davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
LINCOLN-DO DOUGLAS DEBATE.

on the immediate question at issue con-
ditions favored Douglas The Supreme
Court had sustained his contention that
Congress had no power to exclude slav-
cry from the territories, and yet he could
fall back on his popular sovereignty"
remedy To satisfy those who didn't want
to see the scope of the slave system ex-
tended. Lincoln found IL awkward TO at
tack the Supreme Courts decision and
say that Congress ought to defy 1t; so
he had TO resort TO the abstract argu-
ment that " house divided against It
self cannot stand and this government
cannot exist half slave and half free
That was taking advanced Abolitionist
ground. since 1t put slavery on the defen-
sive even In the slave states. Lincoln's
attitude lost him some strength In his
own party. and although the Republican
state ticket was elected a legislative ma
Jority friendly to Douglas was chosen.
Lincoln's greatest achievement In the
debate was in pinnng Douglas down to
Inc so-called "Freeport neresy," that
slavery could be suppressed anywhere
by unfrlendly local legislation. But that
was no new admission for the Little
Giant to make: It was inherent In the
popular sovereignty doctrine. Lincoln
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20

AT later day, when the Lecompte
struggle was in progress. mutual
friend. remembering that my structures
on Nj Douglas in former years had been
OF very caustic sort, inquired of him
whether he had any objections on ac-
count of these structures TO meeting me
on a friendly footing Certainly not
was his instant response; i always pay
that class of debts as l 20 along.
The Joint debate between Lincoln and
Douglas I'm 1858 ranks as the most note
worthy clash Of that sort in American
politics. Ii attracted attention all over
the country and was influential in shap-
ing the course OF history. since II helped
Lincoln TO the Presidential nomination
and pushed Douglas and the Southern
Democrats further apart than ever Lin
coins subsequent fame, however, greatly
colored public judgment on the merits and
outcome OF the debate In his favor
He and Douglas had long been rivals
They both sought the hand OF Mary Todd
and Lincoln won. But Douglas had
gained much quicker recognition In law
and politics and become larger figure
both in Illinois and in the nation He was
Lincoln's superior In address and in
rough and ready debate, but he did not
think as deeply as Lincoln and lacked
the latter's intense moral fibre and thor
oughgoing sincerity. Lincoln felt him
self overshadowed by Douglas and was
frankly envious of the latters gift of
cultivating popularity.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20

States Attorney and began career Of
officeholdng which was uninterrupted
until his death.
lie attributed his immediate success TO
political speech which he made two
weeks after he had become a lawyer. lie
defended Andrew Jackson with more
crudity than skill. and the local Wing
newspaper picked him out as an easy
mark" for editorial attack. II fired two
columns at him for three successive
weeks. and at the end OF that time. Doug
las relates, he was receiving demands of
thousands Of dollars for collection from
unknown persons. Il sincerely doubt
he wrote, whether / owe most to the
kind and efficient support of my friends
or 10 the violent. reckless and imprudent
opposition Of my enemies" lie knew
how TO profit by enemies as well as by
friends. He was elected "A member Of the
Illinois Legislature at twenty-three; was
defeated for Congress through mistakes
in spelling his name at twenty-five: was
Secretary Of state of Illinois at twenty
seven Judge Of the Illinois Supreme Court
at twenty-eight: elected to the federal
Iiousc VI Representatives At twenty -illHc'
and TO the United States Senate at thirty
three. He was a candidate for the Demo-
cratic Presidential nomination at thirty
nine, receiving so votes out OF 2S2 in the
national convention Of 1852 He was
again candidate at fortythree and was
nominated for President at forty-seven.
lie died at forty eight, an age at which
few American statesmen have been seri-
Gus aspirants for the Presidency.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
LIKE CLAY AND BLAINE.

AS a Presidential candidate Douglass
fate was singularly like that of Henry
Clay and James G.. Blaine OF these three
it may be truly said that when they
could have been elected they could not
get nominated and when they were NOM
mated they couldn't get elected. Clay
was an unsuccessful candidate three
times, and was set aside twice for the
nomination when the Wing party had the
Presidency In its grasp. Douglas and
Blaine were both defeated twice for the
nomination. and then. receiving 1t. lost
the Presidency. All three had large and
devoted personal followings and many
bitter enemies They were leaders OF ma
tion-wide influence, whose power was
based on personal qualities, and all three
were strongest in the West Clay was
Douglass model in politics, although the
imitator lacked the intense convictions
and depth of character of the original.
Douglas was far more flexible in opinion
than Clay and far more openly self-inter-
ested. Both lost the great Office which
they coveted because they sought 1t too
eagerly.
Douglas was not a really great orator
for the reason that he lacked idealityF IN
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
HARRIET 3. STOVES ESTIMATE.

Moreover he contrives TO mingle up
80 many singing illusions to so many
piquant personalities that by the time
he has done his mystihcation dozen
others are ready and burning TO spring
on their feet to repel some direct or In
direct attack. all equally wide OF the
mark. His speeches, instead of being
like an arrow sent at mark. resemble
rather bomb which hits nothing in par
tcular. but bursts and sends red not
nails i'm every direction. Ii is a
mercful Providence that with all his
alertness and adroitness. all his quick
sighted keenness. Douglas is not witty
that might have made him too irresisti-
BILE n demagogue for the liberties or our
laughter loving people, to whose weak
nesses be Is altogether too well adapted
now"
II was n just verdict from an unfriend-
ly but yet IA discriminating critic.
Greeley, in his "Recollections of a Busy
Life" tells this anecdote: "Once as l
sat with the senior Francis +. Blair and
one or two others outside the bar or the
Senate in 1856 he [DouglasI made us the
text OF an amusing dissertation on the
piebald ring-streaked and speckled ma
terials whereof the new Republican party
was composed; and passing US soon AZ
terward. he hailed me Familiarity with
the Interrogation. Didn't | give you
good turn just now?
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
A LINCOLN STORY.

Farmer Bell had the prize Bartlett pear
tree and the prettiest gal in that section.
And he thought about the same OF each
OF 'em. All the boys were after Sue Bell
But there was only one who had any
chance of getting her. and his name was
Jim Ricketts,. Jim was the handsom-
est man in that section. He liked Sue
and he liked luscious Bartlett and he in
tended TO have both. And IL Just so hap
pened that that prize pear tree had a
whopper on IL that year and old man Bell
couldn't talk of anything else.
Now there was an ugly gaIoot whose
name isn't worth mentioning. lie knew
he wasn't in any way III for Sue and he
liked pears about as we'll as Jim Rick
etts did. Well. one night here comes Jim
along the road, whstling. to court susan
and there was the ugly galoot a-yearning
on the bank under the pear tree. Jim
was all fixed up. and he says TO the ga
loot. Let's have n throw Now the ga
loot knew old Bell was looking over the
fence. So he says. All right and he
gives Jim the first shot. Jim fetched
down the big pear. Got his teeth In
and stroled off to the house. kind oil
pitlful of the galoot for a half-witted ass
when he got to the door there was the
old man What are you here for? says
he. why, says Ricketts, in his onhaha
way. for he always had great confidence
TO fetch Sue.
1.-THE old man used to wear brass toes "
keep his boots from wearing out saia
Mr.. Lircoln dreamily."
Thus is after-the-event philosophy con-
structed Nicolay and Hay refer TO
tradition" which represented Lincoln as
saving the night before the Freeport meet
ing IF Douglas answers, he can never
be President, and the battle of ~"
worth a hundred of this Lincoln was eA,
tremely anxious to defeat Douglas anu
felt keen disappointment at his failure.
Even in 1859 he did not think OF himsen
as a candidate for the Presidency. ti'
could not well have foreseen in lsos w''a'
was in store for him and Douglas ivy
wears later, and that they would then
cooperating with all their forces 10 CITY
pie slavery and save the Union.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20

tellectual fervor and moral force He
was, on the other hand, an extraordi-
narily effective debater and stump speaker
He knew all the tricks and arts OF per-
suading the jury and getting the !mmedi-
ate verdict When he first appeared In
Washington ne was very crude in manner.
John Quincy Adams wrote OF one Of Doug
lass first speeches in the House Of Repre-
sentatiyes:
'In the midst Of his roaring to save
himself from choking he stripped off and
cast away his cravat. unbuttoned his
waistcoat and had the air and aspect OF
a half-naked pugilist." But he soon ac-
duired suavity and polish, and. youth as
he was. he did not hesitate to measure
swords with his most noted colleagues
even with Adams himself.
In his Anecdotes Of Public Men" John
W. Forney gives a graphic account OF
how, in May. 1916. Douglas. then thirty
three. put to rout Adams, then seventy
nine. The discussion was over the admis-
sion Of Texas. Says Forney:
II shall never forget how eagerly John
Quincy Adams listened TO the young
member from Illinois, Stephen A. Doug
las, as he was speaking on May IL. 1916
Mr.. Delano OF Ohio. had made decided
argument against annexation, which gave
great satisfaction to the venerable ex-
President. Mr.. Douglas said with the
, courtesy which distinguished him. look
ing at MI. Adams: 4 perceive the ven
cradle gentleman from Massachusetts
mods approval OF the sentiment
"MR. ADAMS: Yes, sir. Mr.. Chair
man, / approve and indorse every word
and syllable Of it,.
Thus encouraged the willy young I'LL
nois orator proceeded in his well-consid-
cred speech. 1t will be recollected that
the great point at issue In 1916. so far as
Texas was concerned. was the boundary
between Texas and Mexico. Mr. Delano
with mastery ability had denied that
the Rio del Norte was the western
| boundary and Mr.. Adams had accepted
/ the version OF Mr.. Deano. / can never
forget the following colloquy:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20

Institution Which Has Led Many Unfortunates
from Shame and Misery to Happy,
Helpful Lives Is in Dire Need
of Funds and Of Space.

success of the institution has been due
the officers believe to the settled policy
Of giving TO each girl so far as possible,
a room to herself.
yet. except i'm a few Of the cottages. we
have long been unable to follow out that
plan There are now at Bedford more
than half again as many women as our
accommodations will provide for salts
factorily The girls are sleeping in CORR
dors the linen room. the gymnasium, the
lavatories and on cots placed as close TO-
gether as we can put them. We have to
keep a matron patroling these places at
night, and the fact that such watch is
kept creates an atmosphere or disfust
and almost hostility, which is precisely the
thing which we have tried all along 10
eliminate from Bedford. And under the
law we cannot refuse to accept any gin
whom a MAGISTRATE wishes to send us.
ITO remedy these conditions we need
$500. 600 at once. We have applied to the
Legislature for an appropriation of that
amount The bill. however. will 20
through az the very end Of the session
il will have TO run the gauntlet of legis-
lative and executive inspection and may
be held up on grounds of economy
IF they inspect Bedford, as well as the
bill. all will go well with us The need Is
such a crying one that an appropriation Oh
this amount. which will allow us TO double
our capacity and just about meet the de-
mands on us, would be justifiable on the
grounds OF the most rigid economy. We
have pared our estimate down TO the bare
necessities of our growth and healthy de-
velopment. The largest items are for cot
tages in which to house our girls decent
ly and few buildings and piece OF land
TO allow us TO start dairy farm. The
farm. which would be on a small scale, Of
course would still furnish us with supplies
sufficient to justify the expense In that
way alone. and would give us additional
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
AGAINST SECESSION.

Douglas becsAne thorough Union man
on the issue or secession. He had prom
inent place on the platform when Lincoln
was inauglirated, and had he not died
about three months later he might have
held the Democratic party at the North up
10 a far higher level of patriotism than il
was able TO reach under weaker advisers
Of the "C0pperhead' stripe. In the clos
ing DAVIS Of his career he was at his best
as a leader Of broad ideas and genuine
moral force. He had contributed material
Is toward unfying the North and saving
the Union.
One Of the most striking things in Doug
lass career is its precocity. He always
arrived early. Fortune helped him I'M
yaryingiy and he had the knack OF fall
ing squarely on his feet. In 1888, in his
twentieth year, he reached the little town
OF winchester Ill. with just three bits
(37I, cents) I'm MS pocket. The same day
he earned So as clerk TO an auctioneer
and was engaged on the spot as school
teacher. He had studied little law back
home I'm Vermont and In Canandaigua.
Y. Y, and before h, was twenty-one he
had been admitted 10 the bar In Jackson
vile. III. A year later he was elected
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
Continued from third page.

ton Of his own choice without being
crushed Beware of the fate of Tallmadge
and Rives Democrats whom Jackson had
driven out OF public life)."
But Douglas replied 'Mr. President, 1
wish you to remember that General jack
son is dead"
Buchanan was no Jackson. He never
crushed Douglas. although he pursued
him with untiring malignity and even
worked openly 10 defeat him when he was
the choice OF the Illinois Democracy for
reelection as Senator, in 1853.
BY 1860 Douglas had nearly united the
Northern wing Of the Democratic party
I'm opposition to the pretensions Of the
slave power. His followers had control
in the Democratic National Convention Of
that year. which assembled at Charles
ton. S. c. After a long struggle oyer
the platform the delegates from a
number Of the cotton states withdrew.
Douglas failed by a few votes TO obtain
the two-thirds OF the original number
necessary 10 nominate. He was nominated
In an adjourned convention at Baltimore
and the Southern Democrats put Vice
President John c. Breckenridge up against
him. Between Douglas and Lincoln they
found little TO choose. and the feud in the
Democratic ranks gave Lincoln an easy
,ietoYv
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
ADAMS PUT TO CONFUSION.

MIR. DOUGLAS: Mr.. Chairman. be-
lieve that | have now said all that | in
tended for the purpose OF showing that
the Rio del Norte was the western boun-
dairy of the Republic of Texas How far
l have succeeded in establishing the posi-
ton leave TO the House and country TO
determine. ! Will not say that
have demonstrated the question as salts
factorily as the distinguished gentleman
from Massachusetts did In 1919, but / will
say that am safe i'm adopting the senti-
ment which he then expressed that our
title to the Rio Gel Norte is as clear as
10 the island Of New Orleans
MIR. ADAMS: i never said that our
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS LITTLE GIANT" OF AMERICAN POLITICS

simply made people see slearly the d.
rection in which Douglas was headed.
The legend has grown up that Lincoln
consciously played off the Senatorship
in 1858 against the chance OF an election
to the Presidency in 1860. Winston Church
i'll, I'm his novel, The Crisis" puts this
homely story in Lincoln's mouth the night
before Freeport in order TO illustrate his
attitude toward Douglas:
Boys. did you ever hear the story Of
Farmer Bell, down in Egypt? III tell II
to you and then you'll know why III
ask Judge Douglas that question.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
MATERIAL FOR A BALzAC.

That is one reason why Bedford has sue
ceeded so welt II was put together piece
nv niece by large minded men and wom-
on. who had studied human life, the whole
Of human life. as earnestly as Balzac or
Plato did. They found, for instance, that
there was good hard work in almost every
happy human life, and so work Is given
an honored place at Bedford. Literally ar
honored place, for notion is prevalent
there that any work that is not wrong is
right. and everybody from the superin
tendent down TO the new arrivals VINO
have not yet got the kinks out OF their
neglected hair is ready TO turn TO and dc
anv work there is TO be done.
So Il was that when the superintendent
Miss Katherine b. Davis. wanted some
concrete walks laid and had scraped to-
gether enough money by divers economies
IN huv the materials she called her girls
together and they went out and tucked up
their skirts and made concrete walks.
They laid out the ground. they dug the
sod they laid the gravel foundations, they
dld The mixing and pouring Of the cement
all by themselves and they did the cele-
brating as well
There is a celebration of everything that
IS worth celebrating at Bedford. certain
~. They held tea in the new cement
pigpen when the girls and Miss Davis had
finished IT, The completion of the new
silo was cause for another social function
For. I'm their scientific analysis OF human
life. the founders OF Bedford were led 10
believe that JOY and york 30 hand-ln-
hand. and that 1t does us no harm grace
fully 10 remember that fact.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20

out into the world and make their way,
fearfully handicapped as they are before
hand, through temptations and rebuns
such as more fortunate morallsts can
hardly comprehend. and come out at last
wholesome. right living women, then sure
~ some similar method would save be-
forehand girls who are now drifting tow
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20

Not only the state Of New York but
the whole country has a stake in the
Bedford experiment, for If there Is
method by which women. who have suf-
fered what rs commonly supposed TO be
the most degrading. the most soul destroy
ing Of alt human experiences. can be
brought 10 the point where they can so
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20

Bedford stood out markedly as one place
which had shown that such women could
be reformed. Now. when so much atten-
ton is being paid 20 the whole subject. 1t
labors under difficulties which dim it's rec
ord. and for no reason except the insult
dcient provision which has been made by
the sfate for lis neels.'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
CELEBRATING THE BABIES.

To be sure. they celebrated the pigpen
and the silo. They celebrate Christmas
too: Thanksgiving and the Fourth Of july
the departure of one of the honor girls
or the birth of a new baby. For new
babies are born at Bedford. as they are
elsewhere. And as elsewhere, they are
fumbling and fascinating and soft as II
their Maker had only left them outside
His workshop TO harden for little while
before He took them back TO be nnished'
And the girls make a great wonderment
over them and come TO peep and stay
TO talk baby talk, as girls are wont 70 do.
ror,irued on seventh mage.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
a MEMORY GONE AWRY.

MIR. ADAMS: I wrote that dispatch
as Secretary OF State and endeavored TO
make out the best case / could for my
own country, as 1t was my duty. But
| utterly deny that / claimed the Rio del
Norte as our boundary in its fun extent
| only claimed IL a short distance up the
river and then dlverged TO the northward
some distance from the stream.
"MR. DOUGLAS: VIII the gentleman
specifv the point at which the line left
the river
"MR. ADAMS: I never designated the
point
MIR. DOUGLAS: Was It above Mata-
moras?'
MIR. ADAMS: 4 never specified any
particular place
"The old man had evidently forgotten
the dispatch he wrote In 1873. II was
bombshell. The House was divided be
tween admiration for the new actor on
the great stage OF national affairs and
reverence for the retiring CHER.
In the Senate also Douglas from the
first. was not afraid 10 challenge the Gus
toms and opinions of his elders Horace
Greeley writes thus OF an carry ruh-'n
with Daniel Webster:
II once sat in the Senate chamber when
Mr.. Douglas, who had just been trans
ferred from the House, arose TO move
forward bill in which he was interested.
We have no such practice in the senate
sir. said Mr.. Webster. in his deep SOL
emn voice. fixing his eye on the mover,
but without rising from bis seat.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20

title was good to the Rio del Norte from
its mouth 10 It's source
MIR. DOUGLAS: know nothing OF
the gentleman's mental reservations. But
II he wishes TO be understood as denying
that he ever claimed the Rio del Norte in
general terms as our boundary under the
Louisiana treaty / can furnish him an
official document. over his own signature
which he will find very embarrassing ana
exceedingly difficult 10 explain. | allude
to his famous dispatch as Secretary Of
State 10 Don Owls. the Spanish minister.
In that paper he not only claimed the Rio
del Norte as our boundary but he demon
strated the validity OF the claim by a
train OF facts and arguments which rivet
conviction on every impartial mind
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
ENCOUNTER WITH WEBSTER.

Mr. Douglas at once varied MS mot'oh'
seeking to achieve the same emu III a
somewhat different way That Is not the
wav we do business In the Senate sir,
reioined Mr.. Webster. still more decisive
~ and sternly The Little GIANT was
bold. ready man. not easily oVera"eo or
dsconcerted but II he did not qulVer
under the eye and voice of WEBSTER 'hen
my eyesight deceived me-and was very
near him.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20

?ard the life from which these women nav,
come.
And what is the Bedford method? The
answer TO that question is interesting for
its own sake. for Bedford is like Balzac
novel. In little isolated world OF It's
own it sweeps the whole human scale. and
good and evil. tears and laughter, birth
and love and death are all there.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-06-13
LAST RELICS OF THE MAINE
Six Thousand Pounds Of Brass and
Bronze Fittings Stripped From
Vessel Cast In Tablets.

New York.-Six thousand pounds OF
relics from the U. 8. 8. Maine, which
were taken from the battleship before
she was towed out to sea from Ha-
vana and given her final resting place,
have arrived at the John Williams
bronze foundry, to be cast into a 1T
ting and permanent memorial.
This disposition of the brass and
bronze fittings of the battleship which
for twelve years had lain beneath the
sea is in accordance with an act OF
congress.
The parts Of the wreck that were
thought to be suitable for the purpose
were first sent to Washington, where
they were melted together, purified
and cast into thirty-pound ingots. 1t is
in this form that all that Is left Of
the Maine has just arrived in New
York.
One thousand tablets, designed by
Charles Keck OF this city, are being
cast by the Williams foundry, and will
be delivered upon request to patriotic
societies all over the country. Two
hundred applications have already
been received at the Office of the as
sistant secretary Of the navy.
The tablets will have a natural
bronze finish; they will weigh twelve
and half pounds and measure 13 by Is
inches.