licked this time. Lincoln can
never answer this address. The crowd is
so carried away with Douglas that it
will be impossible for Lincoln to get a
hearing. :" .Wait aud see, was the re-
ply of Batenlan.
During the delivery Of his opponents
address Mr.. Lincoln sat with his legs
crossed, head bowed. eyes partially closed
und countenance ,s eXpressionless ms
parchment When Douglas had conclud-
ed his address and taken his seat, MIR.
Lincoln remained seated. allowing the
friends of Douglas to cheer and shout to
their hearts content. He then arose and
walked slowly and deliberately to the
front of the platform, raised himself to
his full height and looked over his audi
ence for u little without uttering sylla-
pie. ne lNel began 10 uiIuttou uIu
slowly remove u long linen buster which
covered conventional suit OF black.
After folding it with great care and de
liberation he handed it to some one just
back OF him and said in his clear, pene-
trating voice. that reached every ear in
his now quiet and eNpectant audience,
Young man. hold that while stone Ste.
phen.'
The effect was electrical and all that
Mr.. Lincoln's friends could have desired
Douglas eloquence was forgotten. The
audience was quick to catch the force
and point OF this play on words. They
laughed and cheered and were at once
placed in that receptive attitude that was
necessary for Mr.. Lincoln's successful
rejoinder
Mr.. Lincoln had by this mestcr stroke
of wit secured the good will and kindly
attention of his hearers while he pro
ceeded to stone Stephen with argu-
ments which have permanently enriched
political literature and made the speaker
| the first Republican president Of tho
| United Substituted Presbyterian.