The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-06
THE GREAT DEBATE.
Auclasnks Of the Lincoln and D04gzas Rlvahy
Cambazgm For Senator In 1858.
copyright, 1899, by P. Britton.l

presidency was softened greatly by
knowledge of Lincoln's election.
Douglas spoke first. shall not re.
peat what he said. 1t seems to me-
though. worth while to chronicle
happening that has been little noted
ottawa was the home district of Owen
LoveJoy. who sat, with other Republic
ans. on the platform. Personally and
politically he was Douglas most bitter
enemy. Although he sat there of right
his presence was to Douglas like red
rag to bull. Toward the close of his
speech he made a direct charge that in
the preceding senatorial fight there
had been conspiracy between Love
joy, Trumbull. Lincoln and others by
which Mr.. Lincoln was to succeed
Shields. and Trumbull Douglas him.
self. But when it came to action they
euchred Lincoln : good, easy fellow
that he is!' Douglas said, with more
bitterness than ever saw in him at
any other time, ''If he does not look
sharp. they will euchre him again. even
If they have permitted him to receive
the unanimous nomination of their flu
sion convention
think Douglas felt intuitively that
he had spoken too rancorously He
closed with a reference to early days
how when he had first met Lincoln the
latter was clerk in Il country store and
Douglas himself young and very
brief1ess attorney on the circuit. Lin
coin had been kindly hospitable. he
said, they had become friends, and
friends. he hoped, they would always
remain.
AS to the accusation of conspiracy.
Lincoln said simply that it was, so far
as it concerned him. false. Then he
passed quickly to what Douglas had
recalled of their early acquaint-
ance. yes, the judge is right. was
clerk--n fact. the junior clerk, with
no voice as to what sold'' he said.
you see, we had dry goods in front.
groceries in the middle and wet goods
at the back. which was my domain
When the judge tied his horse to our
hitching post. he never stopped in front.
No. gentlemen! He trotted right back to
see Abe OF course appreciated his
friendship then-l appreciate it now
though am bound to tell you he was
my best customer"
was present at each of the Joint
speakingS and also at some of the adj
dresses to their own partisans, which
Lincoln called jokingly 1.-The side show
They did not travel together, but
rather upon each others trail. speak
ing every day, sometimes twice day.
to those of their own political house
holds and, in my judgment, much bet
ter than in the debates, which seemed
to me to have an air of ''for publication
only" about them. 1t was a Joyous
and light hearted progress. Commonly
the friends Of each conveyed them
from place to place. Now and again
the two travelling parties met at cross
roads or country tavern; now and then.
too, they were forced to take passage
by the same common carrier.
Commonly a delegation with bands
and banners met each man some miles
out of the town where he was to hold
forth
I
road each gave the other hearty
cheer. Upon one such occasion rooster
near by answered the cheers with lusty
growing. THAT is good omen,' Doug
las said, waving his hand to Lincoln.
who answered. Eyes, but you know
any rooster can crow on his own dung
hill" Another time, down in Egypt,
Douglas and his party went to Mis-
sissippi river landing very early. only
to find Lincoln's crowd there ahead of
them, likewise intent on taking the
steamboat down the stream. Greet.
ings were hardly over before there
came word that the boat was aground
and no telling when she would get off.
just then Il stern wheeler came round
the bend. How will she do?" some
one asked of Mr.. Lincoln. He squnted
critically at her, then said: ooh. she's
a White river craft. She can cross any
bar passable by good sized catfish.
AS the Mississippi was very low.
this was recommendation Both
speakers were due that afternoon at
lower river towns So we hailed, got
aboard and made rush for the wash
room, whose appliances were, it need
scarcely be said, of the most primitive
sort. There was. however, surpris
ing number of dirty combs and brush
es. Baggage had been sent ahead by
express, so most of us had to use them
or go without. Douglas alone of us
had pocket case containing combs, a
toothbrush, etc. He offered one of the
combs to Mr. Lincoln, who took it, say
ing. with quizzical smile: THANK
YOU, judge! But really they seem to
have supplied us with everything but
to0fhbrushes." PRENTICE BRrTToN.