“On the north front of Old Main many times I read on a bronze plate the words spoken by Lincoln and by Douglas some thirty-four years before I stood there reading those words. They stayed with me, and sometimes I would stop to read those words only, what Lincoln said to twenty thousand people on a cold windy October day: “He is blowing out the moral lights around us, when he contends that whoever wants slaves has a right to hold them.”

                                                                                                Carl Sandburg

 

The bronze plaque was dedicated October 7, 1896, the same day as was the Soldiers' Monument in Hope Cemetery.

 

In late August of that year the president of Knox College, John H. Finley, discussed with Clark E. Carr of Galesburg, the idea of dedicating a plaque to commemorate the Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Finley had graduated from the college in 1889 and returned to be president three years later. He was the first person to emphasize the connection between the debate and the college. It was a stroke of genius and added greatly to the reputation of the institution.

 

Within the next three weeks, well-known orators of the day were invited to speak at the dedication. Old Main had received a new coat of paint on the exterior and was refurbished on the inside as well. A stand for the day's program was erected on the east side of the building, just as it had been in 1858. There was room for the speakers, other dignitaries and 250 students of the college who would join in the musical portion of the program.

 

The newspapers published the program of events on October 5^th.  The welcoming speech would be given by Clark E. Carr. The major address of the afternoon was to be made by Chauncey Depew. He was president of the New York Central Railroad and one of the most admired orators in the country. Other speakers were Senator John M. Palmer, formerly Colonel of the 14^th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War, the Honorable Horace Boies, Governor of Iowa. Robert T. Lincoln, son of the martyred president, also spoke. He had been the main speaker at the dedication of the Soldier's Monument that morning.

 

The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company decorated the passenger depot with flags and bunting as most of the principals would be arriving by train. The railroad also offered half-price tickets to those who wanted to come to Galesburg for the the day.

 

It was estimated 20-25,000 people were in Galesburg for the double celebration. The ladies of the Old First Church served meals all day for the visitors. The police reported the crowds were orderly. One lady had her gold watch and chain picked from her pocket while she watched the parade which started the day's festivities. A distraught woman had lost her child for a short time, but the police were able to reunite them.

 

Readers may have noticed that October 7, 1896, was the 38^th anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Sandburg's memory may have been a little faulty when he wrote his memoir Always the Young Strangers. Math wasn't his strong suit.

 

Louise Seacord (center) in attendance at the Lincoln Douglas Debate Plaque Dedication Ceremony,
Knox College, Old Main, October 7, 1896