Ottawa and Freeport (not more than 1,500 persons being present) the debate itself is, in many respects, the most important one yet held. Its principal features were the new and powerful arguments introduced by Mr. Lincoln in exposing the position of Douglas on the Dred Scott decision, and an exhibition of Democratic platforms in Northern Illinois in 1850-52. As this portion of Mr. Lincoln's speech is highly interesting and important, we shall give it to our readers in full. Mr. Douglas' opening speech was, from beginning to end, in language and substance, the same that he delivered in Ottawa. He went over the old ground of Negro equality, popular sovereignty, the rights of States, &c. The salient points of his closing speech were an explanation that when he told his Joliet falsehoods he was only in fun, (leaving the inference that he was probably drunk,) a nimble bound over and dodge under Mr. Lincoln's question as to whether he would or would not give the territorial slave holders Congressional protection should they demand it, and the closing lampoon of his birthplace to the effect that "Vermont is a good State to be born in, provided you emigrate when very young"-the same silly anecdote and shameful libel that he has used in every speech he has made since the opening of the campaign. These discussions are resulting in a decided triumph of Mr. Lincoln over his opponent. The dispassionate and able manner in which he addressed the people, and the masterly manner in which he upholds Republicanism and exposes Democracy, elicits the admiration of the whole country. We are more and more convinced of his superiority over Mr. Douglas in every respect—as a debater, a statesman and an upright and incorruptible man. The resources of his mind are perfectly inexhaustible. No man in the nation has a more intimate knowledge of our political affairs, or knows better how to use that knowledge effectively. [Chicago Journal, September 17, 1858] THE DOUGLAS AND LINCOLN DEBATE IN LOWER EGYPT JONESBORO', Sept. 15, 1858 The first debate in "Egypt," between Douglas and Lincoln, took place here today. As compared with the audiences they had at Ottawa and Freeport, the crowd present at this debate was small, and lacking in enthusiasm. There were not two thousand people in attendance. The extra excursion train from Cairo, for the State Fair at Centralia, brought up Senator Douglas and his cannon this evening. We came up on the same train, and were surprised that notwithstanding the cannon was fired on the arrival at each station, not a solitary cheer was given, nor any sign of enthusiasm manifested, for Douglas, at any of the Stations, between Cairo and Jonesboro'. We say we were surprised at this, for the reason that we have heard so much about "Egypt" boiling with excitement in favor of the Little Giant. This is not true. Like a thousand other things we read in his organs and hear his fuglers say, it is bogus. There is no enthusiasm-no excitement, in this region for Douglas. We say this candidly, and mention it only to show that even in this strong "Democratic" section, where Douglas has been represented as invulnerable and unassailable, the utmost indifference exists regarding him. We are assured by gentlemen residing here, that there is a strong probability that the Buchanan Democratics-the adamantine "Nationals" are strongly in the ascendant over the Douglas bolters, and that in some localities hereaway there are even more Lincoln men than Douglas men. Think of that! "Egypt" becoming republicanized, or, as Douglasite libellers would say, "Abolitionized"! Jonesboro' itself, the very center of "Egypt," is a Republican town! This shows that the great, patriotic and righteous principles of the Republican party, which Mr. Lincoln so faithfully represents, and so ably advocates and defends before the people, are progressing and finding their way to the popular heart even in regions that Republicans have regarded as hopelessly given over to the worship of false gods. All that the Egyptians, as well as others, require to bring them into the support of Republicanism is to have our principles, sentiments and objects fairly and fully explained to them, so that they will understand them, and become disabused of the false notions regarding the Republican party, which Douglas and his blowers have by misrepresentation and falsehood, impressed upon them. But I must say something about the "reception" Douglas and his cannon were honored with here. It was highly amusing, and to the Senator himself, evidently a disappointment. When the train arrived at the Station, his cannon (he always carries it with him, on an extra wood car attached to the train) fired his own salute, and a crowd of about a hundred rushed to the cars. He stepped forth, waved his hand, and nobody appearing to take any particular notice of him— (they are a very cool set of people down here, notwithstanding the hot weather they are having)-he went to a carriage prepared for him and left. There was no cheering-no anything. Bye and bye, three boys came along with Douglas banners, and a couple of big men with a big American flag, which the Senator brought with him in the train and they walked into the middle of the street and halted, expecting "the people" to follow them in procession behind Douglas' carriage. But "the people" didn't! The three boys and the two big men, with the banners and the big flag, then concluded to march, and off they went up street, presenting a spectacle that excited the laughter and ridicule of "the people." It being customary for some journalists to ridicule and burlesque the men and the meetings of their opponents, however unjustly, some may think that this was written in that spirit, but it is not. In saying that Douglas' "reception" here was the most ludicrous failure that we have ever witnessed in a political campaign, we speak in candor and assert the simple truth, however much such a fact may surprise those who are laboring under the mistaken notion that "Egypt is all for Douglas." The town was exceedingly quiet, and the people scattered about here and there, until 2 o'clock when the crowd gathered in the grove near by, and the debate commenced. Senator Douglas opened in a speech of an hour, was followed by Mr. Lincoln in an hour and a half, and Douglas wound up the discussion in a half hour's rejoinder. There was no attempt to interfere with either of the speakers, and all went off orderly and well. After the debate, cheers were given for Lincoln and for Douglas; and Gen. Linder being lively called for, mounted the stand and made a short Douglas speech. Hon. John Dougherty was also called on, and made a stirring Buchanan speech, denouncing Douglas in the strongest possible terms. [Lowell, Mass., Journal and Courier, September 22, 1858] THE SENATORIAL CANVASS IN ILLINOIS.-The Third senatorial discussion between Douglas and Lincoln took place at Jonesboro', Southern Illinois, on the 15th inst. Jonesboro' is one of the darkest regions of "Egypt," thirty miles from Cairo, and three hundred from Chicago. Union county, in which it is situated, gave at the Presidential election 46 votes for Fremont, 246 for Fillmore, and 1283 for Buchanan. Here, Douglas was supposed to be on his own ground, and in his own. classic phrase, he was here to bring Lincoln "to his milk." According to the correspondent of the New York Evening Post, however, his suc cess was not very flattering. There were only about 1200 persons in attendance, showing less enthusiasm on the part of the friends of Douglas than might have been expected. About one half of these were Douglas men, one fourth Buchananites, and the remainder Republicans. Mr. Douglas' speech was not marked by his usual ability, and his delivery was very bad, while Lincoln's speech was said to have been the best he had delivered. Union county promises to give the Republican ticket three or four hundred votes, which is more than the Fremont and Fillmore vote combined in 1856. [Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, September 29, 1858] NOT EXACTLY Douglas said that he was going to bring "Old Abe" "to his milk" down in Egypt. The report of their speeches has gone abroad to the world and the Louisville Journal speaks thus of the remarks of Lincoln: "Let no one omit to read them. They are searching, scathing, stunning. They belong to what some one has graphically styled the tomahawking species." CHAPTER VIII THE CHARLESTON DEBATE [The Indiana Journal, Indianapolis, September 1858] The Messenger of the American Express Company who came over the Terre Haute and Alton Road yesterday furnishes us with the following memoranda of the movements of Lincoln and Douglas in Illinois: Sept. 15, 1858 EDITOR JOURNAL: Hon. Abraham Lincoln is at Mattoon today. Douglas is to be there tonight. Tomorrow they speak at Charleston. Each is to be accompanied by processions from Mattoon, taking different routes. There is considerable excitement to see which one has the largest turnout. The "Bowling Green Band" from Terre Haute is employed by the friends of Lincoln to head their procession. FOURTH JOINT DEBATE Mr. Lincoln's Speech Mr. Lincoln took the stand at a quarter before three, and was greeted with vociferous and protracted applause; after which, he said: Ladies and Gentlemen: It will be very difficult for an audience so large as this to hear distinctly what a speaker says, and consequently it is important that as profound silence be preserved as possible. While I was at the hotel to-day, an elderly gentleman called upon me to know whether I was really in favor of producing a perfect equality between the negroes and white people. [Great laughter.] While I had not proposed to myself on this occasion to say much on that subject, yet as the question was asked me, I thought I would occupy perhaps five minutes in saying something in regard to it. I will say, then, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races; [applause] that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say, in addition to this, that there is a physical |