Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1901 — WHERE DOUGLAS LOST. [ARTICLE]

WHERE DOUGLAS LOST.

Lincoln's Long-Headedneae Won Him the Presidency. Perhaps no anecdote ever told of Mr. Lincoln illustrates more forcibly his “long-headedness” in laying plans, not even that incident whfen he asked the “jedge” a question in his debate with Mr. Douglas, which may be told as follows: Oue afternoon during that joint de-~ bate, says the Independent, Mr. Lincoln was sitting with his friends, planning the program, when he was observed to go off In a" kind of reverie, aud for some time appeared totally oblivious to everything around him. Then slowly bringing his right hand up, holding it a moment In the air, and letting it fall with a quick slap upon his thigh, he said: “There, I am going to ask the ‘Jedge’ (he always called him ‘the Jedge’) a question to-night, and I don't care the ghost of a continental which way he answers It If he answers it one way it will lose him the senatorship. If he answers it in the other way It will lose him the presidency.” No one asked him what the question was, but that evening it was the turn for Mr. Douglas to speak first, and right in the midst of his address, all at once, Mr. Lincoln roused up, as if a new thought had suddenly struck him, and said: “Jedge, will you allow me to ask you one question?” “Certainly,” said Mr. Douglas. “Suppose, Jedge, there was a new town or colony just started in some western territory, and suppose there was precisely 100 householders—voters—there, and suppose, Jedge, that 99 did not want slavery and one did. AVhat would be done about it?” Judge Douglas beat about the bush, but failed to give a direct answer. “No, no, Jedge, that won't do. Tell us plainly whnt will be done about it.” Again Douglas tried to evade, but Lincoln would not be put off, and he insisted that a direct answer should be given. At Inst Douglas admitted that the majority would have their way, by Borne means or other. Mr. Lincoln said no more. He had secured what he wanted. Douglas had nnswered the question ns Illinois people would hnve answered it, and he got the senatorship. But that answer was not satisfactory to the people of the South. In 1800 the Charleston convention split in two factions, and it “Inst him tho presidency,” and it made Abraham Linncoln President.