The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1920-02-06

few. and the most Of the people we're 'tanding.
Democrats and Republicans were packed into a
SOHO mass together, gDod-naturedly talking and
chafnng each other Uoon the stage were seated
prominent men Of both parties. chairman and
secretary, and time keepers who had previously
been agreed upon, were early in their seats, but
made no effort to restrain the great crowd until
after the speakers had arrived aid received the
deafening applause Of their followers
1t was curious utght when the contestants
assembled to their places on the platform-Lin-
coin was so tall and Douglas sf short Lincoln
SO angular and Douglas so sturdy, Lincoln so
spare and Douglas so compact and rotund. They
alternated in opening and closing the debates
the opening speaker an hour, his competitor fol-
lowing with an hour and half and the opening
speaker closing with half an hour.
And the whole country realized the Importance
of this local Illinois contest. 1t was understood
That this was not so much contest of men as Of
principles. From the beginning I'll sembance of
a local personal struggle vanished. The eyes Of
the nation were on the two champions Every
newspaper detailed their speech and action Every
speech was published in full. Msn on either side
made the arguments Of their champion their own.
1t was "Old Abe" and "rhe Little Giant" over
again at every crossroads. Ipois was the DO
litica and moral battle-ground Of the nation
And at Freeport Lincoln made It plain that he
stood ready to sacrifice the sena.orshlp in order
to advance the antislavery cause. At the Ottawa
debate, six days before, Douglas had asked seven
questions as to Lincoln's attitude toward the va
rous phases of slavery and its NJ lnagement At
Freeport Lincoln answered these seven questions
frankly. He confessed his repugnsnce to slavery
but said he did not believe in iml.ediats drastic
action to abolish 1t. He opposed its extension
He declared 1t was the duty Of &C sgress to pro-
hibit slavery in the territories. Ani theI he nut
in turn four questions to Douglas, Of which the
second the momentous question with the far
reaching results.
Lincoln put this question to Dougas against the
frantic protests of his friends anG political adj
visers. They told him It would cause his defeat
and would lose him the senatorshlp And Lin
coins reply was this:
Gentlemen, am killing larger gsme If Doug
las answers he can never be president, and the
battle of 1860 Is worth hundred Of this"
Lincoln, history has shown, was a 100 per
cent patriot and American. 1t Is no disparape-
ment to add that shrewder politician ever ran
for office. To appreciate the shrevsdress OF This
particular move a glance at previous events ia
necessary.
The historic Missouri Compromise" act OF 1890
prohibited slavery in the territories north Of 80
degrees. thirty minutes latitude. This was re-
pealed and congress substituted for 1t Douglas,
Kansas Nebraska act of 1854 THIS empowered
the people of the territories dete mine for Them
selves whether or not they should have slavery.
Then came the "Dred Scott decision" OF the
United States Supreme court in 1857 This held
that congress has exceeded It's authority in the
passage Of the Missouri Compromise act: that
slaves were property and that the owners Of
slaves had the right to take this property into
the territories and hold 1t there like any other
property. no matter what the wishes Of the people
Of the territory In question. This decision was
the direct opposite Of the doctrine of Douglas.
Kansas Nebraska act The decision meant that
slavery could exist in Kansas. whether the Kansas
people were VI were not willing Moreover =
opened the door wide for the extension OF slavery
to the West and North.
When Lincoln ended his single term in congress-
In March Of 1S49 he practically gave up politics
and devoted himself to his law practice. The
passage q the Kansas Nebraska act n 1a61