I've had no time to spend online, which means almost no time for posting, but that does not mean I've been missing out on the important issues of the day. In Freeport, yesterday, I visited the site of one of the famous Lincoln Douglas debates -- a public square in which they've erected a bronze statue of the immortal rhetorical combatants.

In the front of the square, a historical marker is affixed to a large rock:

I was told by locals that it's perfectly OK to climb on the stage and pose with the statues -- in fact it's almost expected of visitors. I hate to let people down, so I climbed onto the stage and imagined myself listening.....

While I might appear to be weary of the debate, I actually became lost in time, as I tried to travel back in thought. The words didn't flow as they might have. Too much modern noise clutters my brain. So, far from being tired of the Lincoln Douglas debate, I was frustrated by my inability to hear it.

If only I could have half of Lincoln's patience!

Here's the Chicago Journal's fascinating contemporaneous account of the debate. Lincoln had the advantage of being on friendly turf, his supporters outnumbering Douglas's by a ratio of 4-1. (Racist sentiments abounded anyway, according to the account.)

The Journal's final paragraph:

Mr. Lincoln's half hour expiring, the debate was declared closed, and the people dispersed. At about 5 o'clock, a great crowd gathered in front of the Brewster House, with loud calls for Lovejoy. Hon. Owen Lovejoy responded, and made one of the most powerful speeches that has been made in this campaign. Mr. Denio and others also spoke to a Republican meeting at the Court House in the evening. The Douglasites had vanished--left town--ashamed and afraid to show their heads. Lincoln freely mingled with the masses about the city during the evening, while Douglas was closeted the whole time with a number of aristocratic Democrats, at his hotel. He didn't care enough about "the people" to mingle with them at all. This is just the difference in the dispositions and politics of the two men.