New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-08
ADDRESSES IN GALESBTRG.
PRESIDENT AND POSTMASTER GENERAL
SPEAK WHERE LINCOLN AND
DOUGLAS DEBATED

memorable series Of debates to determine which
should occupy seat IN the United States SEN
ate President Mckinley and Postmaster Gen
eral Charles Emory Smith this morning deiv-
cred stirring addresses concentrating the con-
test between those two great leaders Of former
DAYS The citizens of Galesburg turned out In
body 10 honor the President and the members
~ the Cabinet. and opportunity was given them
20 greet their guests they were driven IN car
riages through the streets Of the city before the
exercises at the college began
The escort 10 the President under command
81 Captain Charles c Craig, met Nh Mckinley
Of the home Of Colonel Clark Z Carr Minister
- Denmark in the Administration of President
Harrison. where he spent the night In the car
riaee With the President We're Colonel Carr,
Mayor Carney and Justice Alfred # Craig. of
the Illinois Supreme Court The members Of the
cabinet IN company With Dr. John u Finley,
formerly president Of Knox College and other
prominent citizens of Galesburg. followed in
long line Of carriages Everywhere along The
line OF march the enthusiasm Of the people was
unhounded. and when the college campus was
reached the President received q warm welcome
Colonel Carr presided over the exercises and
PRAYER was offered by Dr c f. Nash. president
ot Lombard University Congressman George
v. Prince welcomed the President 20 the Xth
Coneress District and the greeting ON behalf
of the people Of Illinois was spoken ny Senator
Shelby VI. Culiom.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
The brief speech Of the President was heard
with close attention. and nunctuated with ap-
pause The President said
Nlr Chairman and NV Fellow Citizens The
time and place make this meeting memorable
FnrtT-one years ago on this spot two mighty
leaders representing opposing IDEAS. conteuded
for mastery before the tribune Of the people. j
was contest which history VIII not fail 10
record and some are living yet To tell Of its
interesting and thrilling story II has been re-
cited around the family fresice until TO the
people Of Illinois # has become household
tale inspiring love Of liberty and devotion -
free institutions Here therefore are sacred
memories which will be cherished by this COM
munity for all time. and are permanently moor
porate5 IN th- life of the Nation. Lincoln and
Douglas are inseparablv connected In the public
mind Their association began in conflict and
ended IN cooperation. They were IN antago-
nism for more than a generation over the inter
probation Of the Constitution. and We're united
~ last when the Constitution itself was assailed
They might differ. as they did over the meaning
OF some Of its provisions but when the crisis
came they stood together for its nViolahilty
and for the nseparabihty Of the Union il
tablished The one asserted the right OF slavery
under certain conditions 10 enter the Terri
tories. the other disputed that right under any
conditions. bat both agreed that the slave
power should not divide the Union. The debate
profound attention. II interested all sections
II vas watched with deepest anxiety 10y the fol-
lowers Of both II was read and studied as no
other public discussion before or since II pre-
scented the best Of TWO conflicting schools Of
epoch in our histor, II toucbed The rutIic con-
science II Influenced public thought and pur-
pos It made the issue impossible Of escape il
could no longer be avoided or evaded II united
the friends of liberty AS well as those Of slavery
l. fastened the irrepressibe conflict
II was not the beginning Of agitation hut It
carried IT into the lives and homes Of the Re
public and no issue is ever rightly settled until
II - settled there j. IS little source Of salts
faction that upon the great question presented
IN these debates, while Douglas carried the Leg
islature, Lincoln had majority OF the people.
The torch Of liberty was not lighted here. but
Il famed forth with broader. brighter. bolder
isht as II was lifted up bv the strong arm Of
Abraham Lincoln.
Three years-only three years interviewed and
The debate was removed from the arena Of the
peaceful discussion % that Of war and carnage.
And then Lincoln and Douglas stood no longer
divided Sumter was fired Oh April T.. ISL.
on the 10Th Of that month Lincoln issued his
call for seyenty-fve thousand troops The posi-
ton Of Douglas at this critical jUncture was
that Of Il patriot Without 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 Executive.
Upon the occasion Of his memorable visit 70
Lincoln Immediately after the first call for vol
unteers, he dictated 70 the representative Of The
Associated Press dispatch in these words
Senator Douglas called on me President and had
interesting conversation on the present .O.44-
Iari Of Mr. Douglas. was that while lie was IN
aterably opposed 10 the Administrative in - IT,
POLITICAL issues. he was prepared 70 fully sustain
Honal functions 10 preserve the Union. maintain
the Government and deiead ne Ira .....-
The capital was ~ doneer. and must 1e defended
Al all hez rds and a. any expense o. me- p ld
ont any reference To the past.
He no longer considered party. His sole CON
Germ was for his country. He had no sympathy
with our enemies IN the North. who openly or
secretly counsclled the dissolution Of the Union.
He for The flag and for us cause. and the
brave men who carried u had his blessing and
prayers His patriotic course was a mighty
factor IN moulding Union sentiment and IN unit
ing the patriotism OF the country. and should
serve ae an example ~ good citizenship and an
inspiration 10 duty.
defeat Yet his name was cherished 10y patriots
everywhere because when the test came he was
found supporting the Government and advising
lis followers 10 uphold The constituted author
ries II is the cause which lives. and II is the
cause which makes the men identified with IT
immortal in history Lincoln was the leader ~
tie triumphant cause. Douglas, though opposed
- him f0r lifetime. supported and strength
eued his arm Both viii be- remembered long
est. not for Tie debate. but for NOR pr, I'D me
mighty events which ensu"d They viii live be-
cause the Onion which was saved and the lih-
crty which ~ae established vin endure 10 per
TO Lincoln. Who I'M 1873 vas struggling here
AGAINST the cncroachment ~ slavery. not for is
Obstruction where It existed. but against its
further extension was finally given by the peo-
plc under N" providence Of GOD The opportunity
and The power - onthroro liberty in every part
a. the Republic.
POSTMASTER GENERALS GRAFTON
Then followed the GRAFTON of the DAY which /
vas delivered los Postmaster General smith '
MIR Smiths eloquent tributes 10 the character .
and services of Lincoln and Douglas and his
"reminiscences ~ carly days IN the illinois polit-
Zeal arena were much appreciated by the inn I