The times., 1899-10-08

united at last when the Constitution itself
was assailed. They might differ. as they
did over the meaning of some OF its pro-
visions, but when the crisis came they
stood together for its inyioiability and for
the inseparability of the Union il estab
lished. The one asserted the right of slaY-
cry under certain conditions to enter the
Territories. the other disputed that right
under any conditions but both agreed that
the slave power should not divide the
Union. The debate was national and his
torical. 1t commanded profound attention.
Ii interested all sections. II was watched
with the deepest anxiety By the followers
Of both Ii was read and studied as no
other public discussion before or since. 1t
presented the best two conflicting schools
OF thought.
1t was epoch-making and marked an
epoch in our history. 1t touched the pub
lie conscience, it influenced public thought
and purpose. 1t made the issue impossi-
bic TO escape: il could no longer be avoided
or evaded, it united the friends of liberty
as well as those of slavery. It hastened
the irrepressible conflict. it was not the
beginning OF the agitation, but it carried
it into the lives and homes of the Republic
and no issue is ever rightly settled until it
is settled there. 1t is no little source of
satisfaction that upon the great question
presented in these debates, while Douglas
carried the legislature, Lincoln had ma
jority of the people. The torch of liberty
was not lighted here, but it famed forth
with a broader. brighter, bolder light as
it was lifted up by the strong arm of
Abraham Lincoln. Three years, only three
years, interyened and the debate was re-
moved from the arena Of peaceful ses-
sion to that OF war and carnage, and then
Lincoln and Douglas stood no longer Ill
yided
Sumter was fired on April Il, 1861.
On the 18th of that month Lincoln is
sued his call for seventyfve thousand
troops. The position of Douglas at this
critical juncture was that of a patriot.
Without halting or hesitating he aligned
himself upon the side of the National Gov
ernment and threw the force of his great
personality in support of the Executive.
| Upon the occasion of his memorable visit
to Lincoln Immediately after the first
call for volunteers he dictated to the
representatives of the press a dispatch in
these words:
april IS. 1861.
Senator Douglas called on the Presi-
dent and had an interesting conversation
The substance of it was, on the part of
Mr.. Douglas. that while he was unaltera-
| bly, opposed to the Administration III all
! its political issues, he was prepared to
| fully sustain the President in the exer-
| else of all his executive functions to pre-
serve the Union. maintain. the Government.
and defend the Federal capital A firm
policy and prompt action was necessary.
The capital was in danger and must be de-
| Tended at all hazards and at any expense
of men and money
''He spoke of the present and the future
without any reference TO the past He no
longer considered party. His sole concern
was for his country. He had no sympathy
with our enemies in the North who openly
/ or secretly counseled the dissolution of the
Union. He was for the flag and for its
cause, and the brave men who carried it had
his blessing and prayers.
His patriotic course was a mighty factor
in moiding Union sentiment and in uniting
the patriotism of the country and should
serve as an example of good citizenship and
an inspiration to duty. Though Douglas
espoused cause doomed to defeat, yet his
name viii be cherished by patriots every
where because when the test came he was
found supporting the Government and mar
shaling his followers TO uphold the Consti-
tuition"
Then followed the Grafton of the day,
which was delivered by Postmaster General
| Charles Emory Smith. Mr. Smiths elo-
quent tributes TO the character and ser
vices of both Lincoln and Douglas. and
his "reminiscences of old days in the Illi-
nois political arena, were much appreciated
by. the immense crowd of listeners. some
OF whom had been among the audiences
which, in 1855, witnessed the polemic war
/ fare between the great emancipation and
the champion of popular sovereignty
At the conclusion Of the exercises,
shortly before noon, the Presidential party
boarded the train for Chicago