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Show THE FREEPORT DEBATE. I The President's speech at the dedication of the I Freeport, Ills., in remembiance of the fateful de- H jate there between Douglas and Lincoln in 185S, H was good, but it as impiomptu and spoken, as it B wc-ie, on the wing, and did not quite fill the re- 9 Rirements of the occasion. Two giants met there Bid what was said on that occasion was potential poten-tial in shaping the events of the succeeding two t'urs, until the stage was fully set and the first Mreat act of the mighty tragedy was called. But B-hen those giants met in contest something more Has made clear than their divergent political jews and to study that difference should be as Biuch of a concernment to the student of his-pry, his-pry, as should he the theme debated. They were pike in patriotism, neither had any other thought Hp high as what was best for native land, but more was a vast difference between them and this Bas brought out in the debate. One loved noth-Bg noth-Bg else so much as power and place; the other, Ehile ambitious, while coveting lienors and ap-B-oval, never saw a moment that he would net Mrvo given way to any other, had he realized that Bie other could serve the people better than could Se. At Freeport Douglas had upon him the ail By one who was bending down to instruct tha nerple, Lincoln that of one who coming out from Wme people was only anxious to discover in -what way the people could best be served. These tw6 motives unconsciously impressed the audience, When the words spoken by each were published, Bfcese two motives shone out through the types BkhI made their impressions on the hearts of men. BBne was polished, learned, acute and practiced in Wml oratorial effects; the other was awkward; in many ways uncouth; he made no attempt to be BRoquent; he used no lofty and sonorous phrases Bio beguile his hearers; from the language he BSfaose only the simplest and most direct words, Bfeut the thoughts these words conveyed, arrested nbc attention and compelled those who listened Bb think. One charmed the eyes and ears of the Bpeople, the other struck the vibrant chords in Bften's souls and thrilled them as they had never Bcen thrilled before. This was more fully Brought out at the Gettysburg battle field dedica-Bon. dedica-Bon. There a more profound scholar and more IBnished orator than Douglas charmed his hearers fcr two and a half hours. When he had finished Hhe listen eis felt that the theme was exhausted Bhat all that could be said had been said and no rone could have done better. K: Then the uncouth man arose and read a few words irom some penciled notes ne had made while on the cars en route. R Then the listeners realized how it was that Ben were great before books were made and be-fere be-fere language was reduced to a perfect form. H They realized that a new indebtedness was due Bom them to the soldiers who had died in the Bgar, they felt a higher sense of duty to native Bnd. BE The speeches at Freeport were but part of Blie setting of the stage for the tragedy that was B5 follow. Another debate quite as thrilling was BEeld In Oregon, to round' the west into form; the Silling of Broderick in California was but anoth-gr anoth-gr gloomy filling for the stage which Destiny was getting. The Infinite was weary of human slav-gBwy slav-gBwy and was preparing the souls of men, not only Kr its exterpation, but to teach them what pen jBgjties must be executed for National wrongs. It jKi all a history which should inspire the most Brarofound and solicitious study of all succeeding generations of Americans. |
