always been understood that Mr. Harding was to speak, to explain the mechanism of the reapers. So this motion excluded either Mr. Lincoln or Mr. Stanton. By the custom of the bar, as between counsel of equal standing, and in the absence of any action. by the client, the original counsel speaks. By this rule Mr. Lincoln had the precedence. Mr. Stanton suggested that Mr. Lincoln make the speech. Mr. Lincoln answered, "No, you speak." Mr. Stanton replied, "I will;" and taking up his hat, said hc would go and make preparation. Mr. Lincoln acquiesced in this, but was deeply grieved and mortified; he took but little more interest in the case, though remaining until the conclusion of the trial. He seemed to be greatly depressed, and gave evidence of that tendency to melancholy which so marked his character in after years. His parting words on leaving the city cannot be forgotten. Cordially shaking the hand of his hostess, he said: "You have made my stay here most agreeable, and I am a thousand times obliged to you; but, in reply to your request for me to come again, I must say to you I never expect to be in Cincinnati again. I have nothing against the city, but things have so happened here as to make it undesirable for me ever to return."

If Mr. Lincoln was "surprised and annoyed at the treatment he received from Mr. Stanton, the latter was no less surprised, and a good deal more disgusted, on seeing Mr. Lincoln and learning of his connection with the case. He made no secret of his contempt for the "long, lank creature from Illinois," as he afterwards described him, "wearing a dirty linen duster for a coat, on the back of which the per

spiration had splotched wide stains that resembled at dirty map of the continent." He blurted out his wrath and indignation to his associate counsel, declaring that if "that giraffe" was permitted to appear in the case, he would throw up his brief and leave it. Mr. Lincoln keenly felt the affront, but his great nature forgave it so completely that, recognizing the singular abilities of Mr. Stanton beneath his brusque exterior, he afterwards, for the public good, appointed him to a seat in his Cabinet.

CHAPTER X.

THE memorable campaign opened vigorously on both sides. Each of the leading candidates entered the field, seeking to so influence the State election that the new legislature might be in his favor. Speeches had been made by both, in Springfield, Chicago and Bloomington, where Mr. Lincoln addressed the following note to his opponent:

“MY DEAR SIR-Will it be agreeable to you to make an arrangement for you and myself to divide time, and address the same audiences during the present canvass? Mr. Judd, who will hand you this, is authorized to receive your answer, and, if agreeable to you, to enter into the terms of such arrangement. "Your obedient servant,

"CHICAGO, ILL. July 24, 1858.

A. LINCOLN."

In the correspondence which followed, Douglas acceded to the request, though demurring somewhat at first; and it was finally agreed that they should meet in joint discussion at seven different places, viz., Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy and Alton. In closing his last letter Mr. Douglas said:

"I agree to your suggestion that we shall alternately open and close the discussion. I will speak at Ottawa one hour. You can reply, occupying one

hour and a half, and I will then follow you for a half an hour. We will alternate in like manner at each successive place." It was arranged that the first debate should be held August 21, and the last one October 15.

These seven discussions now rank among the ablest forensic debates that have ever taken place in America, perhaps in the world. They were widely reported in the newspapers, but, as they were delivered without manuscript, the reports failed to do justice to them, and conveyed but an inadequate idea of their effectiveness. The whole country followed the course of the debates with great interest, and from that time Lincoln's reputation transcended sectional bounds and spread throughout the nation. The man who could meet and overcome in debate, Judge Douglas, the redoubted champion of the Senate, could no longer remain unknown.

The personality of the principals was reflected in their speeches. Douglas was fiery and impetuous, making his points with the brilliancy and dash of one who was assured of victory, because he had never known defeat, and with the adroitness which characterized the successful politician.

Lincoln was calm and straightforward. He was quick to see and able to take advantage of any weak point in his adversary's argument, relying less upon his eloquence and magnetism than upon frank statements and clear reasoning to convince his audience.

Douglas excited the more feeling at the time; Lincoln made the deeper and more lasting impression. Douglas was greeted with applause and congratulation for the brilliancy of his efforts; Lincoln made

friends for his cause and influenced votes. The more self-sacrificing of the two, he sought to magnify the cause while he held his own personal interests in the background. A declaration in his Chicago speech well illustrates this. He said: "I do not claim, gentlemen, to be unselfish. I do not pretend that I would not like to go to the United States Senate, I make no such hypocritical pretense; but I do say to you that, in this mighty issue, it is nothing to the mass of the people of the nation, whether or not Judge Douglas or myself shall be heard of after this night; it may be a trifle to either of us, but in connection with this mighty question, upon which hang the destinies of the nation, perhaps, it is absolutely nothing."

The contrast between the two men, in every way, could hardly have been greater, yet each felt that to win the victory would require his very best efforts, and went into the conflict with every power on the alert and every faculty in operation.

When Douglas was congratulated in advance upon the ease with which he would vanquish his opponent, he replied that “he would rather meet any other man in the country in this joint debate than Abraham Lincoln." At another time, he said: "I have known Lincoln for nearly twenty-five years. There were many points of sympathy between us when we first got acquainted. We were both comparatively boys, and both struggling with poverty in a strange land. I was a school-teacher in the town of Winchester, and he a flourishing grocery-keeper in the town of Salem. He was more successful in his occupation than I was in mine, and hence more fortunate in this world's goods. Lincoln is one of those peculiar men who