Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
A STIRRING LECTURE
Professor Allen johnson Talks on
Lincoln and Douglas.
LAST In SERIES OF SIX ADDRESSES
Closing Lecture of Second Series in
University Extension Course Given
Last Evening at Market Street The
atre-Lastins Impression Made.

Last Evening at Market Street The
atre-Lasting Impression Made.
From Wednesdays Daily.
With a stirring lecture on Abraham
Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in
which the political history of these
two great leaders was wildly portray
ed, Professor Allen Johnson OF Iowa
college of Grinnell, closed the second
of a series of lectures in the University
Extension course last evening at the
Market Street theatre. Those who at
tended the lecture last evening were
treated to an eloquent and most inspir-
ing address on the lives and political
histories of these two great men. Pro-
fessor Johnson is possessed OF charm
of manner that never fails to strike
a responsive chord in the hearts of his
hearers, while his graceful stage pres
erlce adds TO his effectiveness in pre-
senting his subject.
Made a Lasting Impression.
The many students in the audience
and in attendance at the previous lee
+, lures have been greatly benefited by
the complete and we'll prepared review
of the early political history of Ameri-
ca. That the lecturer was thoroughly
conversant with his subject was amp
~ demonstrated to his audiences in
the six lectures of the course and from
the many expressions of approval
which have been heard it is certain
that the lectures made a deep and
mn ccin \, ;s
Party Politics Traced.
The theme for the course of lectures
was American Party Politics and Par
ty Leaders," and the political history
OF the country was traced from the
time of the organization of the FEEDER.
alist party down to the days when the
Lincoln-Douglas debate reused the
people to the necessity of abolshing
slavery and soon after was followed by
the civil strife through which the coun-
try was united, and the curse of slav.
cry eradicated. In his lecture last eve
ming Prof. Johnson spoke in part as fol
lows:
Lincoln and Douglas.
Few incidents in our American life
excites more wonder in foreign OBJ
server who has witnessed one of our
noisy, boisterous presidential elections
than the ease and rapidity with which
our people resume their normal life
Angry partisanship subsidies; business
throws off its feverish symptoms anC
the great heart of the nation pulsates
normally again. The months following
the great wing defeat in 1852 were sc
peaceful as to give promise that an
other era of good feeling had set in
The country appeared to have Danish
ed the slavery agitation from its
thoughts. From this political repost
the nation was rudely awakened by the
introduction of the Kansas-Ne brask;
bill into congress. This bill proposed
to repeal the Missouri compromis,
and to permit the people of Kansa
and Nebraska to choose for themselve
whether they would have slavery o.
not. The Missouri compromise hat
stood for thirty-four years and in tina
time had acquired sanctity as on
of the fundamental laws of the LAND
Douglas was the author of this ney
bill and knowing ones declared tina
it was bid for the southern vote an
the presidency. The next democratic
nominee was morally sure to be elect
ed president.
Douglas with his customary das
and daring had outstripped all othe
aspirants for the nomination
Career of Douglas.
Vermont claimed Douglas as he
son, but he was caught in the grea
drift of population westward, and hi
career was shaped ON the broad pra
ries of Illinois. He made his way t
Jacksonville, Ill.,, then the outer edg
of settlement in the great northwes
His available assets amounted to Jus
thirteen cents. He had received
fair schooling. He had talent an
pluck. He opened a school, studio
and taught, and the following yea
opened a law office. He soon came [
occupy prominent place in the a
fairs of the state. His popularity wa
due to his personal magnetism. Whe
thirty years of age, he was chose
congressman. There was never an
thing of grace and beauty in his ma
ner of speech, but behind the crut
expression was native power and acu
intelligence. Douglas soon forged
the front when the country needed
READY QGDdleT. he Saw d VISION OF
great republic, stretching from sea
sea, holding commerce with Europe {
one size and with Asia on the other
a. republic bound together with lin
of railway spanning the continer
There was no act suggested in co
gress for the development to whit
he did not lend his hand.
Douglas View of Slavery.
Douglas had no liberation for al
litionists. He married the daught
of North Carolina planter, and
had come to recognize that the who
structure of southern society, witho
any fault of the present generate
rested upon negro slavery. He sa
too, that it was opposed to econon
development. Southern planters re
lied this and stubbornly hoped that
establishment of a great cotton repl
lie of the south, untrammeled by tai
barriers, would rehabilitate their I
clining prosperity. Douglas felt tt
slavery was doomed by natural lay
!. Why then rouse section against S
ton? Douglas hoped to organize t