The Colorado statesman., 1920-02-07

stirred him deeply and he was soon again making
political addresses the slavery situation. He
and Douglas quickly engaged in forensic
duel In 1856 the organization of the Repub
lican party Mt Bloomington, ILL.,. Lincoln made an
impressive speech, which fixed his position ms
leader of the qntislavery forces in Illinois. There
civil war in Kansas and slavery was the issue
of the day. In June of 1857 Mt Springfield. Ill.,
Douglas made an elaborate address on the Kansas
Nebraska act and the Dred Scott decision TWO
weeks later Lincoln made a telling reply.
Thus the two great protngonists in fighting
array as the 1858 election of II successor to sen-
ator Douglas drew near. Douglas was unopposed
in his party and the Republican state con'en-
ton of June 6, 1858, nominated Lincoln.
The battle in full swing. Douglas
assumed the offensive and Lincoln dogged his foot
steps After each had made speeches Lincoln. with
his unfailing political shrewdness, challenged
Douglas to formal debate on the questions at
issue. He wanted n chance to pin the elusive
Douglas down to facts Douglas made the mistake
of accepting the challenge. The terms provided
that the men should meet in seven congressional
districts-they had already spoken in the districts
in which Chicago and Springfield were located
The meeting places and dates We're: Ottawa At
gust 81 Freeport, August 81; Jonesboro, Septem'
her Is: Charleston September 1S; Galesburg, Oc
tober Z Quincy, October 13; Alton October 10
Douglas insisted on schedule that gave him four
openings and closngs and Lincoln only three. Lin
coin agreed; he wanted charre at the Demo
Gratis who would be sure to stay to the end or nj
least four of the debates.
Under these circumstances ana conditions there
fore, Lincolns question at Freeport put Douglas
on the horns of an awkward dilemma. If he an
swered mo he would be going back on his own
doctrine of popular sovereignty which his
enemies called 'pro-slnyery" and considered his
bid for Southern votes at such time as it might
please him TO run for president If he said Yes
he would place himself on record as denying the
doctrine of the Dred Scott decision that slaves
property.
Llncoln's reading If the situation that
Douglas would not dare to say mo" and would
choose to say Yes" And If he denied that slaves
were property and could be handled like any
other property he would antngonize the slavery in
terests ALLEVIATE the Southern democracy and
make it possible for him to achieve the presidency
Douglas said "Yes," as Lincoln had foreseen.
In the election for senator the Republican ticket
received 125, ,430 votes and the Democratic ticket
l21 6O9 But by virtue of an unfair Legislative ap-
portionment the Democrats had "a votes on joint
ballot in the general assembly and the Republicans
49, So Douglas reelected senator.
In the presidential election of 1860 the South
turned against Douglas and the Democratic party
was split in two. Douglas was nominated by
faction of it. With Douglas of Illinois the
didate of the Northern Democrats, the Republican,
were compelled to nominate candidate from Hi
nois The logic of the situation forced the nomi
nation of Lincoln.
Douglas was defeated for the presidency as
Lincoln had foreseen.
Out of Lincoln's election came the Civil War.
Out of the Civil War came Lincoln's Emancipa
tion Proclamation. Thus Lincoln fulfilled his owr
prophecy:
"A house divided against itself stand.
I believe this government cannot endure perma
nently half-slave and half-free. l do not expecI
the Union to he dissolved; l do not expect tn,
house to fall but | do expect 1t will cease to be
divided"
And all this goes straight back to that question
asked by Abraham Lincoln and answered b,
Stephen A. Douglas August 81, 1855 at Free
port, Ill