Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-17
A NEW LINCOLN STORY.
A Good Piece of Acting Which Won
Over the Big Crowd.

n
| Prof. Smith, for many years superin-
! tendent Of the city schools Of Burling-
ton, Iowa, related TO the writer a story
about Lincoln which he asserted has
never before been printed, and all who
! knew that good man will testify to his
moral incapacity for coming such
story. His statement 10 the writer was
that he and Prof Newton Bateman Of
Galesburg, ILL.,, were with the speakers
on the platform, as members Of the Re-
publican central committee. or as a
subcommittee to accompany Mr. Lin
coin on this occasion. The incident oc-
CURED at one Of the joint meetings be-
tween stephen A. Douglas and Mr.. Lin
coin, during the memorable senatorial
campaign in 1859.
The two gentlemen referred to. Mr..
Douglas and many other persons Of dis
tlnction were with the speakers on the
platform. Douglas opened the debate
with a speech Of an hour and a half.
He seemed to be inspired by the &C.
casion, the immediate presence Of his
wife and the large and appreclatlye au-
dlence, TO surpass himself. His argu-
ment and oratory were convincing and
oyerpowering His title to the cogno-
men Little Giant" given him by his
friends was fully demonstrated by his
eloquent performance.
As point after point was made amid
the applause Of his friends and admir-
ers, they grew more and more conf
dent and elated, while Lincolns friends
were correspondingly discouraged and
depressed. SO eloquent and convincing
was his address that Prof. Smith leaned
over and whispered 10 his friend and
colleague, Prof Bateman. "Bateman,
we are licked this time. Lincoln can
never answer this address; the crowd Is
so carried away with Douglas that IL
viii be impossible for Lincoln TO get a
hearing" Walt and see," was the re-
ply Of Bateman.
During the delivery Of his opponents
address Mr.. Lincoln sat with legs
crossed head bowed. eyes partially
closed and countenance as expression
less as parchment. When Douglas had
concluded his address and taken his
seat, Mr.. Lincoln remained seated. al
lowing the friends OF Douglas to cheer
and shout 20 their hearts content. He
then arose and walked slowly and de-
liberately TO the front Of the platform,
raised himself TO his fUll height and
looked over his audience for a little
while without uttering a syllable. He
then began 10 inhibition and slowly
remove a long linen buster which COW
cred a conventional suit Of black AZ
ter folding Il with great care and DELHI
Grafton, he handed II 10 some one lust
back OF him and said In his clear. pene-
trating voice that reached every ear in
his eXpectant audience, Young man.
hold that while ] stone stephen"
The effect was electrical and an that
M. Lncoln's fri nds c1ud n We dssired.
Douglas eloquence 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.. Llncoln's sue
cessful rejolnder.
Mr.. Lincoln had by this master stroke
~ wit. secured the good viii and kind
ly attention of HIS hearers while he
proceeded 10 'stone Stephen" with ar
gumenis which permanently enriched
political literature and made The speak
er the FIRST Republican President Of the
United states.-unitsd Presbyterian.