Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 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- |
lican party at Bloomington Ill.,, Lincoln made an
impressive speech, which fixed his position as
leader of the antislavery 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 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 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 q 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 81; Freeport, August 81; Jonesboro. Septem-
Der IS; Charleston, September IS; Galesburg, Dc
tober Z; Quincy, October 10; Alton October 15
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 Lincons 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
please him TO run for president. If he said Yes,
he would place himself on 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 NO and would
choose to say ''Yes" And if he denied that slaves
were property and could he handled like any
other property he would antagonze the slavery in
terests ALLEVIATE the Southern democracy ant
make it possible for him to achieve the presidency
Douglas said YES" rs Lincoln had foreseen.
In the election for senator the Republican tickle
received l25,430 votes and the Democratic tcke
l2l6O9. But by virtue of an unfair legislative ap
portionment the Democrats had 81 votes on join
ballot in the general assembly and the Republican
49, SO Douglas was reelected senator.
In the presidential election of 1860 the Sout
turned against Douglas and the Democratic part
was split in two. Douglas was nominated by
faction of it. With Douglas of Illinois rs the car
didate of the Northern Democrats, the Republican
cOmpCllpu TO nominate IL canuluate from III
nois The logic of the situation forced the nom
nation of Lincoln.
Douglas defeated for the presidency
Lincoln had foreseen.
Out of Lincoln's election came the Civil War;
Out of The Civil War came Lincolns Emancip
ton Proclamation. Thus Lincoln fulfilled his ow
prophecy:
"a house divided against itself cannot stant
believe this government cannot endure perm
nently half slave and lalf-free / do not eXpe
the Union to be dissolved do not expect IL
house to fall; but | do expect it will cease to
divided"
And all this goes straight back to that questit
asked by abraham Lincoln and answered
Stephen y. Douglas August ~ 1888 ut Pre-
port, Ill.