THE LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS DEBATE.

HE discussions between Lincoln and Douglas

THE

in 1858 were the most famous political joint debates in American history. These men were rival candidates for the position of United States senator from Illinois. They represented the conservative positions on the slavery question, though at the time each was thought to be extremely radical-Lincoln being opposed to the extension of slavery under any conditions, and Douglas being in favor of leaving the people of a Territory to decide it for themselves. The immediate issue involved related to the extension of slavery into Kansas.

Douglas was the champion of what he termed "squatter sovereignty;" that is, that the settlers of a Territory at the time of its proposed admission to the Union of States should, in the provisional constitution, determine whether slavery should be permitted in the new State or not.

The position of Douglas had arrayed against him many anti-slavery Democrats in the North, and pro-slavery Democrats in the South, besides President Buchanan, whom Douglas had antagonized.

The campaign therefore, for these reasons, at tracted national attention, and was regarded, so far as Douglas was concerned, the beginning of the Presidential campaign of 1860, it being generally understood that he hoped and expected to be the Democratic candidate for the Presidency.

Both men were trained speakers, and popular. Douglas's friends loved to call him "the Little Giant," and the friends of Lincoln, who was physically and intellectually a giant, loved to call him "Honest Old Abe." Lincoln believed that he and his cause had more to gain than lose by comparison with Douglas before the people, and he forced the issue by proposing the joint debate. Douglas accepted, and seven joint debates were arranged.

These debates were held in the open air. The crowds attending them were so great that no hall in the State of Illinois could have accommodated them. Farmers with their sons rode twenty, thirty, forty, and even fifty miles, carrying provisions with them, and camping out in their wagons on the way. Isaac N. Arnold in his "Life of Lincoln," says: "The friends of Douglas who managed the machinery of the campaign, did it well. A special train of cars, a band of music, a cannon to thunder forth his approach, and a party of ardent and enthusiastic friends accompanied him to cheer and encourage; so that his passage from place to place

was like that of a conquering hero. The Democratic party, so long dominant in Illinois, were now, from Douglas down, confident, and his partisans full of bluster and brag. They everywhere boasted, and were ready to bet, that their 'Little Giant' would use up and utterly demolish' 'Old Abe.'

"They were so noisy and demonstrative; they seemed so absolutely sure of success, that many of the Republicans, unconscious of the latent power of Lincoln, became alarmed. Douglas had so uniformly triumphed, and his power over the people was so great, that many were disheartened, and feared the ordeal of a joint discussion, which would certainly expose the weaker man. This feeling was apparent in the editorials of some of the leading Republican newspapers.

"Just before the joint discussion, which was to take place at Ottawa, there was a large gathering at the Chenery House, then the leading hotel at Springfield. The house was filled with politicians, and so great was the crowd that large numbers were out of doors, in the street and on the sidewalk. Lincoln was there, surrounded by his friends; but it is said that he looked careworn and weary.

"He had become conscious that some of his party friends distrusted his ability to meet successfully a man who, as the Democrats declared and believed,

had never had his equal on the stump. Seeing an old friend from Vermilion County, Lincoln came up, and, shaking hands, inquired the news. His friend replied: 'All looks well; our friends are wide awake; but,' he continued, 'they are looking forward with some anxiety to these approaching joint discussions with Douglas.' A shade passed over Lincoln's face, a sad expression came and instantly passed, and then a blaze of light flashed from his eyes, and his lips quivered. 'I saw,' said his friend, 'that he had penetrated my feelings and fears, and that he knew of the apprehensions of his friends. With his lips compressed, and with a manner peculiar to him, half jocular, he said: "My friend, sit down a minute, and I will tell you a story." We sat down on the doorstep leading into the hotel, and he then continued: "You and I, as we traveled the circuit together attending court, have often seen two men about to fight. One of them, the big or the little giant, as the case may be, is noisy and boastful; he jumps high in the air, strikes his feet together, smites his fists, brags about what he is going to do, and tries hard to skeer the other man. The other says not a word." Lincoln's manner became earnest, and his look firm and resolute. "The other man says not a word, his arms are at his side, his fists are clenched, his teeth set, his head settled firmly on his shoulders, he saves his breath and

Good-bye," said he, From that moment I

strength for the struggle. This man will whip, just as sure as the fight comes off. "and remember what I say." felt as certain of Lincoln's triumph as after it was won.''

Both speakers knew how to interest a crowd, and Lincoln was famous for his stories. But it came to be noticed that as the debates continued, Lincoln's stories diminished in number, while his earnestness in presenting the great moral issue of the campaign and his appeals for justice increased. It was observed, too, that while the people laughed at Douglas's stories, they went away after Lincoln's speech with thoughtful faces, and talked seriously among themselves of the points made by him.

The more important of the debates related to a series of questions presented by each speaker to the other. Those asked by Douglas are not of special interest in this connection, but the entire debate should be read by every young American. The questions asked by Mr. Lincoln are of importance because Douglas's answers to these questions, no doubt, led to the division of the Democratic party in 1860, his defeat for the Presidency, and the election of Lincoln.

These questions were:

"1. If the people of Kansas shall, by means entirely unobjectionable in all other respects, adopt a