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14
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

tious and honest man, who makes no assertions that he does not know to be true.


It was a proud day for Lincoln. His friends will never forget it. The news had gone abroad that "Lincoln was afraid to meet Douglas;" but when he arose, his manly and fearless form shut up and crushed out the charge. We will not soon forget his appearance as he bowed to the audience, and looked over the vast sea of human heads.


Douglas arose and commenced his answers to Mr. Lincoln—and his eloquence can only be compared to his person—false and brusque. He is haughty and imperative,—his voice somewhat shrill and his manner positive;—now flattering, now wild with excess of madness That trembling fore-finger, like a lash, was his whip to drive the doubting into the ranks. He is a very tyrant.—

When he arose he most evidently was angry for being bearded in the Capitol, and if we judge not wrongly, we affirm that he is conscious of his ruin and doom. The marks and evidences of desolation are furrowed in his face, — written on his brow.

Lincoln next followed Douglas to Peoria and replied to him at that point, October 16, 1854.[1] A fortnight later elections were held for members of the state legislature who would choose in joint session a fellow-senator for Douglas from Illinois.

SENATORIAL ELECTION OF 1854

The legislative elections proved unfortunate for the indorsement of Douglas and brought a large number of anti-Nebraska men into the joint assembly. It seemed that Lincoln's senatorial aspirations were in a fair way to be realized; but at the last moment it was found necessary to elect Judge Trumbull, an anti-Nebraska Democrat, to prevent the choice falling upon Governor Matteson, who was not sound on opposition to the extension of slavery in Kansas.

  1. Nicolay and Hay, Complete Works, I, 180.