EDITOR'S PREFACE NE of the scarcest Lincoln items is one of comparatively recent date-the issue of the Evening Mail of Galesburg, Ill., Oct. 8, 1908. It was issued to commemorate the semi-centennial of the Lincoln-Douglas debate there, October 7, 1858; and is now almost unprocurable. A number of the largest western libraries were searched for a copy, without success, when one was fortunately discovered in private hands in Galesburg. As a collection of reminiscences of the event, nothing else surpasses it. ORIGINAL ACCOUNT OF THE FAMOUS Written by JASON SHERMAN for the Galesburg "Free Of peculiar interest is the account, especially at this time, of the Lincoln-Douglas debate in Galesburg, Oct. 7, 1858. The following article is from the Galesburg Democrat, whose editor at that time was Jason Sherman. "Great out pouring of people. Twenty thousand persons present." The expectations of all parties were far surpassed in the results o Thursday. The crowd was immense notwithstanding the remarkable heavy rains of the day previous, and the sudden change during the night to a fierce blowing, cutting wind, which lasted during the whole day, ripping and tearing banners and sending signs pell mell all over the town. At early dawn our gunners announced the opening day and at an early hour the people began to pour in from every direction in wagons, on horseback and on foot. ARRIVAL OF DOUGLAS At about ten o'clock the Burlington train arrived with Mr. Douglas and a large delegation of both Douglas and Lincoln men from the west. Mr. Douglas was escorted to the Bancroft house when a portion of the students from Lombard presented him with a beautiful banner. A well prepared, but somewhat fulsome address was made on its delivery by George Elwell, who was followed by two young ladies, each with a symbolic address, the whole of which we could not catch. Mr. Douglas responded with great felicity and his friends were well satisfied with their part in the performance. The banner was a "true circle" of silk, with a beautifully embroidered wreath within |