The Great Debate (Part IV)

Continuing from Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's The Great Debate:

Mr. Lincoln could say scathing things, as he did at Freeport, when he suggested that, when Douglas made the charge that he, Lincoln was responsible for certain abolition resolutions, "The evil genius that had attended him through his life, giving to him an apparent prosperity such as to lead very many good men to doubt their being any advantage in virtue over vice, had at last made up his mind to forsake him."

And, on the occasion of his Columbus, Ohio, speech in September, 1859, replying to the Harper's Magazine Article of Douglas, he said, "Douglas is so put up by nature, that a lash upon his back would hurt him, but a lash upon anybody else's back would not hurt him."

It requires a little reflection to grasp all this implies. When we recall the full purport of the injunction "Remember those in bonds, as bound with them," and how completely Mr. Douglas had failed to express any sympathy with those who here held as chattels, we will better understand the severity of Lincoln's statement.

Apparently he had no regard for suffering, if the suffering happened to be under a black skin. He was put up by nature in that way. Mr. Lincoln was put up in another way, hence these "Great Debates," which made such history, that they will never pass into oblivion, even though this great dome of steel and stone in which they are commemorated, may crumble to dust.

But, as was intimated, there came a change after the election in November, 1860. Douglas holding the hat of Lincoln during the delivery of his first inaugural address; Douglas advising with Lincoln, and suggesting that troops could be got into Washington through Annapolis, instead of through hostile Baltimore; Douglas asserting that "there are but two parties now, patriots and traitors," had truly "sunk the partisan in the patriot," had forgotten himself and his ambition, in his loyalty to the Union.

All the good he did has not been written, he not only saw himself that there was a deliberate design to break up this government, but he helped others to see it also.

An incident has been related to the writer, showing his usefulness in this direction, which, while it may not be true to the letter, it is highly probable that it is correct in substance.

When Douglas was in Springfield, after the called Session of the Senate had adjourned, in the spring of 1861, he was met on the square near the old Statehouse, by John A. Logan, who immediately commenced to rail at him for his treason to their party. Those who know Logan's firery nature, and the richness of his vocabulary, can easily imagine that it was no Sunday School style of address he used in upbraiding his great leader. Douglas heard him in silence for a while, then, taking him by the arm, said, "Come in here, John," and led him into a room of the Capitol, where they were closeted for an hour or more. When they came out Logan's eyes were wet. In that interview, the particulars of which will never be known, except so far as its results appear, Logan like Saul, "had seen the light and heard the voice." and thenceforth to his ever lasting honor be it said that he was "among the 'greatest of the Apostles' of Liberty and Union."

The incident, if true, is greatly to the credit of both men and adds another to the momentous historical events which have taken place in the old Statehouse, which, let it not be forgotten, Lincoln was so largely instrumental in placing where it stands. Surely they cannot be acquainted with its history, who favor tearing it down.

graphic by Jeff Bucchino, "The Wizard of Draws"