The Benson signal., 1920-03-27

stirred him deeply and he was soon again making
political addresses on the slavery situation. He
and Douglas quickly engaged in forensic
duel. In 1856 at the organization of the Repub-
lican party at Bloomington, ILL.,, Lincoln made an
impressive speech, which fixed his position as
leader of the antislavery forces in Illinois. There
was civil war in Kansas and slavery the ISSUE
of the day. In June of 1857 at Springfield. ILL.,.
Douglas made an elaborate address on the Kansas
Nebraska act and the bred Scott decision. Two
weeks later Lincoln made telling reply
Thus the two great protagonists in fighting
array as the 1858 election of a successor to Sen
ator Douglas drew near. Douglas unOppOsed
in his own party and the Republican state conven-
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 a chance to pin the elusive
Douglas down to facts Douglas made the mistake
of accepting the challenge. The terms provided
that the should meet in seven congressional
dstricts-they had already spoken in the districts
in which Chicago and Springfield were located.
The meeting places and dates were: Ottawa All
gust 21; Freeport, August 27; Jonesboro. Septenl-
Der Is; Charleston, September 18; Galesburg, Oc
tober 7 Quincy, October 13; Alton, October Is
Douglas insisted a schedule that gave him four
openings and cosings and Lincolp only three. Lin
coin agreed he wanted a chance at the Demo
Gratis who would be to stay to the end of at
least four of the debates
Under these circumstances and conditions there
fore, Lincoln's question at Freeport put Douglas
on the horns of awkward dilemma. If he an
swered "No" he would be going back on his
doctrine of popular sovereignty"-which his
enemies called 'prO-slavery' and considered his
bid for Southern votes at such time it might
forY donf bo -
he would place himself record denying the
doctrine of the Dred Scott decision that slaves
were property.
Lincons reading Of the situation was that
Douglas would not dare to say mo" and would
choose to say Eyes" And if he denied that slaves
were property and could be handled like any
other property he would antagOnize 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
121 ,6O9 But by virtue of unfair legislative ap-
DOrtiOnment the Democrats had "a votes on Joint
ballot in the general assembly and the Republicans
46. So Douglas was 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 as the can
were compelled to nominate candidate from Hi
nois. The logic Of the situation forced the nom.
nation of Lincoln.
Douglas defeated for the presidency as
Lincoln had fOreseen.
Out of Lincon's election came the Civil War
Out of the Civil War came Lincoln's Emancipa
ton Proclamation. Thus Lincoln fulfilled his oWr
prophecy:
:" "A house divided against itself cannot stand
I believe this government cannot endure perma
nently halfslave and half-free. 1 do not expect
the Union to be dissolved; 1 do not expect the
house to fall but do expect it will cease to be
divided
And all this goes straight back to that question
asked by Abraham Lincoln and answered bx
Stephen A Douglas August 27, 1853, at Free
port. Ill.