The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1913-02-13
THE FAMOUS LINCOLN
DOUGLAS DEBATE

I'LL IAlUVOO 1klvCVLN.
DOUGLAS DEBATE.
More than fifty years have pass
ed since the famous debates oc-
CURED between Abraham LINCOLN
and stephen A Douglas, ana ye,
they constitute 10 this dsy the
greatest forensic struggle Of the
kind in the history Q. the nation.
Douglas at the time was United
States senator and was not only the
Idol of his party. but Was generally
regarded as the most brilliant poll
sicisn and the foremost debsger in
the land. Lincoln was little known
outside OF Illinois While he had
the unanimous support Of his par
" in the state for United States
senator. his friends had misgivings
that he would not be able to meet
the great Douglas. Lincoln himself,
however. brought about The debates
because he wanted 10 reach the dem
ocrats with his arguments
There were seven OF the debates.
the first occurring III Ottawa, ILL.,
nois. On August 2l: the second al
Freeport SIX days later; the third
AZ Jonesboro on September Is: tie
fourth al Charleston three DAYS IA
ter: the fifth at Galesburg on oc-
fober z; the xir1h al Quincy, oc-
toeer IL, and the last 81 Alton On
October Is.
The arrangements were that Sen
ator Douglas should open with an
hour. Mr.. Lincoln following xith
an hour and half. and Douglas
closing with half an hour on the
first day; Lincoln opening with an
hour. Douglas following with an
hour and 4 half. and Lincoln clos
Ing with half an hour on the seq
ond Gay, and thus Alternating reg
rlariy.
All Of this lis now q twice told
tale Yet il is one in which the in
feresi is perennial Hist orisns' are
generally agreed that these debates
not only gave Mr. Lincoln the 2e-
publican nomination for the. f.esi-
dency, but forced Douglas into
position where 10 win the ssna-
Iorship he had TO ALLEVIATE south
ern support. thus dividing The d.
mocracy in 1860 and making Lin
coins election possible
The debates naturally created
tremendous excitement. znd the
crowds We're record breakers for
that GAY. Douglas began in Il
5aunty vein. and his references %
Lincoln were psrroniztns. His op-
ponent responded With straight End
serious argument. refusing 10 r.
sort 10 the wit for which be WAS
famous Lincoln 6 chief weapons
were logic and clarity Of state
menf. and before the struggle yas
over he had his antagonist Wor-
-isd.
The Little Giant" lost his temper
on several occasions INDUCED IL
personalities. and On one occasion
charged Lincoln with attending a
and helping frame Z
RI dical SET of resolutions with
which he haE not the reInoiest coI-
necflon- When this trick Was ,xpnF-
ed il brought condemnation Oh
Douglas throughout the land Els
personalities also gave cftensa On
The whole. the moral eftec, Of VIC
tory WIS with Lincoln The abb
iIy with which he presented The Re
publican position challenged nation
wide a1IenIion-
10 t...r kn
speakers WIS SO marked Is TO be
almost ludicrcus. Douglas was as
shor1 and heavy as Lincoln WIS
tall and leah Douglas voice Was
deep, and his enUncistiou SLOW anG
somewhat ponderous. Li9colu's
voice WIS pitched rather high. puT
had great carrying power. Dougias
sometimes attacked his audiences,
made bitter remarks about Black
Repu blicsnk," and On IL least one
occasion talked about fighting ms
OPPONENT Lincoln was always good
naInred, eminently fair, and per-
sonally respectful in his attitude.
Douglas WIS boisteroukly cheer
I'd for his orator., vet his HEIR
cOlll 2S0EMb MILK AAEA u
said Lincoln usually won less par
rissn applause. but his points stuck
IN the minds OF his aucisnces for
years afterwards. He attempted no
flights Of rhetoric. no appeals 20
passion or prejudice. but depended
on straight, hard reasoning.
AL the meetings were very well
attended except those OF JonesbC-
70 and Alton One of the biggest
WIS III GRlesburg. where the stand
was erected in front Of Knox col
lege. Here the crowd was with
Lincoln At nearly al the debates
The farmers drove in for fifty miles
around, cRmped OUT On the prairie
where accomm odarions could not be
found. Reporters we're present
fromthe big papers. one or more
Of the New York dailies and hear
fv all ,hf,ca f,< (s1ier pg f,s4inp r~.rsre-