The Benson signal., 1920-02-07

stirred him deeply and he again making
political addresses ON 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 1nti-savery forces in Illinois. There
civil in Kansas and slavery was the issue
of the day. In June of 1857 at Springfield. H.,
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 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, 1853 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 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 seven congressional
districts-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 15 Charleston, September 18; Galesburg Oc
tober Z; Quincy, October 13; Alton, October 10
Douglas insisted schedule that gave him four
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 ana conditions there
FORE Lincolns question at Freeport put Douglas
on the horns of awkward dilemma. If he an
swered "No" 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
I1;Y,, fOr h0 Y0C
he would place himself record as denying the
doctrine of the Dred Scott decision that slaves
were property.
Lincoln's reading Of the situation was that
Douglas would not dare to say "NO" 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 EYES," as Lincoln had foreseen.
In the election for senator the Republican ticket
received 125,430 votes and the Democratic ticket
1216O9 But by virtue of an unfair legislative ap
portionment the Democrats had "a votes joint
ballot in the general assembly and the Republicans
49, So Douglas was reelected senator
In the presidential election of 1860 the Soutf
turned against Douglas and the Democratic party
was split in two. Douglas nominated by
faction of it. With Douglas of Illinois the can
IL
were compelled to nominate a candidate from Hi
nois. The logic of the situation forced the nomi
nation of Lincoln
Douglas defeated for the presidency a:
Lincoln had foreseen.
Out of Lncolns election came the Civil War;
Out Of the Civil War came Lincoln's Emancipa
ton Proclamation. Thus Lincoln fulfilled his owl
prophecy
ga house divided against itself cannot stand
I believe this government cannot endure perma
nently half-slave and half-free. do not expec
the Union to be dissolved; do not expect thu
house to fall but do expect it will cease to bt
divided"
And all this goes straight back to that question
asked by Abraham Lincoln and answered b,
Stephen A. Douglas August q, 1853, at Free
port, ILL.,