Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-12
as later it led on to the assassination of
two lesser Presidents
PRIVATE DALZELL.
The Lincolu-Douglas Debate.

To the Editor Of The Star:
A recent letter received from my uncle,
NJ H. Long of Sabula. Ia, contains some
interesting "reminiscences Of the great de-
bate between Abraham Lincoln and
Stephen A. Douglas. Mr.. Long is now
over eighty years Of age, but his men,
DRY Is remarkably clear and accurate re-
garding events connected with the early
days in the west. He says:
Il was living at Galena, H.. at the time
Of the Lincoln Douglas debate at Free
port ILL.,. August q. 1858 special train
was made up at the former place on the
Illinois Central railroad to convey those
who wished to attend the debate, about
sixty or seventy miles distant. The
coaches were crowded to their utmost
capacity. the day being fine one and
Abe Lincoln the drawing card
THE speaking was held in the open air.
where a great crowd had gathered long
was the first to arrive on the grounds.
He came in q fine double carriage. in
great style. Mr.. Lincoln, on the con-
trary, being one of the common people.
arrived in an old-fashioned Pennsylvania
wagon or prairie schooner as we used
to call them, although this one was with
out the canvas top. 1t was drawn by
four horses, the driver riding the wheel
horse and guiding the lead span with
gee line Zone line, instead of four, as
companied in the wagon by several old
men, all seated in old-fashioned, split
bottomed chairs.
1T was the second Of the series of de-
bates. The agreement between the oppo-
nents was that Lincoln should lead off with
an hours speech; Douglass to have one
and one-half hours to reply, and Lincoln
to close the meeting with one-half hour.
II remember well how Lincoln looked.
1 was much disappointed In his appear
as he arose to speak, he was SO homely
and awkward. He started off in mod
crate way, and thought to myself, You
are no match for your opponent. But as
he warmed up to his subject 1 became
so interested in what he was saying that
l lost all thought of how he looked. He
spoke In deliberate and convincing way
that carried his listeners along with him,
eloquent and f1owery. and at times he
seemed to try to ridicule his opponent.
Both speeches were listened to with close
attention. When Mr.. Lincoln finished
entertained far. different opinion Of him;
I thought he was man to tie to-
MY uncle. DR.. Benjamin F. Long. was
one of the officials on the occasion and
sat on the platform. With him was his
little son. lad Of thirteen. who was
seated on the front edge Of the platform.
In speaking, Mr. Lincoln stepped close
to the boy, who, fearing that he was in
the way. attempted to move to one side
Mr. Lincoln ceased his argument, and
placing one hand OH the boys head, said,
in his kindly way. Don't be afraid, my
son, I'll not step on you.
Il think that Abraham Lincoln was one
of the greatest men since Christ's time. l
hope that monument will be erected to
his memory at the National capital that
will be one of the wonders of the world. .
Mr.. Long is a nephew Of the late Col.
Stephen II. Long. who was assistant pro-
fessor of mathematics at West Point in
1915. under Andrew EllicOtt. and who
made several successful surveys and eX-
plorations for the government between
the Mississippi river and the Rocky
mountains between the years 1919 and
1896. CHARLES II. COE.