We were all in anticipation of the contest.  It was to take place in the courthouse.  What was the subject?  Anything.  Everything.  Chiefly Whiggery and Democracy.  I came into town bringing Zoe and leaving her with Sarah.  Reverdy and I went together.  Here I met Russell Lamborn.  He sat on one side of me and Reverdy on the other.

I shall never forget this night.  Wyatt opened the debate, and he closed it.  The question was:  Are the Whig policies best for the country?  Douglas had the negative and, therefore, but one speech.  Was it fair?  Had not the young man given away too much?  No, for Douglas proved a match for two or three such minds as Wyatt’s.  He humiliated to the last degree the older, and at first confident, antagonist.

It was the most extraordinary exhibition of youth and dash and confidence and ready wit, and knowledge and dialectic handling of difficult matter.  It furnished the groundwork of my education in the history of American politics up to that time.  It led into almost every possible matter of constitutional law and party policy.

Wyatt talked for an hour.  He jeered at Douglas.  He referred to his diminutive stature.  He spoke ironically of his work as a cabinet maker, and advised Douglas to stick to it and leave the profession of the law alone.  He characterized him as a strolling fellow who was trying to break into the favor of the community with an impudence as effective as burglar’s tools.  What did Douglas know of law?  Who would trust his interests to a lawyer so inexperienced?  When had Douglas had time to master its simplest principles?  Who could not see through Douglas’ thin scheme to attach his fortunes to the chariot of the great but misguided Jackson?  Why had Douglas leaped to the defense of Jackson in this community, like a fice coming to the aid of a mastiff?  Why, if not to get a bone for his own hungry stomach?  Everything in the way of a taunt, a slur, a degrading image, a mockery of youth’s ambition, an attack upon obscurity trying to rise, were thrown by Wyatt at Douglas.  All the while Douglas sat imperturbed, his head at a slight angle, which gave him the appearance of attentive listening; and with a genial smile on his face that was lighted a little with ironic confidence.  Then Wyatt sat down amid great cheering.

Reverdy thought that Wyatt had overdone himself, had forfeited to a degree the sympathy of the audience.  There was no call for such rough handling of a young man.  The feelings of the crowd reacted.  And as Douglas arose he was given a loud reception.  For there were Democrats enough in the room.  But though Douglas looked like a man while seated, he seemed a boy when he stood up.  His stature told against him.  But as soon as he spoke the first word the silence was profound.  The voice was the voice of a man, and a strong man.  It rolled over our heads with orotund volume.  The clearly syllabized words fell upon delighted ears.  He caught the crowd at once.