CHAPTER IX THE GALESBURG DEBATE [Chicago Press and Tribune, October 2, 1858] THE GALESBURG DEBATE GALESBURG, Iowa, Sept. 29, 1858 Editors Press and Tribune: Please inform the readers of your paper the time of the debate between Lincoln and Douglas at Galesburg on the 7th of October. Will it be in the day time or evening, and at what hour. Many Republicans from Muscatine will be there. Insert notice in paper, and oblige, Yours truly, G. W. V. (The previous debates have all commenced at 2 P. M. and we believe that is the hour fixed on by the Galesburg committees.-Eds. P. & T.) [Burlington, Iowa, State Gazette, September 30, 1858] DOUGLAS AT GALESBURG Douglas and Lincoln will address the people at Galesburg on Thursday the 7th of October. Persons desiring to be present on the occasion can do so at a small expense via the Burlington & M. RR. and Chicago & Quincy Railroad. Tickets to Galesburg and back-half fare-good for the 7th and 8th on regular trains. We hope to see a large delegation from Iowa on that occasion. Those coming from towns west of us had better avail themselves of the afternoon train on the 6th in order to make sure of connection. can be had at any of the Railroad ticket offices. [Peoria, Ill., Transcript, October 1, 1858] Tickets THE NEXT GREAT DEBATE BETWEEN LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS The next great debate between Lincoln and Douglas comes off at Galesburg, on Thursday next, the 7th of October, and will attract the largest crowd that has yet assembled to listen to the joint discussions between the two great political champions. It is estimated that not less than 25,000 persons will be in attendance, and the citizens of Galesburg are making extensive preparations for the event. The Peoria, Oquawka and Burlington Railroad are prepared to accommodate all who may desire to pass over their road to attend this this great debate. An extra train will leave this city at 8 in the morning, and returning, leave Galesburg at 6 o'clock in the afternoon. Peoria ought to furnish at least 3,000 persons for this train. Let there be a general pouring out of our citizens. We urge our Republican friends, in particular, to be on hand. An extraordinary effort will be made by the Douglas-worshippers to get out the largest crowd for the occasion. The decided advantage which Mr. Lincoln has heretofore gained over his antagonist in these joint debates, has exasperated them to such an extent that no pains will be spared at Galesburg to regain their lost grounds by giving Douglas as large a number of sympathizers in the audience as possible, who will be desperate in their enthusiasm to the last degree. But the Republican party throughout this section is confident and spirited, and Old Abe will meet with a reception next Thursday, which, in point of zeal and magnificence will far excel anything of the kind ever before witnessed in the West. [Chicago Press and Tribune, October 5, 1858] THE GALESBURG DEBATE.-A WORD TO THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS The fifth public debate between Lincoln and Douglas comes off at Galesburg on Thursday next. We observe from our exchanges in that quarter that preparations are being made for an immense crowd. A special train will leave this city from the Central Depot on Thursday morning at six o'clock, reaching Galesburg at 1:25 P. M. Fare for the round trip six dollars. In this connection we desire to say a word to the Committee of Arrangements for the debate. At none of the previous discussions have there been any adequate accommodations for reporters. It is not a fact that two chairs and a wash-stand eighteen inches square are sufficient furniture for half a dozen men to work on, nor is it always convenient to make a battle against a mob of excited politicians, when the fighting editor is at home. In behalf of ourselves and such other representatives of the press as may be represented, may we request that WEST END OF COLLEGE BUILDING, GALESBURG, ILLINOIS The debating stand was erected against this end of the building arrangements be made for at least six reporters-that the chairs and tables be placed where they will not be jarred or overthrown by the people on the platform and where there will be no room for persons to crowd between the reporters and the speakers-and that somebody with authority and physical strength enough to secure obedience, be appointed to keep loafers out of the reporting corner. These things are absolutely essential to the accuracy of the reports. [Galesburg Democrat, October 6, 1858] We learn that the Republican delegations will arrive tomorrow, as near as possible, in the following order: Knoxville delegation will come with Lincoln, at half-past II A. M., down Main street. Galesburg escort will meet them about a mile from the square. Mercer county delegation will come in from the west, on Main street. Cameron and adjoining towns will come in from the southwest at 12 o'clock. Monmouth delegation on 12 o'clock train. Abingdon delegation on 10 o'clock train, and some in carriages. Henderson, Oneida, Victoria, Rio and Wataga delegations will enter the city from the east on Main street, at about 12 M. Train from Chicago and intermediate stations arrives at 1:25. [Galesburg, Ill., Democrat, October 4, 1858] [For the Galesburg Democrat] Messrs. Editors:-Yesterday as I was passing along Main street I overheard two Douglas men engaged in what I supposed to be earnest conversation. I heard this remark-"Let us take him to the Bonney House, for we can get a HORN there if we want it." From what appeared afterward the said gentlemen were going to meet the little giant at the cars, he being on his way to Oquawka and was to stop over in the city till Monday. It seems Mr. Douglas and his friends like almost any sort of a horn except one spoken of by Prentice in the Louisville Journal, to wit; one offered to them by a certain Trum-Bull who turns up occasionally in different parts of this State. One word in regard to the reception of Mr. Douglas. It was whispered around among a certain few that the Little Giant would arrive on the Peoria train at two o'clock. A self-appointed committee, number |