Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-12-15
LINCOLN STONED STEPHEN"
Incident of the Joint Debate Between
Him and Douglas.

Prof. Smith, for many years Super1n-
tendent of the city schools of Burling-
ton, Iowa. related to the writer a story
about Lincoln which he claimed has
never before been printed, and all who
knew that good man will testify to his
moral incapacity for coming such
story. His statement to the writer was
that he and Prof. Newton Bateman of
Galesburg, ILL.,, We're with the speakers
on the platform, as members of the
republican central committee or as
subcommittee to accompany Mr.. Lin
coin on this occasion. The incident oc-
CURED at one of the Joint meetings be-
tween Stephen A. Douglas and Mr..
Lincoln, during the memorable Sena-
torial campaign of 1859.
The two gentlemen referred to, Mrs.
Douglas and many other persons of
distinction, We're with the speakers on
the platform. Douglas opened the de-
bate with a speech of an hour and a
half. He seemed 20 be inspired by the
occasion, the immediate presence of his
wife and the large and appreciative au-
dience to surpass himself. His argu-
ment and oratory were convincing and
overpowering. His title TO the cogno-
men, Little Giant" given him by his
friends, was fully demonstrated by his
eloquent performance.
AS point after point was made amid
the applause of his friends and admir-
ers, they grew more and more confident
and elated, while Lincoln's friends
were correspondingly discouraged and
depressed. So eloquent and convincing
was his address that Prof Smith lean
ed over and whispered to his friend and
colleague, Prof. Bateman: "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 and see," was the
reply of Bateman.
During the delivery of mis- opponents
address Mr.. Lincoln sat with legs
crossed, head bowed, eyes partially
closed and countenance as expression
less as parchment. When Douglas had
concluded his address and taken his
seat Mr.. Lincoln remained seated, al
lowing the friends of Douglas to cheer
and shout to their hearts content. He
then arose and walked slowly and de-
liberately to the front of the Platform,
raised himself to his full height and
looked over his audience for a little
without uttering a syllable. He then
began to unbutton and slowly remove
long linen buster which covered a con-
ventional suit of black. After folding
it with great care and elaboration, he
handed it to some one just back of him
and said in his clear, penetrating voice.
that reached every ear in his now quiet
and expectant audience: Young man,
hold that while I stone Stephen"
The effect was electrical and all that
Mr.. Lincoln's friends could have de-
sired. Douglass eloquence was forgot
ten. 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..
Lincolns successful rejoinder.
Mr.. Lincoln had. by this master
stroke of wit, secured the good will
and kindly attention of his hearers
while he proceeded to "stone Stephen
with arguments which have perma-
nently enriched political literature and
made the speaker the first republican
president of the United Substituted
Presbyterian.