Perth Amboy evening news., 1913-02-06

ham Lincoln aud Stephen a.
douglas. and yet they constitute 10 this
day the greatest forensic struggle ol
the kind In the history Of the nation.
Douglas at the time was United stateo
senator and was not only the 40 Oh
his marty. but was generally regarueo
as the most brilliant politician aha the
foremost debiter IN the land. Li.h1'ii
was little known outside or ILLINOIS,
While he had the unanimous support
of his party IN the stute for United
States senator. his friends had lhlSGl'-
ipgs that he would not be able to meet
the great Douglas. Lincoln himself
brought about the debates. however,
because he wanted to reach the Demo-
Gratis with his arguments.
There were seven of the debates. the
first occurring at Ottawa. seventy miles
southwest of Chicago. on Ang. Il; the
second at F~reeport. In the extreme
north of the state. six days later the
third Mt JoneSlUro. In almost the eA-
IRENE south. on Sept. 10; the fonrtn III
Charleston. In the east central portion
of the state, three days later: the ntln
at CalesburG. In the western part OK
the state. on Oct. {; the skin ut yum
~ on the banks OF the MISSISSIPPI
Oct. "a. and the last at Alton. a short
distance north Of st. Louis. Oct. II.
The arrangements were that Senator
Douglas should open with an hohr' eir'
'ncoln following with an hour ana
- N,,uJ,, chasing with hAI1 Hi
hour on the first day. Lincoln opening
with an hour. Douglas following w11a
mn bour and a half and Lincoln closing
with half mn hour on the second Gay
and thus alternating regularly.
All of this In now n twice told tnie'
vet II n one IN which the interest Is
perennial. Historians are generally
agreed that these debates not only
gave AIr. Lincoln the Republican nofnl-
nation for the presidency. but forced
Douglns into a position where 10 WIN
the s%enatorShip he had to ALLEVIATE
southern support. thus dividing inc
Democracy IL 1860 and making LID
colu's election possible.
Tie debates naturally created ire
mendous excitement. and the crowds
were record breakers for that day.
Douglas began In Il jannty vein. ana
his references to Lincoln were patron
ling. His opponent responded with
straight and serious argument, refus-
ing to resort to the wit for which ne
was famous. MIR. Lincoln's chief
weapons were logic and clarity OF
statement, and before the struggle was
over he had his antagonist worried.
The Little Giant" lost his temper
on several occasions. INDUCED In per-
sanalities and on one occasion charged
Lincoln with attending a convention
and ...lping frame a radical set OF reso-
lutions with which re had not the re-
hottest connection. When this trick
was exposed 1t brought condemnation
on Douglas throughout the land. His
personalities also gave Offense. On b
whole. the moral effect Of victory was
with Lincoln. The ability with which
he presented the Republican position
nation wide attention.
The contrast between the two speak
erx was 80 marked AZ to be almos
lrdicrous. Douglas WAS as short and
heavy as Lincoln was tall and lean.
Douglas voice was deep. and his
~ennnciation slow and somewhat pom
derons. I.incoln's vo!re was pitched
rather high. but had great carrying
rower. Douglas sometimes attacked
his audiences. made bitter remarks
about the BLACK Republicans and on
at least n occasion talked about
lighting his opponent. Lincoln was al
ways good natured. eminertly fair and
personally respectful In his attitude.
Douglas was boiSterously cheered for
his oratory. vet his hearers could re-
member little that he said. Lincoln
usually won less partisan applause, but
his points stuck In the minds of his
audiences for years afterward. lie at
tempted m flights Of rhetoric. no ap-
reals to passion or prejudice. but de-
pended on straight. herd reasoning.
All the meetings were very large.
with the exception OF those at Jones'
boro and Alton. One OF the biggest
was mt Cin!eShurg. where the stand
WAS erected in front of Knox college.
Here the crowd was with Lincoln. At
nearly all of the debates the farmers
drove in for fifty mics around. camp
ing out on the prairie where
dations conld not be found. Reporters
were present from the big papers one
tr more OF the New York dailies and
.early all those Of Chicago being repre-
scented.
The debate that has taken the chief
place in htstnvy WINS that n Erceport.
ife'c t)n-S--i ~pronoCnded his famous
second question regarding the right of
the people of II teritory to exclI.t:e
slavery before tne Abolition of a consI-
tuition Douglas lad asked Lincoln a
number nj questions at Ottawa, and
~ report. which was the next meet
ing point. Lincoln said he would reply
t. his opponents interrogations II
Judge Douglas would answer nm equal
lumber When asked directly If be
would accept the terms Douglas re-:
manned silent. Lincoln then said he
would answer his opponents questions
whether Judge Douglas reciprocated or
NOT. He thereupou proceeded to do 90.
AFTER which he propounded hi, own
questions to Doui as. The second Of
these. 1t Is claimed. lost the senator.
snip to Lincoln. but lost the presidency
to Dourlax