GDG- dull in the extreme

[Dennis Lawrence]

Saturday, August 9, 1856.
Shelbyville, IL.

Lincoln takes part in debate under Democratic auspices. S. W. Moulton opens 
with Democratic address and challenges Lincoln to answer his argument. 
Lincoln speaks for three hours

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Illinois State Register, August 19, 1856.

Lincoln then took the stand and made a three hours speech. It was prosy and 
dull in the extreme---all about ``freedom,'' ``liberty'' and niggers. He 
answered nothing that had been said by Mr. Moulton, and dodged every issue 
in the present canvass, and attempted to make small side issues of no 
importance. He ridiculed the idea of disunion, and used a great many 
sophisms to divert the public mind from the true issue of the day.

Annotation

[1]   . Although other papers mention the meeting and Lincoln's speech, no 
other report has been located which gives any indication of the content. 
The occasion was a Democratic rally addressed by Samuel W. Moulton, 
Shelbyville attorney and leading Democrat.