Stung by the repetition here in the West by Horace Greeley's quip upon
Douglas, whose trimming lost him supporters, "He is like the man's pig
which did not weigh as much as he expected, and he always knew he
wouldn't," a partizan of the senator's wanted to challenge Lincoln. The
latter declared that he would not fight Judge Douglas or his second.
"In the first place, a fight would prove nothing in issue in this
contest. If my fighting Judge Douglas would not prove anything, it
would prove nothing for me to fight his _bottle_-holder."
(It is to be borne in mind that the senator had a high reputation as a
convivial host, and the toady was believed to be his familiar --"the
Bottle Imp.")
* * * * *
"WIN THE FIGHT, OR DIE A-TRYING."
Though Douglas had his misgivings from knowing Lincoln is "the ablest
of the Republican party," he was forced by his standing and the
pressure of his less dubious followers to accept the oratorical
challenge of the other. The trumpeteers at once boasted the Little
Giant could make small feed of the animated fence-rail. Lincoln said on
the subject to Judge Beckwith, of Danville, on the eve:
"You have seen two men about to fight? Well, one of them brags about
what he means to do. The other fellow, he says not a word. He is saving
his wind for the fight, and as sure as it comes off, he will win it--or
die a-trying!"
* * * * *