The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-01-31
Letter from virginia.
Wigsins. w. Va.
Junuarv Oh ION

~ january ~, lWO
Your correspondent has entered his SOth
I year under favorable auspices barring the
loss of his right eve and he can say with
the sweet singer df Israel, surely goodness
and mercy have followed me all The days
OF my Iifo."
We have 10 chronicle another death in
Big Band Tunnel Owing to foul air this
makes the third railroad employee who
has met his death by want Of proper ven-
Silatlon of the tunnel.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company
having controlling interest in the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad changes of i'm
portance nrs looked for shortly.
We have had warm weather This season
the mercury for the past seven or eight
days aver ,ging SO degrees.
The ar. us churches have experienced d
revival, an quite number have been re-
oeivei In these who 1t is hoped will ba
active members.
can't do be' ter than to finish my letter
with the following:
He stoned Stephen" Professor Smith
for many years superintendent of the City
schools at Burlington, Iowa, tells a story
about Linco.n which he claimed had never
befO'o been related, and all who knew that
good man will testify to his moral inca
paclty for coinins such story. He says
: mt he and Professor Newton Batemau Of
GFeensblrg. lilinois, were with the speak,
ers "n tue platform. ls members of the Re.
publican Central Committee to accompany
MIR. Lincoln on this occasion.
The incident occurred at one Of the joint
meetings between Stephen A. Douglass
md Mr. Lincoln during the memorable
campaign OF 1859.
The two gentlemen referred to and many
other persons Of di,tlnc lou wora with tho
speakers on tho platform, Douglass open.
ed he debate with speech of an hour and
half.
He seemed to be inspired by the occasion
the immediate presence OF his wife and
larsB and appreciative audience to surpass
himself.
His argument and oratory were convlnc-
Ing and oyerp 'werlng. HIS u 10 to the
oognomen of Little giant" given him by
his friends was fully demonstrated by his
ELOQUENT performances. As point after
point was made amid the applause of his
friends and imirerI they lgrewsmoce and
more confident and olated, while Lincoln's
friends were correspondinglyd discouraged
aud depressed. So eloquent and conyinc.
Ing was hi' address that Pfufe ,sor Smith
leaned over and whispered to his friends
and colleague Professor Bateman, Bate
man, were licked this time Lincoln can
never answer this address, the crowd is so
carried away with Dou glass, that il will be
impossible for Lincoln to get n hearing"
w ait unl sce'' was the reply Of Bntemnn.
During the delivery of bis opponents
ad1re 3 Lincoln sat with his legs crossed,
herd bowed, eyes partially closed and
countenance as exDressonlesS u! Darch-
mant. When Douglass had concluded his
address and taken his seat Mr.. Lincoln re-
man.d seated allowing the friends of Mr..
Douglass to cheer and shout to their
henrt's content
tie then aro.e and walked slowly and
delibera ely to the front Of the platform.
raised himself to his full height and look
ed over his audience for II while without
nttering syllable. Ho then began to un-
bntton and slowly remove his long linen
dnster, which covered ccnveu ional suit
OF black
After folding 1t with care and dalihsr..
alton, h banded 1t to some one lust lack
OF hiu and said in his clear. penetrating
voice, Young man hold tha5 while stone
Stephen
The effect was electrical and nll tina Mir.
Lincolns friends could hrye desired The
elbquence of Douglass wa for gotten, the :
audience was quick to catch the force ana
point ON this play Cn words. They laughed
md cheered and vera at once placed in
that receptive attitude for Mr. LincOln's |
sHecessful seioinder Mr.. Lincoln had by !
Ms master stoke Of wit secured tho good |
VIII ana kindly attention Of his hearers |
while he proceeded to s5one Stephen with
arguments which have permanently en-
fiehet pnIit.cAl iitera uru and made The
speaker the first Republican President Of
tho United Stutes. W. B. W.