The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-08

authorities. 1t is the cause which lives,
and 1t is the cause which makes the men
identified with it immortal in history.
| Lincoln was the leader of a triumphant
cause. Douglass, though opposed TO
him for a lifetime, supported and
strengthened his arm. Both win be re-
membered 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 established viii endure to per-
;. petuate their names.
ITO Lincoln. who in 1858 was struggling
here against the encroachment OF slavery.
not for its destruction where it existed.
! but against its further extension, was
finally given by the people under the
providence of God. the opportunity and
the power to enthrone liberty in every
| part of the republic
Then followed the Grafton OF the day,
which was delivered by Postmaster Gen
eraI Charles Emory Smith. Mr. Smiths
eloquent tributes to the character and ser
1 vices of both Lincoln and Douglas, and
his "reminiscences of old days in the IL
inois political arena were much appreciat-
ed by the immense crowd of listeners,
some Of whom had been among the audi
ences which in 1858, witnessed the pol
emicaI warfare between the great eman-
| cipator and the champion of popular SOW
/ ereignty.
We are here to commemorate the famous
Lincoln-Douglas debate. On this very
/ spot where we now stand the great COM
batants met forty-one years ago today in
one of the brilliant encounters Of that
! glittering intellectual and political
! tournament. Some of you saw and well
remember the CLEAN and the blows Of the
| flashing swords. 1t is fit that the presi-
dent with his cabinet SHOULD come to
this memorable grounds Here history was
/ made and moulded. Here the two cen
4 tending chieftains Stamped their deep
/ impress on the rushingcurrent of thought
and events which speedily eliminated m
the most gigantic moral and physical
/ conflict of the century.
1.-The debate was worthy of this dis
tinctive commemoration. Itiwas the most
! significant and decisive dual controversy
in our history. The only other fofensie
tourney which can compare with it was
the celebrated discussion of Webster AMI
Hayne nearly forty years ago. Between
| the two there was indeed logical aud
historical connection. The one was TIE
complement and the sequence Of the
other. The Webster ayne debate turn
ed upon the abstract issue of an in l'sso-
luble Union as against the right of NULL
fication and secession. The Lincoln
Douglas debate turned on the concrete
struggle of freedom and slavery which
brought on the war of the rebellion and
put the issue Of union against secession
to the practical test. Neither Lincoln nor
Douglas sought the final and crucial
clash. Both earnestly and anxiously la
bored against it. Each believed that his |
own policy was the true way to avert It.
But their stupenduous contention signi- |
fed and shaped the irrepressible en- |
fict and determined the political align |
ments and divisions which precipitated |
the ultimate and inevitable issue"
Mr.. Smith then sketched the political !
history of the country, a history merely |
of agitation of the question of slavery. |
from the Missouri compromise down to !
the Border war in Kansas and It's chief |
incident the Lecompton constitution, and
continued:
cir eumstan noes that Stephen A. Douglas. !
seeking reelection to the senate, was
challenged and confronted in joint ce-
bate by Abraham Lincoln. In its rela-
tions and influence their discussion mark
ed an epoch in our national history. Mr.
Douglas, then the foremost figure in nuh-
lie life, was placed in n most delicate ana
difficult position. He was leader or tie
northern Democracy. which was affected
by the rising sense of the section on the
question Of slavery. At the same tire.
as believer in party and party govern |
ment-nay, more. as a PATRIOTIC de .irei
to preserve the unity of the partvin both
sections, and as an avowed and ;ns,ff-
able candidate for the presidency he had
every interest in its solidity The con-
ficting tendencies and demands strai1eI
his dexterity to the utmost He Welded
to the exactions that the Missouri rcyn-
promise should be abrOgated and report
ed the Kansas-Nebraska bill with the
fatal provision. He did it upon he plea
that 1t was required by the policy Of BON
intervention in the territories, and accom-
panied it with the doctrine If popular
sovereignty, which, with many, had a
captivating sound. But when the ccrsr:-
racy of the Lecompton constitution rear
ed its head. he refused to go fur 1er with
it, and went forth like another IEercu-
les and slew It. More than any other IN
fuence, more than all other forces. his
single-handed and intrepid warflre. in de-
fiance of the administration and the
south. saved Kansas from that iniauity.
These varying attitudes brouzh. fuctuat-
- =
in the repeal Of the Missouri
compromise offended the sentiment nhich
ta3 rested IN that sacred settle aeAt. and
exposed him tc reprOach suI ohlo1av.
I'ut his heroic resistance 70 the Le..~rrr-
ten wrong Vile estranging he sodth.
reirs;Sted hin in me esteem Of HIS cEn
secti5T. ard c:5v -ed him with re halo
Of a fearless fighter and vis-D-.ous
champion Of risht.
Fresh from that triumphant but haz-
ardous battle, Douglas came 20 the con-
test and debate over his reelection. He
came 70 it with extraordinary powers for
such a trial He was the most facile and |
trenchant debator OF the day He had un-
-ivailed skill in parrying attack and de-
ivering blows. He was fertile and re-
sourceful. quick TO see any open joint in
he aTmor Of his opponent and def in
piercing IL His oratory, while rarely ris-
NJ TO eloqueace was direct. lucid. pun
gent and sincwy. He swaye5 the masses
lot by the graees OF rhetoric or the fights
y fancy. out by mis- his virile strength. I
rs robust logic and his vehement lnten-
Iity.
His antagonist vas OF an altogether
iinerent mold. M Lincoln had then no !
'uch personal prestige as his rival. He