The record-union., 1899-10-08
.SOlUTEEY PURE

divided On the 18th of that month Lin
coin issued his call for 5000 troops.
The position of Douglas at this criti-
cal juncture was that of q patriot.
Without hating or heSitating he align
ed himself upon the side of the Ma
tfonal Government and threw the force
of his great personality in support of
the Executive. Upon the occasion of
his memorable visit to Lincoln, immedi-
ately after the first call for volunteers,
he dictated to the representative of the
Associated Press a dispatch in these
words:
April Is, 1861. - Senator Douglas
called on the President and had an in
teresting conversation on the present
condition of the country. The sub
stance of it was, on the part of Mr..
Douglas, that while he was unalter-
ably opposed to the Administration in
all it's political issues, he was pre-
pared to fully sustain the President in
the exercise of all his constitutional
functions to preserve the Union, main
tain the Government, and defend the
Federal Capital. A firm policy and
prompt action was necessary. The Cap
ital was in danger and must be de-
Tended at all hazards, and at any eX-
pense of men and money. He spoke
of the present and future, without ref
erence 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.
q fcy, ha
and the brave men who carried it had
his blessing and prayers. His patriotic
course was a mighty factor in molding
Union sentiment and in uniting the
patriotism of the country, and should
serve as an example of good citizen
ship and an inspiration to duty.
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 ad
vising his followers to uphold the con-
stituted authorities. 1t is the cause
which lives. and it is the cause which
makes the men identified with it ini
mortal in history. Lincoln was the
leader of the triumphant cause Doug
|
time, supported and strengthened his
arm. Both will be remembered long
est, not for the debate, but for their
part in the mighty events which en-
sued. They will live because the Union
which was saved and the liberty
which was established will endure to
perpetuate their names
ITO Lincoln who, in 1865, was strug-
Cling here against the encroachment of
slavery, not for its destruction where
it existed, but against it's further ex-
tension, was finally given by the peo-
pie under the Providence of God the
opportunity and the power to en-
throne liberty in every part of the Re-
public"
Then followed the oration of the day,
delivered by Postmaster General
Charles Emory Smith.
Mr. Smiths eloquent tributes to the
character and service of both Lincoln
and Douglas and his "reminiscences of
old days in the Illinois political arena
were much appreciated by the immense
crowd of listeners, some of whom had
been among the audience which in 1893
witnessed the polemic warfare between
the great emancipator and the cham
pion of popular sovereignty.
Postmaster General Charles Emory
Smith spoke as follows:
I'VE are here to commemorate the
famous Lincoln-Douglas debate. On
the very spot where we now stand the
great combatants met forty-one years
ago to-day in one of the brilliant en-
counters of that glittering intellectual
and political tournament
The speaker followed the events
which led up to that battle of giants,
analyZed the arguments made and the
aims which prompted the combatants.
He paid an eloquent tribute to the ex-
alted patriotism of Douglas, who, after
being the antagonist of Lincoln for
years in State and national politics,
rallied his legion of friends to the sup
port of the President when he saw at
last that the life of the Union was in
danger.
OF Lincoln he said: But you cannot
think of Lincoln as any other than
characteristic and unmistakable Amer
lean. He was copied from no model,
and founded on no example. He blend
ed and accentuated the recognized
American traits, and stands out before
the world as pre-eminently the Amerl-
can of Americans.
He was equally skilled in leading
the leaders, and in getting into the
hearts of the plain people. No other
American ever SO thoroughly under
stood or came SO close to the great
throbbing masses. He sprang from
their ranks and he continued to be
their soul. Concentrate the genius OF
the common people, in one grand i'll
carnation, refining and sublimating
their brave alteration, and you call 1t
Abraham Lincoln. He had at once the
flavor of the soil and the flight of the
stars. When he rose to large endeaVor,
he had what seemed to be almost dl-
vine inspiration.
He did not seek to force the decree
of destiny, but when it was revealed
by the uplifted curtain he had the
moral strength to execute. If he were
President to-day he would maintain
the honor of the flag, uphold the dig
nifty of the nation, and advance It's
high mission of liberty humanity ana
civilization, as his faithful successor Is
doing. His example and his inspiration
a iran Thn fiOn or