The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-02-19
Bv MRS. INEz p1cE-KELLER.


shortly before election, in the cam
candidates, Stephen A. Douglas and
Abraham Lincoln,s for election to the
United States Senate.
The question Of slavery between the
North and South had reached the
highest point of tension. President
Buchanan and his cabinet were large
ly in sympathy with the South. Early
in April the Democratic Convention
had nominated Stephen A. Douglas,
whose term in the Senate was about
to expire, for reelection. April 18th
the Republican Convention unanimous
1y nominated Abraham Lincoln as their
first choice to fill the vacancy about
to be created by the expiration of the
term of Douglas. April 18th Lincoln
delivered his memorable speech that
practically set the whole country
afame. He wrote it with the utmost
care and then called meeting of his
Republican associates in Springfield to
talk it over.
It was that epochmaking speech
with the initiatory statements: "A
house divided against itself cannot
stand. / believe this government cam
not exist permanently half slave half
free. l do not expect the union will
be dissolved, / do not expect the
house to fall, but / do expect it will
cease to be divided. 1t will become
all one thing or the other. Either the
opponents of slavery will arrest the
''rther spread of it or place it where
Cne public mind shall rest in the be-
lief that it is in the course of extinc-
tion, or it's adversaries will push it
foreward till it shall become alike
lawful in all the States, old as we'll as
new"
Much Interest in Debates.
The speech made a great impression
among those gathered to discuss it,
one of whom exclaimed, "That speech
will make you President" Others de-
precated the definite stand he had
taken fearing a premature forcing of
national issues. The Democrats on
the contrary reioiced that it gave them
a clear-cut campaign issue. For the
speech was delivered, as originally
written, April 17th (1S60) Mr.. Lincoln
finally declaring-at the time of dis
cussion-that if it drew a pen
across his career" the time had come
to speak definitely, stand by their
convictions, to face the issue.
Thus was inaugurated the campaign
between those two human giants, max
ers of history: Douglas, with his mas
sive intellect and brilliant magnetoria-
tory, and Lincoln, who saw only the
great moral issue upon which national
security and human progress in civili-
cation alone can rest.
Campaign Waxed Hotter.
Hotter and hotter waxed that cam
paign. the preliminary battle, in
the gathering and mastering of for
ces, for the war, that was so surely
to come.
July 7th Douglas made speech from
the balcony of the fremont House, in
Chicago, intended as an answer to the
now famous speech of Lincoln. The
next day, in Springfield, Lincoln re-
piled. Leaving Chicago, Douglas pass
ed down to Bloomington and Spring
field where he spoke on the 10th and
1Ttr respectively. On the latter date,
in Springfield, Lincoln also spoke with
lvincing effect,
At this point the contest took on a
different phase. Certain Republicans
urged Lincoln to draw Douglas into
joint debate and he accordingly sent
him challenge on the Gath of July.
On the 3Oth Douglas accepted the pro-
position, to divide" the time and adj
dress the same audience, naming sew
en- Congressional Districts, outside
Chicago and Springfield, for joint dis
cussions.
During this period the State (Ill.)
Central Committee made many special
appointments for Mr.. Lincoln to speak
and it was his last speech in Spring
field before the election, when partisan
feelings, factional sentiments, and
public opinion in general had reached
the exploding point, that one small
young girls foot was the instrument
employed. by destiny lit would
seem so---to save a nations life. 1t
certainly made the Presidency of Abra-
ham Lincoln possible.
Maid Tripped Assassin.
1t happened in this wise: The great
crowd had gathered in Springfield Fair
grounds, coming from near and far,
tense with suppressed excitement
waiting to hear the speech and realize
its possible significance, when the era
rage bearing Mr.. Lincoln drove up and
deposited him at the foot of the steps
leading to the platform. At the same
moment q young girl arrived from the
side in the carriage of her stepfather,
who was an officer in Mr. Lincoln's
bodyguard, AS she put out her foot to
alight voice behind her cried "I will
kill him! l will kill himl" and a man
rushed foreward on the instant and,
not seeing the extended foot, stumbled
over it and fell 70 the ground loosing
his grasp upon his pistol which fell to
one side. The excitement was terrific
The guard rushed forward and closed
aout MIR. Lincoln. He was not allow
.esa % speak, but was quickly taken from
che platform, hurried to. his carriage,
the horses of which were unhitched
and citizens, taking their place and
thickly surrounded by his guard he
was. born on the run back to the town.
Mr.. Lincoln Was Safe.
1t had all happened so quickly-in
an instant look, glance; and there
was but one thing of moment-Mr. Lin
coin was safe! The young girl utterly
forgot her own part and it was by the
merest accident that she some years
ago happened to mention it to the
writer; but it should, it would seem,
Illake its place among the records that
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