somewhat marred by the raised seats falling, when they were filled with people, a short time previous to the commencement of the speaking. A few persons were injured, but not dangerously. One or two had limbs broken."

[Whig, Quincy, Ill., October 25, 1858]

The last joint debate between Lincoln and Douglas demonstrated that the latter, like the comet, is getting farther and farther from the earth.

[HON. CARL SCHURZ in McClure's Magazine, January, 1907, by permission of the S. S. McClure Co.]

"When we arrived at Quincy, we found a large number of friends waiting for him [Lincoln]; there was much hand-shaking, and many familiar salutations were exchanged. Then they got him into a carriage, much against his wish, for he said that he would prefer to 'foot it to Browning's,' an old friend at whose house he was to have supper and a quiet night. But the night was by no means quiet outside. The blare of brass bands and the shouts of enthusiastic and not in all cases quite sober Democrats and Republicans, cheering and hurrahing for their respective champions, did not cease until the small hours.

The next morning the country people began to stream into town for the great meeting, some singly, on foot or on horseback, some in small parties of men and women and even children, in buggies or farm wagons; while others were marshaled in solemn procession from outlying towns or districts, with banners and drums, tricolored scarfs, who represented the Goddess of Liberty and the different states of the Union, and whose beauty was duly admired by everyone, including themselves.

On the whole, the Democratic displays were much more elaborate and gorgeous than those of the Republicans, and it was said that Douglas had plenty of money to spend for such things. He himself traveled in what was called in those days great style, with a secretary and servants and a numerous escort of somewhat loud companions, moving from place to place by special train, with cars especially decorated for the occasion, all of which contrasted strongly with Lincoln's extremely modest simplicity. There was no end of cheering and shouting and jostling on the streets of Quincy that day. But in spite of the excitement created by the political contest, the crowds remained very good natured,

and the occasional jibes flung from one side to the other were uniformly received with a mere laugh.

The great debate took place in the afternoon in the open square, where a large, pine-board platform had been built for the committee of arrangements, the speakers, and the persons they wished to have with them. I thus was favored with a seat on that platform. In front of it many thousands of people were assembled, Republicans and Democrats standing peacefully together, only chaffing one another now and then in a good-tempered way.

As the champions arrived, they were demonstratively cheered by their adherents. The presiding officer agreed upon by the two parties called the meeting to order and announced the program of proceedings. Mr. Lincoln was to open with a speech of one hour, Senator Douglas was to follow with a speech of one hour and a half, and Mr. Lincoln was to close with a speech of a half hour. The first part of Mr. Lincoln's opening address was devoted to a refutation of some things Douglas had said at previous meetings. This refutation may, indeed, have been required for the settlement of disputed points, but it did not strike me as anything extraordinary, either in substance or in form.

Neither had Mr. Lincoln any of those physical advantages which usually are thought to be very desirable, if not necessary, to the orator. His voice was not musical, being rather high-keyed and apt to turn into a shrill treble in moments of excitement; but it was not positively disagreeable. It had an exceedingly penetrating, far-reaching quality. The looks of the audience convinced me that every word he spoke was understood at the remotest edges of the vast assemblage. His gestures were awkward. He swung his long arms sometimes in a very ungraceful manner. Now and then, to give particular emphasis to a point, he would bend his knees and body with a sudden downward jerk and then shoot up again with a vehemence that raised him to his tiptoes and made him look much taller than he really was-a manner of enlivening a speech which at that time was, and perhaps still is, not unusual in the West, but which he succeeded in avoiding at a later period.

There was, however, in all he said, a tone of earnest truthfulness, of elevated, noble sentiment, and of kindly sympathy, which added greatly to the strength of his argument, and became, as in the course of his speech he touched upon the moral side of the question in debate, powerfully impressive. Even when he was attacking his opponent with keen

satire or invective, which, coming from any other speaker, would have sounded bitter and cruel, there was still a certain something in his utterance which made his hearers feel that those thrusts came from a reluctant heart, and that he would-much rather have treated his foe as a friend.

When Lincoln had sat down amid the enthusiastic plaudits of his adherents, I asked myself with some trepidation in my heart,'What will Douglas say now?' Lincoln's speech had struck me as something very clear, logical, persuasive, convincing even, and very sympathetic; but not as something overwhelming. Douglas, I thought, might not be able to confute it, but by the cunning sophistry at his command, and by one of his forceful appeals to prejudice, he might succeed in neutralizing its effects.

No more striking contrast could have been imagined than that between those two men as they appeared upon the platform. By the side of Lincoln's tall, lank and ungainly form, Douglas stood almost like a dwarf, very short of stature, but square-shouldered and broadchested, a massive head upon a strong neck-the very embodiment of force, combativeness, and staying power. On the stage at Quincy he looked rather natty and well-groomed, being clothed in excellently fitting broadcloth and shining linen. But his face seemed a little puffy, and it was said that he had been drinking hard with some boon companions either on his journey or since his arrival. The deep horizontal wrinkle between his keen eyes was unusually dark and scowling. While he was listening to Lincoln's speech, a contemptuous smile now and then flitted across his lips, and when he arose, the tough parliamentary gladiaator, he tossed his mane with an air of overbearing superiority, of threatening defiance, as if to say: 'How dare any one dare stand up against me ?'

When the debate at Quincy was over, the champions were heartily cheered by their partisans, the assemblage dissolved peaceably, the brass bands began to play again-several of them within hearing of one another, so as to fill the air with discordant sounds-and the country people, with their wagons and their maidens in white, got in motion to return to their homes."

CHAPTER XI

THE ALTON DEBATE

[St. Louis Evening News, October 14, 1858] DOUGLAS AND LINCOLN AT ALTON

Douglas and Lincoln will speak at Alton to-morrow at ten o'clock. To enable persons in St. Louis to attend, the Baltimore will leave the levee at 7 o'clock, A. M., and return in the evening.

Also, the White Cloud will start from the Union Line wharf-boat at half past 8 A. M. for Alton, and return in the evening. These are excellent chances offered our citizens to attend the great speaking match.

[Missouri Republican, St. Louis, October 15, 1858]
DOUGLAS AND LINCOLN

AT ALTON TO-DAY, FRIDAY, 15TH

The Fine Passenger Steamer

"WHITE CLOUD"

Will leave the Union Railroad Line wharf-boat, foot of Olive street, at half past 9 o'clock, returning in the evening, after the speaking. Fare for round trip $1. Come one, come all.

[Illinois State Register, October 14, 1858]

THE ALTON DEBATE

All democrats intending to go to Alton tomorrow to attend the discussion, will please report themselves at the rooms of Gen. Curran by 10 o'clock this morning, for the purpose of entering into certain arrangements for the excursion. The military and music will be on hand. The railroad company will carry passengers at half fare. The train will leave at 6.30 to-morrow morning.

[Illinois State Journal, October 14, 1858]

EXCURSION TO ALTON.-In accordance with our suggestion, the Chicago and Alton Railroad Company has consented to issue excursion tickets at half fare for all who desire to visit Alton tomorrow to witness. the last great debate of the season between Lincoln and Douglas

This is a fine opportunity for such as desire to be present, and we hope there will be a large turn-out.

All persons who design going on this excursion are requested to leave word at the JOURNAL OFFICE, or Gen. Curran, in order that sufficient cars may be provided. It is expected that a band of music and one of the military companies will go with the party from this city.

[Missouri Republican, St. Louis, October 15, 1858]
THE DEBATE AT ALTON

To-day comes off the debate between Douglas and Lincoln, at Alton, which is the last of the joint discussions between the two. It is expected that there will be a great attendance. The applications for special trains on the railroads, by persons desirous of being present on the occasion, show the general interest which is felt in this meeting.

[Illinois State Journal, October 16, 1858]

FOR ALTON.-A delegation of our citizens including the "Springfield Cadets," and "Merritt's Cadet Band" visited Alton on yesterday to hear the last debate between Lincoln and Douglas. The "Little Dodger" thanks his stars that these joint debates are ended at last.

[Chicago Press and Tribune, October 15, 1858]

THE LAST OF THE SERIES

The last of the seven discussions between Lincoln and Douglas, into which the latter was forced by his friends much against his own inclination and judgment, takes place today at Alton.

It is entirely safe to predict, whatever may be the future political relations of the two men, that Douglas will never again dare to break the lance with Lincoln. He has had enough of that to satisfy him the remainder of his natural life.

THE ALTON DEBATE

Alton, October 15, 1858

Senator Douglas's Speech

Long and loud bursts of applause greeted Senator Douglas, when he appeared on the stand. As he was about to commence speaking, he was interrupted by Dr. Hope, one of the Danite faction.