The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-07-31
Mr.. DOUGLAS TO Mr. LINCOLN.

CHICAGO, July "a, 1853.
Hos A. LIScoLN--Leor Sir,-Your note
OF this date, in which you inqui,e if it would
he agreeable to me to make an arrangement
to divide the time and address the same au-
dienccs during the present canvass, was
handed me by Mr.. Judd. Recent events
have inte,posed difficulties in the way Of
such an arrangement.
went to Springfield last week for the
purpose Of comforting with the Democratic
State Central Committee upon the mode OF
conducting the canvass, and with them and
under their advice, made a list Of appoint
ments covering the entire period until late
n October. The people Of the sevsral local
tiles have been notified of the times and
places of the meetings. Those appoiut-
meuts have all been made for Democratic
meetings and arrangements have been maze
by which the Democratic candidates for
Congress, for the Legislature, ard other
offices will be present and address the peo
pie. 1t is evident, therefore, that these va
ricus candidates, in connection with myself,
viii occupy the whole time of the day and
evening, and leave no opportunity for other
speeches.
Besides there is another consideration
which should be kept in mind. !, has been
suggested recently that an arrangement had
been made to bring out a third candidate
+ for the United States Senate, who, with
yourself, should canvass the State in oppo-
slIion to me, with no other purpose than to
insure my defeat, by dividing the Demo
cratic party for your benefit. II / should
make this arrang- ment with you, It 10 more
than probable. that this other candldate
who has common Object with you, would
desire to become a party to it, and claim
the right TO speak from tue same stand; SO
that he and you in concert might BE- able
% take the opening and closing speech il
every case.
| can not refrain from expressing my sur
prise, If il was your Original intention &c
invite such a arrangement that you should
have waited until after had msce my ap
poin,ments, inasmuch as we were both here
IN Chicago together for several days after
nv arrival, and again at Bloomington, Al
lsnta, Lincoln. and Springfield where it WIS
we'll known | went for the purpose Of con-
sulting with the State Central Committee,
and agroinC upon the plan of campaign.
While, under these circumstances, | do
not feel at liberty to make any arrangement
which would deprive the DEM crotIc candi-
dates for Congress, State officers, and the
Legislature from participating in the DIS
cnSSol At the various meetings designated
/ by tina Democratic Safe Central Committee,
. will, in order to accommodate you rs far as
it is in ny power SO do SO, take the resPon-
sibility Of maxim: an arrangement with you
for discussion between US at one prominent
point in each Congressional District in the
State, except the second and sixth districts,
where we tave both spoken, and in each of
which cases you had the concluding speech
If agreeable 10 you | will indicate the foi-
lowing places as thos most suitable in the
several Congressional Districts a. which We
should speak, to wit: Freeport, Ottawa,
Galesburs, Quincy, Alton, Joncsboro, and
Charlston. | will confer with you at earliest
convenient opportunity in regard to the
mode of conducting the debate. and the
times Of meeting at the several places, su b.
jeet to the condition, tha, where appoint
rpents have already been made by the
. Democratic State Central Committee at any
of those places, | must insist upon yon
meeting me at the times specified.
Very respectfully,
Your most ob'dt servant
5. 4. DOUGLAS.