Page:Lincolndouglas2184linc.djvu/93

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THE CHALLENGE
57

We suppose Douglas owns neither the railroad trains he travels on, nor the people whom he addresses. We hope Mr. Lincoln will answer Senator Douglas at every point. If he will not invite him to address the same audiences, Lincoln will have the "closing argument" to meetings of his own.

According to authority quoted in the Senator's Springfield speech, "there is no law against it."

[Peoria, Illinois, correspondence to the Philadelphia Press, August 4, 1858]

Lincoln, unable to gather a crowd himself, follows up Douglas and attempts to reply ; but they are mere attempts. His hearers soon become satisfied and by the time he is done begging for a seat in the Senate he finds himself minus an audience.

[Illinois State Register, September 25, 1858]

"WHO FURNISHES THE AUDIENCES?"

Under this caption the Chicago Press and Tribune, of the 23d inst., proceeds to argue that at the joint discussions between Douglas and Lincoln thus far, the friends of the latter have been largely in the ascendant—hence Mr. Lincoln draws the greatest crowds. This conclusion is characteristic of the logical proclivities of that paper, and only lacks one feature—truth.

If this assertion is true, why then does Mr. Lincoln persist in following up Judge Douglas for the ostensible purpose of taking advantage of the large audiences assembled to hear him? For instance look at his last demonstration at Sullivan, where, through his uncourteous behavior, a riot was almost precipitated.

The fact is, Mr. Lincoln can't draw large crowds—the sympathy of the people is not with him—consequently he resorts to this highly disreputable course to make a show. The Chicago organ cannot palm off such logic upon the people of Illinois.

[New York Herald, August 3, 1858]

DOUGLAS AND LINCOLN ON THE STUMP

The Chicago Times states that Douglas and Lincoln met on the 27 ult. at Clinton. The former spoke for three hours, and the latter replied at an evening meeting. The Times indulges in a tirade against Mr. Lincoln, an extract from which will serve to indicate the bitterness of feeling that enters into this contest:

Lincoln was present during the delivery of the speech, sitting immediately in front of Senator Douglas, but rendered invisible from the stand by a gentle-