Digital Extra: The Journal's 175th Anniversary

07.21.2004

1860. Lincoln focuses on free men; Douglas on free clams

The columns of The Providence Journal could barely contain the paper's delight over the February 1860 speech in Rhode Island by "the great champion of Republicanism in Illinois," Abraham Lincoln.

"He abounds in good humor and pleasant satire, and often gives a witty thrust that cuts like a Damascus blade," The Journal wrote on Feb. 29, the day after Lincoln addressed a crowd of Republicans in Providence. "But he does not aim chiefly at fun. He strives rather to show by plain, simple, cogent reasoning that his positions are impregnable, and he carries his audience with him, as he deserves to."

The Journal had no direct quotes from Lincoln, but summed up Lincoln's point that "this country cannot permanently endure half slave and half free."

Lincoln would win the Republican nomination for president that year and compete in a four-way general election that included Democrat Stephen Douglas, southern Democrat John Breckinridge and John Bell, who had been nominated by the Constitutional Union Party. The Journal backed Lincoln, but had kind words for Douglas when it was announced that the Democratic candidate would come to Rhode Island in August for a clambake at Rocky Point.

Douglas had helped split the Democratic Party, which would make election easier for Lincoln, The Journal wrote on Aug. 2, 1860, the morning of the clambake. "We feel much indebted to [Douglas] for this; and although, as we have already said, we cannot give him our votes, he shall have as many clams as he wants."

The paper published a long, detailed story the next day on Douglas' campaign stop at Rocky Point, which drew thousands of people. Douglas had arrived at 12:30 p.m., in a carriage drawn by four horses. Like any good politician, he praised the local culture, and claimed that one of his ancestors had been "an associate" of Roger Williams, the founder of Providence.

Clambakes, he said, were "the peculiar institution of Rhode Island as slavery was of the south."

Abraham Lincoln

After speechmaking and handshaking, Douglas said, "I came here today to a clambake, but I haven't seen much of it. I have no doubt your clams are good, but I haven't had a chance to try 'em yet . . . if there is any peculiar virtue in your clams over those of any other State, all I have to say is, Bring them on!"

The Journal praised Douglas' charm and good nature, and concluded that the candidate had won many "golden opinions" from the crowd. "If golden opinions were electoral votes, he would stand a fair chance to carry Rhode Island in the election," the paper wrote. "But they are not."

Stephen Douglas