The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-08
LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS.
Memorable Debates Re-
viewed by President and
Party at GaIasburg.

Galesburg, ILL.,, Oct. Ton the campus
of historic Knox college, where, Al years
ago, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A.
Douglas met in one of a memorable
series of debates, to determine which
should occupy a seat in the United
States Senate, President Mckinley and
Postmaster-G General Charles Emory
Smith today delivered stirring address,
es commemorative of the contest be-
tween those two great leaders of former
days. The citizens of GalesbLrg turned
out enmasse to honor the president of
the United States and members of the
cabinet
Congressman George w. Prince wei
coined the president to the 10th con-
gressional district, and the greeting Ola
behalf Of the people of Illinois was
spoken by Senator Shelby M Cllllom.
The president said:-
Lincoln and Douglas were lnsepara-
bly, connected in the public mind. Their
association began in conflict and ended
in cooperation. They We're in antagon-
ism for more than a generation over
the Interpretation Of the constitution,
stltution itself was assailed. They
might differ, as they did, over the
meaning of some of it's provisions, but
when the crisis came, they stood to-
gether for It's inviolability and for the
inseparability of the union established.
The one asserted the right of slavery
under certain conditions, to enter the
territories-the other disputed that
right under any conditions; but both
no fIf c,le c511a n
not divide the union, The debate was
national and historical. 1t commanded
profound attention, 1t interested all
sections 1t was watched with deep
est anxiety by the followers of both.
1t was read and studied as no other
public question before or since. 1t
presented the best two conflicting
schools OF thought 1t was epoch
making and marked an epoch in our
history.
THE torch of liberty was not lighted
here, but it famed forth with a broad
er, holder light, as it was lifted UP by
the strong arm of Abraham Lincoln
Three years--only three years-in-
tervened and the debate was removed
from the arena of peaceful discussion
to that of war carnage. And then Lin
coin and Douglas stood no loager divi-
ded. Su inter- was fired upon, on April
coin issued his call for $4,000 troops.
The position of Douglas at this critical
juncture was that of a patriot. With
out hating or hesitation he aligned
himself upon the side of the national
government and threw the force of his
great personality in support of the ex-
ecutive.
Though Douglas espoused a cause
doomed to defeat, yet his name was
cherished by patriots everywhere, be-
cause, when the test came, he was
found supporting the government and
advising his followers to uphold the
constituted authorities. 1t is the cause
which lives and it is the cause which
makes the men identified with it i'm
mortal in history. Lincoln was leader
of the triumphant cause, Douglas
supported and strengthened his arm.
Both will be remembered longest, not
for the debate, but for their part in the
mighty events which ensued. They
will live, because the union which was
saved and the liberty which was estab-
lfshed will endure to- perpetuate their
names"
Then followed the Grafton of the day,
which was delivered by Postmaster
! General Charles Emory Smith.