Is a Steven Douglas act possible?

In the early years of American electoral processes, the contest between Steven Douglas and Abraham Lincoln generated among the highest of their interest. It was so very hotly fought that even those who claimed to be disinterested in politics were sucked into the maelstrom of such exercise. The discerning in their society, those who cared to hear the most profound of discussions, listened so very intently to their much-heralded debates such that out of the format of the intellectual jousts used by the contenders, the academe developed the type called Lincoln-Douglas.

Heated campaigns waged by loyal followers ensued. The intensity of the titanic clash reverberated throughout the land. Everyone thought that Lincoln and Douglas became mortal enemies. But, when the last vote was counted, the protagonists ended all forms of their skirmishes.

There was this story that warmed my heart. The hotel where Lincoln billeted prior to the inauguration was heavily guarded. There were reports of some persons planning to assassinate Lincoln. Stealthily came Douglas. He passed thru the rear entrance of the hotel. As he knocked on the door of Lincoln’s suite, he was asked to identify himself and queried what his purpose was. Douglas was quoted to be saying “Mr. President, if anyone is gonna get you, let him get me first” or words to that effect.

I remember this episode of American politics on my way out to a nearby province last Tuesday. On a newspaper, two pieces of related news items engaged my attention. One was about the happy report that finally Congressman Celestino Martinez III, Tining to many, took his oath of office as the duly elected representative of the fourth district of Cebu. The other story carried the moves of Congressman Benhur Salimbagon, the other party to the contest, in his understandable quest to retain the position.

I remember, too, that their campaigns for the May 2007 elections were as intensely waged as that of Douglas and Lincoln. Naturally, the contrasting legal steps taken by the Salimbangon and Martinez groups would have been a generator of lively discussion. Up the time the Supreme Court handed its verdict, the Benhur-Tining struggle, not completely unknown to the Cebuano public, looked like calculated moves of war generals. And we could only be awed by their savvy.

But, notwithstanding the fact that I relish watching two protagonists draw from the depth of their arsenals in entertaining combat, I was not prepared to fantasize being caught between two political juggernauts. Really, I was saddened.

Congressman Salimbangon has all the rights to exhaust whatever legal remedies he believes are available. His petitioning for leave of court to file another motion for reconsideration, was, lawyers would insist, a correct move. To the non-lawyers, this is a request for a permission by the court to submit a document.

Accompanying the news report of his legal move were statements, attributed to him, that seemed to take away the luster that attended to his brief tenure as congressman. Was he correctly quoted when he took the issue of Congressman Martinez’ not having taken his oath in the plenary? Or that his motion with the Supreme Court would prevent Tining’s assumption of office? Or that “Tining” could not join the majority because he was not yet a member of the house?

I am sure Congressman Salimbangon has all the reasons to attempt to show that he did not lose in the 2007 polls and consequently, the Supreme Court erred. He must have some facts unknown to many. That was why he sat for almost three years as the district representative. Unfortunately, the last word out of the highest tribunal tells us a different story.

How I wish Congressman Salimbangon would do a Steven Douglas act. It would not be easy to comprehend but there is no doubt that it would make him appear as a true gentleman. A Douglas act would enhance his dignity as a great leader and better still prepare him to launch for the 2010 electoral campaign. I would love to see him go to “Tining” and say, “if anyone is gonna question your victory, let him convince me first that I won”.

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