The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-08
And Of Douglass Action I'm Aligning
Himself with the Union When
the Critical Hour Came.
VIEWS OF SMITH AND HAY
WHO ALSO EULOGIZED THE sERv-
ICES OF LINCOLN AND DOUGLASS.
Brief Addresses by Mckinley at Ke-
While En- Route to Chicago.

GALESBURG. H., Oct. Ton the campus
Of historic Knox College, where forty-one
years ago Abraham Lincoln and stephen "A.
Douglas met In one Of memorable series
OF debates 10 determine which should oc-
cupy q seat in the United States Senate,
President Mckinley and Postmaster Gen.
eral Charles Emory Smith this morning de-
livered stirring addresses commemorative
of the contest between those two great
leaders OF former days. The citizens of
Galesburg turned out en- masse to honor
the President OF the United States and the
members of his Cabinet, and an opportunity
was given them to greet their distinguished
guests as they were driven in carriages
through the streets OF the city before the
exercises at the college began.
The escort to the President, under COM
mand of Capt. Charles c. Craig. met Mr..
Mckinley at the residence of Col. Clarke E.
Carr. minister to Denmark during the ad-
ministration Of President Harrison. where
he spent the night In the carriage with
the President were Colonel Clark, Mayor
Carney and Justice W. Fred Craig. of the
Illinois Supreme Court. The members OF
the Cabinet. In company with DIR. John II.
Finley. former president of Knox College,
and other prominent citizens of Galesburg,
followed IN a long line Of carriages. Every
where along the line of march the en-
thusiasm Of the people was unbounded, and
when the college campus was reached the
President received an enthusiastic ovation.
Colonel Carr presided over the exercises
and the invocation was delivered by DIR.
c. K. Nash, president of Lombard Uni
versity. Congressman George w. Prince
welcomed the President TO the Tenth con-
gressional district and the greeting on be-
half of the people of Illinois was spoken
by Senator Shelby NJ. Cullom.
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
The brief speech OF the President was
listened TO with the closest attention
and punctuated throughout its delivery
with outbursts of applause The President
said:
Mr.. Chairman and my Fellow-citizens-
The time and place make this meeting men,
orabie.. Forty-one years ago on this spot
two mighty leaders, representing opposite
ideas, contended for mastery before the
h'cb 5rs5gne ,,S Of the People ct, II was contest
some are yet living 10 tell of its interesting
and thrilling story. 1t has been recited
around the family fireside until to the peo-
pie of Illinois 1t 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 per-
Sation. SSadisa.iy Incorporated IN the life of the
connected in the public mind. They were in
antagonism for more than a generation
over the Interpretation of the Constitution,
and were united at last when the Constitu-
tfon 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 inviolability and for
the inseparability of the Union ii estab-
hshed- The one asserted the right of slav-
cry. under certain conditions, to enter the
Territories; the other disputed that right
under any conditions; but both agreed that
the slave power should not divide the
Union: The debate was national and his
toricaL II commanded profound attention.
1t interested all sections IL was watched
with deepest anxiety by the followers OF
public discussion before or since. 1t pre-
sented the best OF two conflicting schools
or thought It was epoch-making and
marked an epoch in our history. IL touched
the public conscience 1t influenced public
thought and purpose 1t made the issue
impossible OF escape; ii could be no longer
avoided or evaded. 1t united the friends Of
liberty as well as those of slavery. 1t has
tened the irrepressible conflict 1t was not
the beginning OF the agitation, but it carried
and no Issue is ever rightly settled until it
is settled there.
1T is no little source Of satisfaction that
upon the great question presented in these
debates. while Douglas carried the Legis-
lature. Lincoln had majority OF the peo-
pie. The torch Of liberty was not lighted
here. but IL famed forth with a broader,
brighter, bolder light as II was lifted up by
the strong arm Of Abraham Lincoln. Three
years-oniy three years-intervened, and the
debate was removed from the arena of
peaceful discussion TO that of war and car
mage And then Lincoln and Douglas stood
April T ~ lssi. on the i5th Of ~ that r9u month %
lincoln issued his call for 1900 troops The
position Of Douglas at this critical juncture
" he asned hmsef on tbs siSs S
OF the national government and threw the
force or his great personality in support OF
memorable visit 10" TO Lincoln. LIN E Immediately M aiy
after the first call for volunteers, he die
tated 70 the representative of the Associ-
April IS. 1ss1--Senator Douglas called
on the President and had an Interesting
conversation on the present condition OF
the country. The substance of IL was on
the part OF Mr.. Douglas. that while he was
unalterabfy opposed TO the administration
In al its political issues. he was prepared
TO fully sustain the President I'm the exer-
else Of all his constitutional functions TO
preserve the Union. maintain the govern
ment and defend the federal capital.
nrm policy and prompt action was neces-
sary- The capital was in danger and must
be defended at all hazards and at any ex-
pense or men and money. He spoke Of the
present and future without any reference
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 dis
solution OF the Union. He was for the flag
and for its cause and the brave men who
carried II had his blessing and prayers His
patriotic course was a mighty factor in
moiding Union sentiment and in uniting the
patriotism OF the country and should serve
as az example of good citizenship and an
inspiration 10 duty.
Though Douglas espoused a cause
doomed TO defeat. yet his name was cher
ished by patriots everywhere because when
the test came he was found supporting the
government and advising his followers 70
<9pnole sne e4n~fitutec authorities. II Is the