The Dolores star., 1920-02-06

stirred him deeply and he again making
political addresses the slavery situation. He
and Douglas We're quickly engaged in forensic
duel In 1896 at the organization Of the Repub.
licun party ut bloomington. Ill. Lincoln m8de an
impressive speech. which fixed his position
leader of the ntslavery forces in Illinois. There
was civil war in Kansas and slavery was the issue
of the day. In June Of 1857 nt Springfield. H..
Douglas made elaborate address on the Kansas
Nebraska act and the bred Scott decision. Two
weeks later Lincoln made telling reply
Thus the two great protasonists were in fighting
array the 1858 election OF II successor to Sen
ator Douglas drew near Douglas unopposed
in his party and the Republican state
ton of June 6, 1858, nominated Lincoln.
The battle was soon in full swing. Douglas
assumed the offensive and Lincoln dogged his foot
steps. After each had made speeches Lincoln with
his untang political shrewdness challenged
Douglas to formal debate the questions at
issue He wanted 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-hey had already spoken in the districts
in which Chicago and Springfield located.
The meeting places and dates We're: Ottawa, All
gust 81; Freeport, August 81 Jonesboro. Scpteni-
ber IL: Charleston. September IS; Galesburg. Oc
tober I Quincy. October 13; Alton. October 10
Douglas Insisted II schedule that gave him four
openings and closings and Lincoln only three Lin
coin agreed he wanted chanre the Demo
Gratis who would be to stay the end of mt
least four of the debates.
Under these circumstances ana conditions. there
fore, Lincoln's question at Freeport put Douglas
on the horns of un awkward dilemma If he an
swered NO" he would be going back his own
doctrine of popular soveregnty"-whch his
enemies called "pro-Savery" 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 record as denying the
nf thn DrpI Scott a. III,
property.
Lincoln's reading )f the situation was that
Douglas would dare to say NO and would
choose to say Yes" And If he denied tlnt s,ayes
were property and could be handled like nny
other property he would antagonZe 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 tcket
received 12543O votes and the Democratic ticket
12l 500. But by virtue of an unfair legislative np
portionment 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 Soutl,
turned against Douglas and the Democratic party
split in two. Douglas was nominated nv n
faction of 1t. With Douglas of Illinois as the can.
didate of the Northern Democrats the Republicans
were compelled to nominate a candidate from I'LL
nos. The logic of the situation forced the nomi.
nation of Lincoln.
Douglas was defeated for the presidency n,
Lincoln had foreseen
Out of Lincoln's election came the Civil War
Out of the Civil War came Lincoln's Emanci,o
ton Proclamation. Thus Lincoln fulfilled his our
prophecy:
IA house divided against itself cannot stand
believe this government cannot endure permo.
nently hnlf-sluve and half-free / do not exnnc,
the Union to be dissolved; do not expect the
house to fall; but do expect 1t will cease In ho
divided"
And all this goes straight back to that question
asked by Abraham Lincoln and answered b1
Stephen A Douglas August 81, 1853 at Free
port. I'll.