The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-04-07
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aspirations, until the attempt to re-
peal the Missouri Compromise and
force slavery upon free territory rous-
ed the spirit of patriotism within him.
His quick ear caught the distant
rumbling of the storm that was rap
idly approaching, and which was des-
tined in time to deluge this fair land
in blood.
He felt that the time had come
when no loyal American should re-
main impassive, but that every indi-
vidual should exert his utmost energy
to stem the gre wing evil.
In his first famous speech at Spring
field in October, 1854, he attacked
the Kansas Nebraska bill, proposed
by Stephen A. Douglas, with all the
earnestness of his inherent hatred of
injustice. In this he said: 81 admit
that the emigrant to Kansas and Ne
braska is competent to govern him
self, but / deny his right to govern
any other person without that per-
sons consent"
Donglas attempted a reply, but he
felt that the sympathies of the people
were with Lincoln, and that he was
defeated.
1t was at this time that the Repub-
lican party was born, with Abraham
Lincoln for its father.
Four years later Lincoln and Doug
las were again pitted against one
another in oratorical contest.
Douglas desired reelection as Sena-
tor from Illinois, and Lincoln was
nominated as an opposing candidate.
A series of seven meetings was
held, during the summer and fall of
1883, which, for power. eloquence
and results, are the most remarkable
debates on record.
Judge Douglas had always been
considered unequaled, almost unap-
proachable in his ability to hold and
sway an audience, but in Abraham
Lincoln he met his Waterloo" The
reason is not difficult to find.
The fundamental principle Of the
constitution was equal rights for all
men" and, although human slavery
had for many years been dark blot
on our good name, brighter day was
dawning, when justice should tri-
umph and the right prevail.
Mr.. Lincoln read to a few of his
friends his opening speech, in which
were the words: A house divided
against itself cannot stand Il believe
the Government cannot endure per-
manently, half slave and half Free"
They thought it altogether too radi-
cal and entreated him to change it,
urging that it would destroy his
chances for election.
After listening to them attentively
he replied that he had considered the
subject seriously, and was convinced
that it was right for him to deliver it
as written.
"And if it must be that I go down
because of this speech, then let me
go down linked to the truth, and die
in the advocacy of what is right and
just"
These speeches created tremen-
dous furor throughout the length and
breadth of the land. w. D. Howells
says: "No one can read these debates
without admiration of Lincoln's abil-
ity, courage and truth, while the i'm
preston left by Douglas is that of
great mind bending all its energies to
a purpose beneath it"
The enthusiastic applause which
greeted Lincoln upon every success
sive effort showed that he had touch
ed popular chord and captured the
hearts of the people.
In every community there are some
small souls who, unpopular them
selves, are unwilling to accord we'll
deserved honor to another. These
declared that this back-woodsman
would do very we'll for the wild West,
where he could entertain with his
Jokes and stories, but he would never
''go down" with the educated people
of the East.
In the face of such an opinion let
us look at Lincoln as he stood in
Cooper Union, in that day the largest
hall in New York city, before an audi
ence of exceptional intelligence. VIM.
Cullen Bryant presided and intro
duced the speaker. On the platform
were the most prominent scholars,
lawyers, authors and critics of the
day, and we'll might college gradu-
ate have felt somewhat abashed before
so distinguished an assembly.
The thought engrossing our hero's
mind, however, was not what impres-
sion he would make upon that cul-
tured audience, but how much he
could accomplish for the great cause
he was advocating. In whatever situa-
tion he was placed the motto of his
life had always been to do his "level
best" and for three hours he held his
audience spell bonnd, except as they
burst forth into thunders of applause.
They expected a rough-and-ready
speech, made up of funny anecdotes,
and they listened to scholarly,
skilfully framed and closely logical
address"
One gentleman admitted that he
went with no expectation or desire to
be pleased, but when Lincoln closed
his speech with these words: LET
us have faith, that right is might, and
let US, in that faith, to the end, dare
to do Our duty as we understand it, .
he found himself shouting like q
madman," and exclaiming that this
was "the greatest man since the
apostle Paul"
In the election that followed Doug
las retained his seat in the Senate, but
Lincoln would have unquestionably
been the choice of a direct vote, ane
his speeches during this campaign
helped to secure his presidential nomi
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