The San Francisco call., 1899-10-08
PRESIDENTS SPEECH ON A
FAMOUS DEBATING GROUND

GALESBURG, Ill, Oct. 7-On the cam
pus of historic Knox College. where
forty-one 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 General Emory Smith this
morning delivered stirring addresses,
commemorative of the contest between
the two great leaders of former days.
The citizens of Galesburg turned out en-
masse to honor the President and the
members Of his Cabinet.
Congressman George w. Prince well
coined the President to the Tenth Con-
gressional District, and the greeting on
the part Of the people of Illinois was
spoken by General Shelby NJ. Cullom. The
brief speech of the President was listened
to with the closest attention and pune
tuated throughout its delivery with out
bursts of applause. The President said:
Mr. Chairman and My Fellow Citizens:
The time and place make this meeting
memorable. Forty-one years ago on this
spot two mighty leaders representing op-
posing ideas contended for mastery before
the tribune of the people. 1t was d contest
which history will not fail to record and
some are yet living to tell Of its interest
ing and thrilling story. 1t has been re-
cited around the family freside until to
the people Of Illinois it has become a
household tale, inspiring love of liberty
and devotion to free institutions. Here,
therefore, are sacred memories which will
be cherished by this community for all
time and are permanently incorporated in
the life of the nation. Lincoln and Doug
las are inseparably connected with the
public mind. Their association began in
conflict and ended in cooperation. They
a generation over the interpreta-
ton Of the constitution, and We're
united at last when the consu-
tuition 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 in
volatility and for the inseparability of
the Union Il established. The one assert
ed the right of slavery under certain con-
ditions to enter the 1erritories-the oJner
disputed that right under any conditions;
should not divide the Union. The debate
was national and historical. 1t COM
manded profound attention. 1t interested
all sections. 1t was watched with deep
was read and studied as no other public
discussion before or since 1t presented
the best of two conflicting schools of
thought. 1t was epoch-making and marked
an epoch in our history. 1t touched the
public conscience. 1t influenced public
thought and purpose. 1t made the issue
longer avoided or evaded. 1t united the
friends of liberty as we'll as those of
slavery. It hastened the 1rrepressible
conflict 1t was not the beginning Of the
and homes of the republic, and no issue
is ever rightly settled until 1t is settled
there. It is no. little source of satisfac-
ton that upon the great question present
ed in these debates while Douglas car
ried the Legislature Lincoln had
majority of the people The torch Of lib,
forth with a broader, brighter bolder
light, as it was lifted up by the strong
arm Of Abraham Lincoln.
Three years-only three years-inter-
vened, and the debate was removed from
the arena OF peaceful discussion to that
Of war and carnage And then Lincoln
Sumter was fired on April u, 1861. On the
18th of that month Lincoln issued his call
for 1900 troops. The position of Doug
las at this critical juncture was that of
a patriot. Without halting or hesitating
he aligned himself on the side of the
National Government and threw the force
of his great personality in support of the
executive. Upon the occasion of his mem
orable visit to Lincoln, Immediately after
the first call for volunteers, he dictated
to the representative of the Associated
Press a dispatch in these words:
April IS, 1S61.-Senator Douglas called
on the President and had an interesting
conversation on the present condition of
the country. The substance of it was, on
the part Of Mr.. Douglas, that while he
was unalterably opposed to the admins
tration in all its political issues he was
prepared 10 lUlly SuSldlll the 9reSlQeDL IN
the exercise Of all his constitutional func-
tions to preserve the Union, maintain the
Government and defend the Federal CAPT
tai. A firm policy and prompt action were
necessary. The capital was in danger and
must be defended at all hazards and at
any expense of men and money. He spoke
of the present and future without any
reference to the past.
HE no longer considered party. His
sole consideration was for his country.
He had no sympathy with our enemies in
the North who openly or secretly coun-
seled the dissolution Of the Union. He
was for the flag. and for it's cause and the
brave men who carried 1t 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 exampie
of good citizenship and an inspiration to
duty.
Though Douglas espoused a cause
doomed to defeat, yet his name is cher
ished by patriots everywhere, because
when the test came he was found sup
porting the Government and advising his
followers to uphold the constituted au-
II Is the cause which makes the men iden-
titled with 1t immortal in history. Lin |
coin was the leader OF the triumphant
cause. Douglas, though opposed to him
for a lifetime, supported and strength |
ened 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 es- |,
tablished will endure to perpetuate their
names.
ITO Lincoln, who in 1858 was strug- |
Cling here against the encroachment Of |
not for Its destruction where It |