Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858

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The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas for an Illinois seat in the United States Senate. The debates presaged the issues that Lincoln faced in the 1860 presidential campaign and are remembered partially for the eloquence of both sides. The debates were held in 7 towns in the state of Illinois: Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy, and Alton.

1 Issues
2 Jonesboro
3 Charleston
4 Galesburg
5 Quincy
6 Alton
7 Results
8 External links

[edit] Issues

Among the most important issues were the two contenders' views on slavery, and African-American equality in general. Lincoln was opposed to any expansion of slavery into new United States territories, while Douglas supported the doctrine of popular sovereignty, believing that a territory's residents should vote on whether to allow slavery. Douglas could no longer support this doctrine legally because of the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision. Instead, he stated that the people could still control slavery in the territories by not passing laws to protect slave owners and return runaway slaves. Because Douglas articulated this position during the debate in Freeport, this position became known as the Freeport Doctrine.

These debates characterized the sectionalized political dichotomy at the time between Democrats and "new" Republicans. The Democratic Party at the time assumed a position like Douglas, in support of popular sovereignty, whereas the Republicans subscribed to the school of thought presented by Lincoln that supported a virtual containment of slavery.

[edit] Jonesboro

This debate took place in Jonesboro, Illinois on September 15, 1858

[edit] Charleston

This debate took place in Charleston, Illinois on September 18, 1858

[edit] Galesburg

This debate took place in Galesburg, Illinois on October 7, 1858

[edit] Quincy

This was the sixth debate it took place in Quincy, Illinois on October 13, 1858

Lincoln started out this debate by saying that he had been nominated to be a canidate for the United States Senate, which was in June and he nor any of his adversaries had been taking hold of their platforms. Lincoln goes back saying how Douglas attempted to hold him responsible for resolutions passed before any meeting Lincoln had been to or had any business in. He continues on saying in previous debates how Douglas blamed himed him for incorrect instances. As he continues he adds how they agree with blacks and how they also have the "right to eat bread without leave of anybody else, which his own hands earned" The crowd cheered when he ended with saying that him and Douglas are equals.

Lincoln later talks about the Dred Scott decision and he defends himself as he explains the bickering that was going on between them. Lincoln continued on defending himself and adding some sarcastic implications as he went on and on and on with the subject of forgery. Lincoln ended with a comment about slaves and how confusing the issue is with them being property.

Senator Douglas's reply had the same topics as Lincoln's speech, he was also defending his own self. He talked about the Dred-Scott decision, Lincoln's views on the Union, Kansas Nebraska Act, and etc. As Lincoln did, Senator Douglas adds some additude, especially as he tried to catch Lincoln being two-faced with the slavery issue.

Lincoln ended this debate with a rejoinder, as he took the stand he had been recieved with tremendous cheers. This was the sixth debate and yet they had one more, which was at Alton, Ill., just two days later.

[edit] Alton

This debate took place in Alton, Illinois on October 15, 1858

[edit] Results

Because the Senate campaign took place before the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment, the debates were designed to influence Illinois voters to elect the representatives to the state legislature who would then support their chosen senatorial candidates. After Douglas's ultimate victory, the Illinois legislature, not the people, re-elected Douglas. Although Lincoln lost, the popularity he gained through the debates helped him in his 1860 election to the presidency.

Douglas actually believed in popular sovereignty, but he had promised the Supreme Court that he would allow them to rule on the legality of slavery in the territories and that he would support their decision. After the Dred Scott case, Douglas was put in a very difficult spot. He was asked to make a speech about his opinion of the Dred Scott ruling on June 12, 1857. That is when he came up with the ideas, but they were not publicized until the Freeport Debate and called the Freeport Doctrine.

The Lincoln-Douglas debate format is named after this series of debates.