The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-12-26
HE "STONED STEPHEN"
a Joint Debate Between Lincoln and
the Little Giant"

a Joint Debate Between Lincoln and
the "LittIe Giant"
Professor Smith, for many years SUI
pcrintendent of the city schools of Bur-
iiuglon, Ia, related TO the writer a story
about Lincoln which he claimed has new
or before been printed, and all who knew
that good man will testify to his moral
incapaciiy for coming such a story. His
statement to the writer WAS that he and
Professor Newton Batcman Of Gales
burg, His, We're with the speakers on the
platform as members of the Republican
central committee or as subcommittee
to accompany Mr.. Lincoln on this occa-
sion. The incident occurred at one of
the joint meetings between Stephen A.
Douglas and Mr.. Lincoln during the
memorable senatorial campaign of 1859.
The two gentlemen referred to, Mrs.
Douglas and many other persons of dis
tiuction were with the speakers on the
patfo Douglas opened the debate
with a speech of an hour and a half. Ho
seemed to be- inspired by the occasion,
the immediate presence of his wife and
the large and apprcciative audience to
surpass himself His argument and ora
tory were convincing and overpowering.
His title to the cognomen Little Gil
ant" given him by his friends, was fully
demonstrated by his eloquent perform
ancc.
AS point after point was made amid
the applause of his friends and admirers,
they grew more and more confident and
clated, willie Lincon's friends were cor
respondingly discouraged and depressed.
SO eloquent and convincing was his ad-
dress that Professor Smith leaned over
aud whispered to his friend and col
league, Professor 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
hearing" wait and see," was the re-
ply of Bateman.
During the delivery Of his opponents
address Mr.. Lincoln sat with his legs
crossed head bowed, eyes partially closed
and countenance as eXpressionless as
parchment. When Douglas had conclud
ed his address and taken his seat, Mr..
Lincoln remained seated. allowing the
friends of Doubas to cheer and shout to
their hearts content. He then arose and
walked slowly and deliberately to the
front OF the platform, raised himself to
his full height and looked over his audi
ence for little without uttering a sylla-
BILE. He then began TO unbutton and
slowly remove long linen duster which
covered conventional suit Of black.
After folding it with great care and de-
liberation lie handed it to some one just
back Of him and said in his clear, pene-
trailing voice, that reached every ear in
his now quiet and expectant audience,
young man, hold that while | stone Ste
phcn.'
The effect was electrical and all that
alr. Lincoln's friends could have desired.
Douglas cloquence was forgotten. 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.. Lincoln's successful
rcjoinder
Mr.. Lincoln had by this master stroke
of wit secured the good will and kindly
attention of his hearers while he pro-
ceeded to "stone Stephen with argu-
ments which have permanently enriched
political literature and made the speaker
the first Republican president of the
United Substituted Presbyterian.