The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-02-05

stirred him deeply and he was soon again making
political addresses on the slavery situation He
and Douglas were quickly engaged in forensic
duel. In 1856 at the organization of the Repub-
can party at Bloomington, ILL.,. Lincoln made an
impressive speech, which fixed his position as
leader of the ani-slayery 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 was unOpposed
in his own party and the Republican state conVen-
ton of June 6, 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 a 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
dstrcts--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 27; Jonesboro, Septem-
Der Is; Charleston, September 49, Galesburg, Dc
tOber 7 Quincy, October 10; Alton October 10
Douglas insisted on n schedule that gave him four
openings and cosings 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 Iincoln'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 soveregnty"-whCh his
11nJ nd
bid for Southern votes at such time us 1t might
please him TO run for president. If he said Eyes
he would place himself record as denying the
doctrine of the bred 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 antagon2e the slavery in.
terests, ALLEVIATE the Southern democracy and
make it possible for him to achieve the presidency
Douglas said yes" ms Lincoln had foreseen.
In the election for senator the Republican ticket
received 125,430 votes and the Democratic ticket
121 900 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 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
dldate of the Northern Democrats, the Republicans
were compelled to nominate a candidate from Hi.
noIs The logic of the situation forced the noml-
nation of Lincoln.
Douglas was defeated for the presidency as
Lincoln had foreseen.
Out of Llncoln's election came the Civil War.
Out of the Civil War came Lncons Emancpa.
ton Proclamation. Thus Lincoln fulfilled his own
prophecy:
"A house divided against itself cannot stand
( believe this government cannot endure perma.
nently half slave and half-free. / 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 H.