The National tribune., 1900-02-22

Sometimes, in the excitement Of speak
ing. seem to see the end of slavery. | feel
that the time is soon coming when the sun
shall shine, the rain fall, on no man who
shall go forth 10 unrequlted toll.
How this will come, when it will come, by
whom it will come, / cannot tell; but that
time will surely come"
Again, at the first encounter at Alton, he
said:
"On this subject of treating slavery as a
wrong, and limiting its spread, let me say a
word. Has anything ever threatened the
existence OF this Union save and except this
very institution Of slavery? What is it that
we hold most dear among us? Our own
liberty and prosperity. What has ever
threatened our liberty and prosperity, save
and except this institution of slavery? If
this is true, how do you propose to improve
the condition of things by eniarglng Slav-
ery?-by spreading it out and making it
bigger? You may have a wen or cancer
upon your person, and not be able to cut it
out lest you bleed to death; but surely, it is
no way to cure it, 10 ingraft it and spread it
over your whole body-that is no proper
way of treating what you regard a wrong.
You see, this peaceful way of dealing with
ii as wrorg-restricting the spread of it,
and not allowing it to go into new countries
where it has not already eXiSted-that is
the peaceful way, the old-fashioned way.
the way in which the fathers themselves set
us lile tSdUple. Is slavery WEOllp. L
is the real issue That is the issue that will
continue in this country when these poor
tongues Of Judge Douglas and myself shall
be silent. 1t is the eternal struggle be-
tween these two ipleS-right and
wrong Throughout the world. They are
two principles that have stood face to face
from the beginning of time; and will ever
continue to struggle. The one is the com
mon right of humanity, and the other the
divine right of kings. 1t is the same
principle, in whatever shape it develops
itself. 1t is the same spirit that says: You
work, and toll and earn bread and I'll eat
it, No matter in what shape it comes,
whether from the mouth of king who
seeks to bestride the people of his own
nation and live by the fruit Of their labor,
or from one race of men as an apology for
enslaving another race, it is the same
tyrannical principle"
On still another occasion he used these
memorable words:
my declarations upon this subject of
negro slavery may be misrepreSented, but
cannot be misunderstood. have said that
/ do not understand the Declaration to
mean that all men were created equal in all
respects. They are not our equal in color:
but suppose that it does mean to declare
that all men are created equal in some re-
spects; they are equal in their right to life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Certainly the negro is not our equal in
color, perhaps not in many other respects;
still, in the right to put into his mouth the
bread that his own hands have earned, he
is the equal of every other man, white or
black"
SCENES AND ANECDOTES OF THE
GREAT DEBATE.
1t is not in the scope of this narrative to
print extended quotations from the speeches
made in this memorable contest, but rather
TO give such "reminiscences and anecdotes
an
best serve to bring the scenes and actors yiy-
idly TO mind. Among these is an impress
i've pen-picture of Lincoln on the stump
which is admirably sketched by the Rev
DIR. George G. Moves, of Chicago. "Mr. Lin
coin in repose was very different man in
personal appearance from Mr.. Lincoln on
the platform or on the stump, when his
whole nature was reused by his masterful
interest in the subject of his discourse
In the former case he was, as he has often
been described, man of awkward and
ungainly appearance, and exceedingly
homely countenance. In the latter case
he was a man of magnificent presence
and remarkably impressive manner. The
writer retains to this day a very vivid inn
preston OF his appearance in both these
characters, and both on the same day.
1t was in Jacksonville, in the Summer of
1888, and during the great contest with
MIR. Douglas, when the prize contended
for was seat in the United States Senate
Ihe day was warm; the streets were dusty,
and filled with great crowds of people
When Mr.. Lincoln arrived on the train
from Springfield he was met by an immense
procession of people on horseback, in car
riages, in wagons, and vehicles of every
deScri ption, and on foot, who escorted him
through the principal streets to his hotel
The enthusiasm of the multitude was
great, but Mr.. Lincoln's extremely homely
face Wore an expression of sadness He
rode in carriage near the head of the pro-
cession, looking dust-begrimed and worn
and weary, and though he frequently lifted
his hat in recognition of the cheers of the
crowds lining the streets, saw no smile
on his face, and he seemed to take no pleas
ure in the demonstrations of enthusiasm