Commentary — read this one with care. This is a typeset reprint, not a manuscript in Josephine’s hand, so what we’re transcribing is somebody’s later printing of her text (note the modern typesetting and the editorial subtitle).
The header says “Lincoln–Douglas Debates at Lombard College, Galesburg.” The fifth Lincoln–Douglas debate was indeed at Galesburg on October 7, 1858 — but it was held at Knox College, not Lombard. Josephine’s own text says the banner was inscribed “by the Students of Lombard University, October 7, 1858,” so the Lombard connection is to the banner-making students, and the header’s “at Lombard College” looks like a later editorial slip conflating the two Galesburg colleges. The banner motto she records — “To Abraham Lincoln, The Champion of Liberty” — and the procession-and-presentation scene are the heart of it.
Bottom line: high value for the Lincoln/Banner thread.
ESSAY WRITTEN by JOSEPHINE P. CRANSTON UPON THE OCCASION of the LINCOLN–DOUGLAS DEBATES at LOMBARD COLLEGE, GALESBURG, ILLINOIS
Crossing the open green, diagonally, from Lombard to the northwest corner of South and Pine streets, this inspiration came to me, “To Abraham Lincoln, The Champion of Liberty”, by the Students of Lombard University, October 7, 1858. Two others suggested themselves, but neither with the same force. Hence when called together again, chancing to be the first called upon I gave this one and was offering the others when the chairman said “that is good enough” and through due process it was unanimously accepted and adopted, to be executed in gold letters. With speed we wrought in our colors, from white to black, on the eagle and its accessories at intervals of study and recitation, with such result as it, at this lapse of time, represents much enjoying its development under our own hands. When thus far completed by the girls, the boys attended to the mounting and lettering. And when it was in frame with staff, it was brought to the cottage where my cousin, Mary Hoisington and I were rooming, as being a secluded retreat and safe from discovery.
When the auspicious day arrived we marched in procession through the streets until meeting our hero, when the presentation speech was made by one of the girls, Miss Anna Pike, our standard bearer and myself, not three feet from Abraham Lincoln, who looked upon us all with kindly face and expressed his words of acceptance in simplicity and gratitude for this unique manifestation of our loyalty to the cause he represented.
The Lincoln and Douglas banners stood on the platform behind each respective speaker on that memorable debate; which long since passed into history of momentous times and events. Could the admonitions of our Champion who held the key to the culmination of the “Inevitable Conflict”, have been faithfully heeded, the accumulating involvement of the present, so difficult of adjustment, might have been averted.
Mr. Lincoln departed with a hand-clasp for all who participated in our demonstration with almost prophetic discernment of coming events and cherishing the reflected honors of our significant banner in faithful devotion to our venerated Hero.
Ever Your Friend,
Josephine P. Cranston, Sister of Charles Cranston