The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1920-02-06

stirred him deeply and he was soon again making
political addresses on the slavery situation. He
end Douglas were quickly engaged In a forensic
duel In 1855 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. 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 were in fighting
array the 1858 election Of successor to SEN
ator Douglas drew near. Douglas was unopposed
in his own party and the Republican state conven-
ton of June 6, 1853 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 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 congressional
dstricts-they had already spoken in the districts
in which Chicago and Springfield were located.
The meeting places and dates were: Ottawa, Au-
gust 81; Freeport, August q; 5onesboro Septem.
Der Is; Charleston, September IS; Galesburg Oc-
tober Z Quincy, October 10; Alton, October 15
Douglas insisted on a schedule that gave him four
openings and cosings and Lincoln only three. Lin
coin agreed he wanted 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 an
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
he would place himself on record as denying the
doctrine of the bred Scott decision that slaves
were property.
Lincoln's reading Of the situation was 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 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 l25 43O votes and the Democratic ticket
121 900. But by virtue of unfair legislative an
portionment the Democrats had "a votes on Joint
ballot in the general assembly and the Republicans
40. So Douglas was reelected senator.
In the presidential election Of 1860 the South
turned against Douglas and the Democratic party
split in two. Douglas nominated by a
faction of it. With Douglas of Illinois as the can
didate Of the Northern Democrats, the Republicans
were compelled to nominate candidate from I'LL
nois. The logic Of the situation forced the nomi-
nation of Lincoln.
Douglas was defeated for the presidency as
Lincoln had fereseen.
Out Of Lincoln's election came the Civil War.
Out of the Civil War came Lncolns Emancipa.
ton Proclamation. Thus Lincoln fulfilled his own
prophecy:
IA house divided against itself cannot strand
believe this government cannot endure perrna.
nently hafslave and half-free. l do not expect
the Union to be dissolved; do not expect tho
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 by
Stephen A. Douglas August q, 1853 1t Free.
port IL