Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1920-02-06

stirred him deeply and he soon again making
political addresses the slavery situation He
and Douglas quickly engaged in a 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 anti-savery forces in Illinois. There
was civil war in Kansas and slavery was the issue
of the day. In June of 1857 at Springfield, H.,
Douglas made an elaborate address the Kansas
Nebraska act and the bred Scott decision Two
weeks later Lincoln made telling reply
Thus the two great protagonists were 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 conyen-
ton of June g. 1858, nominated Lincoln.
The battle was soon in full swing Douglas
assumed the offensive and Lincoln logged his foot
steps. After each had made speeches Lincoln with
his unfailing political shrewdness, challenged
Douglas to a formal debate on 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-they had already spoken in the districts
in which Chicago and Springfield were located.
The meeting places and dates were: Ottawa Au-
gust 21 Freeport, August 27 JonesborO. Septem-
Der Is; Charleston, September 10; Galesburg, Oc-
tober Z Quincy, October 49, Alton October 10.
Douglas insisted on schedule that gave him four
openings and closings and Lincoln only three. Lin
coin agreed he wanted a chance at the Demo-
Gratis who would be sure 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 an awkward dilemma. If he
swered mo" he would be going back on his own
doctrine of popular sovereignty (which his
enemies called "pro-slavery" and considered his
bid for Southern votes at such time as it might
please him to run for president. II he said YES"
he would place himself record as denying the
doctrine of the bred Scott decision that slaves
were property
Lincolns 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 1t possible for him to achieve the presidency
Douglas said "Yes," as Lincoln had foreseen.
In the election for senator the Republican ticket
received 125,43O votes and the Democratic ticket
121 6O9 But by virtue of unfair legislative ap-
portionment the Democrats had "a votes on joint
ballot in the general assembly and the Republicans
49, So Douglas was reelected senator.
In the presidential election of 1850 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 can
didate of the Northern Democrats, the Republicans
were compelled to nominate candidate from Hi
nois The logic of the situation forced the nomi-
nation of Lincoln
Douglas defeated for the presidency as
Lincoln had foreseen.
Out of Lincolns election came the Civil War;
Out of the Civil War came Lincoln's Emancipa-
ton Proclamation Thus Lincoln fulfilled his own
prophecy:
ga house divided against itself cannot stand,
I believe this government cannot endure perma-
uently half-slave and halffree I do not expect
the Union to be dissolved; 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 by
Stephen A. Douglas August 81, 1858, at Free
port III.