IF THE EFFIE AFTON EFFIE AFTON case was about the future, in the fall of 1857 Lincoln was drawn back to his past in a case growing out of the behavior of some rowdies at a religious revival. In August, a two-week evangelistic camp meeting was held at Virgin"s Grove near the site of New Salem, which had been abandoned by 1840. On August 29, at a makeshift bar on the outskirts of the meetings, William "Duff" Armstrong, twenty-four-year-old son of Jack Armstrong, Lincoln"s wrestling friend from New Salem, and another young man named James Norris got into a fracas with James Metzker. Norris struck Metzker with a three-foot block of wood while Armstrong hit him with a slungshot, a lead weight wrapped in a leather pouch and fastened to thongs. Metzker died while attempting to escape on his horse. Duff Armstrong and James Norris were charged with murder. Duff"s mother, Hannah, appealed to Lincoln, asking if he would help. He said he would. case was about the future, in the fall of 1857 Lincoln was drawn back to his past in a case growing out of the behavior of some rowdies at a religious revival. In August, a two-week evangelistic camp meeting was held at Virgin"s Grove near the site of New Salem, which had been abandoned by 1840. On August 29, at a makeshift bar on the outskirts of the meetings, William "Duff" Armstrong, twenty-four-year-old son of Jack Armstrong, Lincoln"s wrestling friend from New Salem, and another young man named James Norris got into a fracas with James Metzker. Norris struck Metzker with a three-foot block of wood while Armstrong hit him with a slungshot, a lead weight wrapped in a leather pouch and fastened to thongs. Metzker died while attempting to escape on his horse. Duff Armstrong and James Norris were charged with murder. Duff"s mother, Hannah, appealed to Lincoln, asking if he would help. He said he would.
Duff Armstrong"s case came to trial on May 7, 1858. Norris had already been convicted in an earlier, separate trial. In the courtroom, on the second floor of the Ca.s.s County courthouse in Beardstown, Lincoln took great care in selecting the jury, preferring young men in their twenties who might sympathize with another, admittedly wild young man. Charles Allen, the key witness, swore that from a distance of thirty yards, at eleven o"clock in the evening, he saw clearly how the fight developed. When asked how he could be so certain, he answered that the moon was shining directly above. At that moment the outlook seemed dim for the defendant.
Lincoln defended Duff Armstrong, son of his old wrestling partner, Jack Armstrong in a murder trial in 1858.
Lincoln"s cross-examination of Allen began in an understated way. He enticed from the witness, through different questions, the repeated a.s.sertion that he had seen clearly what had happened. Lincoln, who had been speaking in a conversational tone, suddenly changed his demeanor and approach. In a dramatic moment, he called for an almanac, which a court officer brought him. Lincoln read from Jayne"s Almanac from Jayne"s Almanac the decisive sentence that the moon had already set before the fight ensued on the evening of August 29, 1857. The witness could not have seen what he a.s.serted he saw. As several members of the jury stated later, "The almanac floored the witness." the decisive sentence that the moon had already set before the fight ensued on the evening of August 29, 1857. The witness could not have seen what he a.s.serted he saw. As several members of the jury stated later, "The almanac floored the witness."
There were tears in Lincoln"s eyes when in his closing argument he told the jury "of his once being a poor, friendless boy; that Armstrong"s father took him into his house, fed and clothed him & gave him a home." William Walker, Lincoln"s cocounsel in the trial, remembered that Lincoln spoke "of his kind feelings toward the mother of the prisoner, a widow." J. Henry Shaw, who prosecuted the case for the state, believed, "It was generally admitted that Lincoln"s speech and personal appeal to the jury saved Armstrong."
When the trial was over Lincoln went down to Beardstown to visit Duff"s mother. She asked him what she owed him for his legal services. He replied, "Why-Hannah, I shant charge you a cent-never."
WHILE LINCOLN, IN 1857, was enjoying the most productive year in his legal career, he kept one eye on the latest news about Stephen Doug las. The calm that seemed to have settled in over Kansas was deceptive. In Lecompton, the territorial capital, located on the south bank of the Kansas River between Topeka and Lawrence, a const.i.tutional convention convened on September 7 on the second floor of a new black-walnut clapboard building. The delegates had been selected in an election on June 15, but nearly all the antislavery men, who distrusted the territorial legislature, had boycotted it. The results of the sham election were trickling in just as Lincoln was answering Douglas at Spring-field on June 26. Lincoln, in his speech, called the voting in Kansas "altogether the most exquisite farce ever enacted."
The meeting at Lecompton proposed two options. Voters could choose to endorse a const.i.tution with "no slavery" but that legalized slavery for those already there-about two hundred slaves-and their progeny. Or voters could choose a const.i.tution "with slavery" that legalized new slaves brought into the territory as well as those who were already there. The convention proposed that there be an election, not on the whole const.i.tution, but only on the plank on slavery. When the election was held in December the vote for slavery-again with most antislavery men boycotting-was 6,143 to 569.
President Buchanan, who had wished the vote had been on the entire const.i.tution, nevertheless offered his endors.e.m.e.nt and encouraged Congress to move forward quickly to admit Kansas as a new slave state. When the new Congress a.s.sembled in December, Buchanan, who was lobbied by Southern leaders, offered his first annual message to an expectant Congress. In it he praised "the great principle of popular sovereignty" as he embraced the provisions in the Lecompton Const.i.tution.
The next day, December 9, 1857, Stephen Douglas answered the president. He condemned the Lecompton arrangement as a sham. Furthermore, he announced he would fight Buchanan and his allies over it. Why? Lecompton, an effort by a small minority, went completely against the principles of popular sovereignty. He accused Buchanan of misinterpreting the meaning of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. To be sure, Douglas was unhappy with the Buchanan administration; he had learned early on that he would not be the trusted adviser and dealmaker he expected to be. But the real issue for Douglas was popular sovereignty. "I have spent too much strength and breadth and health, too, to establish this great principle in the popular heart, now to see it frittered away."
When the Senate reconvened in January 1858, an unlikely spectacle began taking place. Douglas, who in 1854 had served as floor manager of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, now allied himself with Republican senators Salmon Chase, Henry Wilson, and Benjamin Wade. Wilson, an antislavery senator from Ma.s.sachusetts, opined that if Douglas would cross the aisle and become a Republican, it would "bring more weight to our cause than any ten men in the country."
Douglas"s sudden change prompted the question in all quarters: What was he up to? Horace Greeley, ever the kingmaker, editorialized in the Tribune, Tribune, "His course has not been merely right, it has been conspicuously, courageously, eminently so." Greeley counseled Republicans that they throw in with Douglas or face certain defeat in the upcoming senatorial election. Following Greeley"s lead, a Republicans for Douglas movement began to gather momentum in the East. "His course has not been merely right, it has been conspicuously, courageously, eminently so." Greeley counseled Republicans that they throw in with Douglas or face certain defeat in the upcoming senatorial election. Following Greeley"s lead, a Republicans for Douglas movement began to gather momentum in the East.
Lincoln, with his ear ever attuned to the latest political news, was deeply alarmed. At the end of 1857, he wrote three letters to Senator Lyman Trumbull. He asked, what is "your general view of the then present aspect of affairs?" On December 28, Lincoln wrote, "What does the New-York Tribune Tribune mean by its constant eulogising, and admiring, and magnifying Douglas?" Did Greeley speak for "the sentiments of the republicans in Washington"? Had leaders in Washington "concluded that the republican cause, generally, can be best promoted by sacrificing us here in Illinois"? Lincoln acknowledged to Trumbull that he had heard of "no republican here going over to Douglas," but he was concerned that "if the Tribune continues to din his praises into the ears of its five or ten thousand republican readers in Illinois, it is more than can be hoped that all will stand firm." Lincoln"s plans for a Senate race against Douglas in 1858 were suddenly being challenged. The usually patient Lincoln was plainly fretful. mean by its constant eulogising, and admiring, and magnifying Douglas?" Did Greeley speak for "the sentiments of the republicans in Washington"? Had leaders in Washington "concluded that the republican cause, generally, can be best promoted by sacrificing us here in Illinois"? Lincoln acknowledged to Trumbull that he had heard of "no republican here going over to Douglas," but he was concerned that "if the Tribune continues to din his praises into the ears of its five or ten thousand republican readers in Illinois, it is more than can be hoped that all will stand firm." Lincoln"s plans for a Senate race against Douglas in 1858 were suddenly being challenged. The usually patient Lincoln was plainly fretful.
Trumbull replied on January 3, 1858, attempting to calm Lincoln"s anxieties. He began by admitting to Lincoln that "the unexpected course of Douglas has taken us all somewhat by surprise." He told Lincoln of the responses of some Republicans. "Some of our friends here act like fools in running & flattering Douglas." Trumbull wrote that Douglas "encourages it & invites such men as Wilson, Seward," and others "to confer with him & they seem wonderfully pleased to go." Trumbull did not want Lincoln to take these reports at face value, but to understand that William Seward"s motivation in offering public praise for Douglas was to further fuel the division growing in the Democratic Party. Trumbull a.s.sured Lincoln, "I have no sort of idea of making Douglas our leader either here or in Ills. He has done nothing as yet to commend him to any honest Republican."
This letter revealed Trumbull"s admiration for Lincoln, the man he had defeated for the Senate three years earlier in January 1855. Trumbull concluded by a.s.suring Lincoln that he would work for the election to the Senate "of that Friend Friend who was instrumental in promoting my own." After he signed his letter, Trumbull added a final sentence. His wife, Julia Jayne Trumbull, who was once one of Mary Lincoln"s dearest friends before the rupture caused by the 1855 Senate race, was sitting by her husband as he completed the letter. She admired Lincoln and told her husband that Lincoln was "too modest to understand whom I mean by "that friend." " Heeding his wife"s advice, Trumbull added that Lincoln was the friend "who magnanimously requested his friends just at the right moment to cast their votes for me." who was instrumental in promoting my own." After he signed his letter, Trumbull added a final sentence. His wife, Julia Jayne Trumbull, who was once one of Mary Lincoln"s dearest friends before the rupture caused by the 1855 Senate race, was sitting by her husband as he completed the letter. She admired Lincoln and told her husband that Lincoln was "too modest to understand whom I mean by "that friend." " Heeding his wife"s advice, Trumbull added that Lincoln was the friend "who magnanimously requested his friends just at the right moment to cast their votes for me."
AS THE WINTER OF 1858 slowly turned into spring, the air began to go out of Douglas"s balloon. Republicans in Illinois increasingly resented the intrusion of Greeley and other eastern Republicans in their affairs. Joseph Medill"s slowly turned into spring, the air began to go out of Douglas"s balloon. Republicans in Illinois increasingly resented the intrusion of Greeley and other eastern Republicans in their affairs. Joseph Medill"s Chicago Press &Tribune Chicago Press &Tribune fumed, "There seems to be a considerable notion pervading the brains of political wet-nurses at the East, that the barbarians of Illinois cannot take care of themselves." fumed, "There seems to be a considerable notion pervading the brains of political wet-nurses at the East, that the barbarians of Illinois cannot take care of themselves."
To the observant eye, Lincoln"s bid for the Senate, despite the winter panic over Douglas, was coming into focus in the spring for important reasons. First, while being an old-line Whig had hurt Lincoln in his Senate bid in 1855, it was helping him in 1858. Both Governor Bissell and Senator Trumbull were former old-line Democrats. There was a general consensus that it was time to honor an old-line Whig with the other Illinois Senate seat. Second, Lincoln rose to the top of the available former Whigs because of the "sacrifice" of his candidacy three years earlier that had led to the election of Trumbull. Trumbull had personally recognized the debt, but it was also being spoken of by other politicians as well as the editors of Republican newspapers.
In the midst of pressure from eastern Republicans to embrace Doug las, Illinois Republicans came up with a novel idea. Up until this time, the legislature would select the nominee from a variety of candidates. Why not short-circuit that process by holding a convention and agreeing upon only one candidate, whom everyone could then rally around? As German-American leader Gustave Koerner put it, "We must make them understand that Lincoln Lincoln is our man." Lincoln endorsed the idea of a convention in an April 24, 1858, letter to Illinois secretary of state Ozias Hatch. "Let us have a state convention in which we can have a full consultation: and till which, let us stand firm, making no committals as to strange and new combinations." Lincoln, although confident, remembered that he had lost out in 1855 to a new combination, even as some Republicans were still talking about combining with Douglas. is our man." Lincoln endorsed the idea of a convention in an April 24, 1858, letter to Illinois secretary of state Ozias Hatch. "Let us have a state convention in which we can have a full consultation: and till which, let us stand firm, making no committals as to strange and new combinations." Lincoln, although confident, remembered that he had lost out in 1855 to a new combination, even as some Republicans were still talking about combining with Douglas.
In April, the pace of events quickened. Republican leaders, including William Herndon, who represented Lincoln, met in Chicago and endorsed the idea of holding a convention in Springfield on June 16, 1858.
AS LINCOLN WAS GEARING UP to run for the Senate, he was also exploring an additional career as a public lecturer. He was inspired by the traveling lecturers who began coming to Springfield in the 1850s. Lincoln heard two of Ralph Waldo Emerson"s three lectures at the statehouse in January 1853. Bayard Taylor, a renowned world traveler, had lectured on "the Arabs" in 1854, and, by popular demand, returned in 1855 to lecture on j.a.pan, India, and "the Philosophy of Travel." Other lecturers included Horace Greeley, Henry Ward Beecher, and New England Unitarian minister Theodore Parker. The biggest crowds turned out to hear (and see) Lola Montez, an actress and dancer, lecture on "Fashion." to run for the Senate, he was also exploring an additional career as a public lecturer. He was inspired by the traveling lecturers who began coming to Springfield in the 1850s. Lincoln heard two of Ralph Waldo Emerson"s three lectures at the statehouse in January 1853. Bayard Taylor, a renowned world traveler, had lectured on "the Arabs" in 1854, and, by popular demand, returned in 1855 to lecture on j.a.pan, India, and "the Philosophy of Travel." Other lecturers included Horace Greeley, Henry Ward Beecher, and New England Unitarian minister Theodore Parker. The biggest crowds turned out to hear (and see) Lola Montez, an actress and dancer, lecture on "Fashion."
Lincoln decided to try his hand as a homegrown lecturer. On April 6, 1858, Lincoln delivered a lecture on "Discovery and Inventions" in Bloomington. Lincoln"s thesis was that of all the creatures on Earth, man "is the only one who improves improves his workmanship." He then traced innumerable inventions and discoveries that were of "peculiar value" because of their "efficiency in facilitating other inventions and discoveries." As an example, he trumpeted the printing press, which "gave ten thousand copies of any written matter, quite as cheaply as ten were given before. Consequently a thousand minds were brought into the field where there was but one before." his workmanship." He then traced innumerable inventions and discoveries that were of "peculiar value" because of their "efficiency in facilitating other inventions and discoveries." As an example, he trumpeted the printing press, which "gave ten thousand copies of any written matter, quite as cheaply as ten were given before. Consequently a thousand minds were brought into the field where there was but one before."
Lincoln delivered this same lecture again nearly one year later in February 1859, in Jacksonville, Decatur, and Springfield. It demonstrated Lincoln"s commitment to progress, especially his appreciation of the changing arts of communication, although much of his material was cobbled together from Old Testament references and Encyclopedia Americana Encyclopedia Americana articles. Despite Lincoln"s personal and political popularity, his general public lectures never caught fire with the small audiences in attendance. articles. Despite Lincoln"s personal and political popularity, his general public lectures never caught fire with the small audiences in attendance.
IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP to the Republicans" June nominating convention, Lincoln turned down all speaking invitations and started the most extensive preparation for any speech he had ever made. Yes, he would be building on all of his speeches since 1854, but this time he decided to write out the speech in its entirety. He wrestled with ideas on sc.r.a.ps of paper and the backs of envelopes. The Lincoln who returned from Congress in 1849 not knowing if he could ever be elected again, who had been defeated for the Senate in 1855 when he and his friends thought surely he would win, well understood that this was his last opportunity to win election to the Senate, his highest aspiration to public office. Behind closed doors, Lincoln wrote, revised, and edited what he intended to say at the historic state convention. to the Republicans" June nominating convention, Lincoln turned down all speaking invitations and started the most extensive preparation for any speech he had ever made. Yes, he would be building on all of his speeches since 1854, but this time he decided to write out the speech in its entirety. He wrestled with ideas on sc.r.a.ps of paper and the backs of envelopes. The Lincoln who returned from Congress in 1849 not knowing if he could ever be elected again, who had been defeated for the Senate in 1855 when he and his friends thought surely he would win, well understood that this was his last opportunity to win election to the Senate, his highest aspiration to public office. Behind closed doors, Lincoln wrote, revised, and edited what he intended to say at the historic state convention.
The evening before the convention, Lincoln shared his speech with a dozen friends. After asking them to sit down at a round table, Lincoln read his entire address slowly. He asked each man for his response "to its wisdom or polity." One by one each responded. One, unnamed, burst out, a "d.a.m.ned fool utterance." John Armstrong, a Sangamon County builder, declared that the speech "was too far in advance of the times." Still another voiced his concern that the speech would "drive away a good many voters fresh from the Democratic ranks." Only William Herndon, who had heard an earlier version of the speech, offered his affirmation. Armstrong remembered that Herndon, while admitting that perhaps the speech was ahead of its time, urged Lincoln to "lift the people to the level of this Speech." Lincoln sat silently. He then rose, walked back and forth, and responded, "The time has come when these sentiments should be uttered." His friends feared the speech would be heard as too radical, but by now Lincoln had learned to trust his own judgment.
JUNE 16, 1858, dawned a "lovely" day in Springfield. Euphoric Republicans, sensing victory in the air, strolled around the state capital in grand spirits. For only the second time in the history of the nation a state convention was gathering to nominate a candidate for the U.S. Senate. Because there were no hard-and-fast rules on credentials, about one thousand delegates poured into Springfield.
The nomination of Lincoln began with the Chicago delegation bringing their banner into the hall as the crowd cheered: "Cook County Is for Abraham Lincoln." A delegate from Peoria moved that the convention adopt the motto "Illinois Is for Abraham Lincoln."
"Hurrahs" shook the statehouse. By the close of the afternoon, the editor of the Chicago Journal Chicago Journal submitted an endors.e.m.e.nt: "Resolved that Abraham Lincoln is the first and only choice of the Republicans of Illinois for the United States Senate, as the successor of Stephen A. Douglas." The cheers and hurrahs went on and on. Finally, the convention, still in a celebratory mood, adjourned for dinner. submitted an endors.e.m.e.nt: "Resolved that Abraham Lincoln is the first and only choice of the Republicans of Illinois for the United States Senate, as the successor of Stephen A. Douglas." The cheers and hurrahs went on and on. Finally, the convention, still in a celebratory mood, adjourned for dinner.
The convention reconvened at eight o"clock. On a terribly warm and humid evening, with not nearly enough chairs to accommodate everyone, the Hall of Representatives became "crowded almost to suffocation." The angular Lincoln, at age forty-nine, rose and walked the few steps to the table at the front of the hall. He turned to face an audience that suddenly became silent. Although thoroughly prepared, Lincoln had decided to speak without his ma.n.u.script. He was, as always in delivering a speech, nervous. He began: If we could first know where where we are, and we are, and whither whither we are tending, we could then better judge we are tending, we could then better judge what what to do, and to do, and how how to do it. to do it.We are now far into the fifth fifth year, since a policy was initiated, with the year, since a policy was initiated, with the avowed avowed object, and object, and confident confident promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation. promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation.Under the operation of that policy, agitation has not only, not ceased, ceased, but has but has constantly augmented. constantly augmented.In my my opinion, it opinion, it will will not cease, until a not cease, until a crisis crisis shall have been reached, and pa.s.sed. shall have been reached, and pa.s.sed."A house divided against itself cannot stand."I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave slave and half and half free. free.I do not expect the Union to be dissolved- dissolved-I do not expect the house to fall- to fall-but I do do expect it will cease to be divided. expect it will cease to be divided.It will become all one thing, or all the other.Either the opponents opponents of slavery, will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in course of ultimate extinction; or its of slavery, will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates advocates will push it forward, till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, will push it forward, till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old old as well as as well as new-North new-North as well as as well as South. South.Have we no tendency to the latter condition?
Lincoln began the most important address of his political career with short brushstrokes, painting the state of affairs of the nation in the middle of 1858. It was "the fifth "the fifth year" since a "policy was initiated"-the policy was unnamed but everyone present knew it was the Kansas-Nebraska Act. A year" since a "policy was initiated"-the policy was unnamed but everyone present knew it was the Kansas-Nebraska Act. A "confident "confident promise" had been put forth that there would be an "end to slavery agitation." The promise had been offered by President Buchanan in his inaugural address fifteen months earlier. The repet.i.tion of the word "agitation" conjured up in the imaginations of Lincoln"s listeners the cacophony of events symbolized in "bleeding Kansas." promise" had been put forth that there would be an "end to slavery agitation." The promise had been offered by President Buchanan in his inaugural address fifteen months earlier. The repet.i.tion of the word "agitation" conjured up in the imaginations of Lincoln"s listeners the cacophony of events symbolized in "bleeding Kansas."
As Lincoln painted the problem, the audience grew eager to hear his answer. He offered his solution by switching from an opening "we" to an "In my my opinion." Lincoln told them: "A house divided against itself cannot stand." He had quickly reached his thesis sentence. Lincoln declared, by the use of a biblical metaphor drawn from Jesus admonishing the Pharisees (Matthew 12:25), that there was no longer any middle position between slavery and freedom. opinion." Lincoln told them: "A house divided against itself cannot stand." He had quickly reached his thesis sentence. Lincoln declared, by the use of a biblical metaphor drawn from Jesus admonishing the Pharisees (Matthew 12:25), that there was no longer any middle position between slavery and freedom.
As with all of Lincoln"s best ideas, he had worked with this "house divided" metaphor on several occasions stretching back fifteen years. He employed it in a Whig campaign circular in 1843. He put it as a question in his philosophical letter to George Robertson of Transylvania University in 1855. Judge T. Lyle d.i.c.key, who had shared the platform with Lincoln at a speech in Bloomington on September 12, 1856, remembered that he used it on that evening. Whatever its past use, this scriptural image would become the signature theme of this address and the senatorial campaign to follow.
The Bible, for Lincoln, always possessed a present dimension. The invocation of this biblical metaphor pointed beyond itself and allowed him to make several points. First, he declared that the status quo on slavery was no longer acceptable. He qualified this a.s.sertion with the historical modifier "permanently." Lincoln was offering a forecast, but not a timetable, for the future of slavery in America. Second, the logical Lincoln told his audience: 1. He did "not expect the Union to be dissolved. " dissolved. "
2. He did "not expect the house to fall." fall."
3. But he did "expect it will cease to be divided."
In his developing speaking style, Lincoln relished repet.i.tion. He twice told the audience what he did not expect. But it was actually the same thought, stated first literally (Union) and then figuratively (house). Telling the audience what he did not did not expect increased their antic.i.p.ation for what he expect increased their antic.i.p.ation for what he did did expect. He predicted, boldly, that the nation would cease to be divided. expect. He predicted, boldly, that the nation would cease to be divided.
How would this come to be? Lincoln offered more than one possibility. At first, it might sound as if Lincoln was repeating what he had been saying since 1854, namely that his only goal was to "arrest" the spread of slavery into the territories. Furthermore, Lincoln stated that extinction would follow from restriction. He believed he was saying nothing more than Jefferson had said, but this provocative part of his introduction quickly became open to misunderstanding.
Although Herndon suggested Lincoln wrote the "House Divided" speech in the weeks immediately prior to its delivery, Lincoln had actually laid the foundation of the address seven months before in one of his most extensive private notes. The impetus for the note, about three-quarters as long as the speech itself, may have been the suggestion that Republicans support Douglas for reelection to the Senate in 1858. About three-quarters of the way through his private reflection, Lincoln noted that this "angry agitation" over the extension of slavery was not confined to the political arena. He chose one example to ill.u.s.trate the growing problem. "Presbyterian a.s.semblies, Methodist conferences, Unitarian gatherings, and single churches to an indefinite extent, are wrangling, and cracking, and going to pieces on the same question."
He then crafted the idea in a way that would link this private rumination to his future public speech.
I believe the government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I expressed this belief a year ago; and subsequent developments have but confirmed me. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved. I do not expect the house to fall; but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and put it in course of ultimate extinction; or advocates will push it forward till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new. Do you doubt it? Study the Dred Scott decision, and then see how little even now remains to be done.
In Lincoln"s speech seven months later, some whole sentences are drawn word for word from his extended private note. The major difference between the note and the speech is its rhetorical structure. Whereas Lincoln employed the "house divided" metaphor toward the end of the note, as the culmination of the logic of his thinking, in the speech he moved it up to the beginning, as the thesis that undergirded the specifics that would follow from it.
After Lincoln"s tightly written thesis, he muses about a conspiracy that would make slavery a national inst.i.tution. He goes into great detail to describe the "working "working points of that machinery" by employing a house-building a.n.a.logy that would have been familiar to nearly everyone in his audience: "When we see a lot of framed timbers, different portions of which we know have been gotten out at different times and places and by different workmen-Stephen, Franklin, Roger, and James ..." Suddenly, dramatically, Lincoln moves from metaphor to naming names. Everyone in the audience knew he was speaking of Senator Stephen Douglas, ex-president Franklin Pierce, Chief Justice Roger Taney, and President James Buchanan. As the audience took in these names, Lincoln completed the scaffolding by hammering in the last nail. "We find it impossible to not points of that machinery" by employing a house-building a.n.a.logy that would have been familiar to nearly everyone in his audience: "When we see a lot of framed timbers, different portions of which we know have been gotten out at different times and places and by different workmen-Stephen, Franklin, Roger, and James ..." Suddenly, dramatically, Lincoln moves from metaphor to naming names. Everyone in the audience knew he was speaking of Senator Stephen Douglas, ex-president Franklin Pierce, Chief Justice Roger Taney, and President James Buchanan. As the audience took in these names, Lincoln completed the scaffolding by hammering in the last nail. "We find it impossible to not believe believe that Stephen and Franklin and Roger and James all understood one another from the beginning, and all worked upon a common that Stephen and Franklin and Roger and James all understood one another from the beginning, and all worked upon a common plan plan or or draft draft before the first lick was struck." before the first lick was struck."
He concluded this section by suggesting that this unholy conspiracy was working toward a second Dred Scott decision "declaring that the Const.i.tution of the United States does not permit a state state to exclude slavery from its limits." He told his audience that such a result grew from chief carpenter Douglas"s "doctrine of "care not whether slavery be voted down or voted up." " Lincoln is arguing that no one should be misled that this controversy is only about the territories. One day people in the North will wake up to discover that the proponents of the Dred Scott decision wish to open the doors to slavery in the supposed free states. to exclude slavery from its limits." He told his audience that such a result grew from chief carpenter Douglas"s "doctrine of "care not whether slavery be voted down or voted up." " Lincoln is arguing that no one should be misled that this controversy is only about the territories. One day people in the North will wake up to discover that the proponents of the Dred Scott decision wish to open the doors to slavery in the supposed free states.
In the third section, still concerned that Douglas might draw off some Republicans in the upcoming election, Lincoln sought to portray Douglas, despite his opposition to the Lecompton Const.i.tution, as no friend of the Republican cause. He told his audience he had heard people whisper "softly, "softly, that Douglas is the that Douglas is the aptest aptest instrument" to oppose that "dynasty" that is the Buchanan administration because "he has regularly voted with us" against the charade of the Lecompton Const.i.tution. These nameless friends "remind us that instrument" to oppose that "dynasty" that is the Buchanan administration because "he has regularly voted with us" against the charade of the Lecompton Const.i.tution. These nameless friends "remind us that he he is a very is a very great man, great man, and that the largest of and that the largest of us us are very small ones." At this point, in high drama, with his right arm outstretched, Lincoln thundered, "But "a are very small ones." At this point, in high drama, with his right arm outstretched, Lincoln thundered, "But "a living dog living dog is better than a is better than a dead lion." dead lion." " Here Lincoln was turning again to the Bible, this time quoting from Ecclesiastes 9:4, "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion." This ancient Jewish declaration received its meaning from the contrast between the lowest and highest of animals. Lincoln knew he could never claim Doug las"s exalted status, but pointed beyond himself to the exalted cause he served. " Here Lincoln was turning again to the Bible, this time quoting from Ecclesiastes 9:4, "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion." This ancient Jewish declaration received its meaning from the contrast between the lowest and highest of animals. Lincoln knew he could never claim Doug las"s exalted status, but pointed beyond himself to the exalted cause he served.
He declared that Douglas, despite his popularity, was "a caged caged and and toothless" toothless" leader, because he was on the wrong side of the moral issue of slavery. "How can he oppose the advances of slavery? He don"t leader, because he was on the wrong side of the moral issue of slavery. "How can he oppose the advances of slavery? He don"t care care anything about it." Popular sovereignty was an empty promise if in the end it had nothing to say about one man owning another man. Resorting to irony, Lincoln identified himself in the phrase "the largest of anything about it." Popular sovereignty was an empty promise if in the end it had nothing to say about one man owning another man. Resorting to irony, Lincoln identified himself in the phrase "the largest of us us are very small ones"-Lincoln may be tall in height but knew he was small in public stature compared to Douglas-but the cause he represented would bring him the victory. are very small ones"-Lincoln may be tall in height but knew he was small in public stature compared to Douglas-but the cause he represented would bring him the victory.
Lincoln"s 3,173-word speech, which took less than thirty minutes to deliver, was actually brief in comparison to the average political addresses of the time. Twenty-four of the twenty-seven words in the opening sentence were one syllable long. He underlined twenty words in the introduction, which he made sure were italicized in the printed text.
With his speech completed, Lincoln gave his text to the young reporter Horace White of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, requesting that he take it to the office of the requesting that he take it to the office of the Illinois State Journal. Illinois State Journal. Before White could finish proofreading the speech, Lincoln "came into the composing room ... and looked over the revised proof." He told White he wanted the speech printed exactly as he had delivered it. He was beginning his run for the Senate and intended these ideas to serve as the platform that would lead him to victory. Before White could finish proofreading the speech, Lincoln "came into the composing room ... and looked over the revised proof." He told White he wanted the speech printed exactly as he had delivered it. He was beginning his run for the Senate and intended these ideas to serve as the platform that would lead him to victory.
This photograph at Macomb, Illinois, was taken five days after Lincoln"s first debate with Stephen Douglas in Ottawa. Photographer T. Painter Pearson asked Lincoln on the morning of August 26, 1858, if he wanted a mirror to "fix up." He said no. "It would not be much of a likeness if I fixed up any."
CHAPTER 13.
The Eternal Struggle Between These Two Principles 1858.
I SHALL HAVE MY HANDS FULL. HE IS THE STRONG MAN OF THE PARTY-FULL OF WIT, FACTS, DATES, AND THE BEST STUMP-SPEAKER WITH HIS DROLL WAYS AND DRY JOKES, IN THE WEST HE IS AS HONEST AS HE IS SHREWD.
STEPHEN A A. D DOUGLAS ON A ABRAHAM L LINCOLN.
June 1858 THERE IS NO REASON IN THE WORLD WHY THE NEGRO IS NOT ENt.i.tLED TO ALL THE NATURAL RIGHTS ENUMERATED IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THE RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. I HOLD THAT HE IS AS MUCH ENt.i.tLED TO THESE AS THE WHITE MAN.ABRAHAM LINCOLNThe first debate with Stephen A. Douglas at Ottawa, Illinois, August 21, 1858 -HE CHEERS FOR LINCOLN"S HOUSE DIVIDED SPEECH HAD BARELY died down when the criticism started up. To many, whether friend or foe, Lincoln"s words had sounded like the language of abolitionism. His biblical metaphor seemed to be a prophecy of civil war. Lincoln found himself on the defensive before the campaign had even begun. died down when the criticism started up. To many, whether friend or foe, Lincoln"s words had sounded like the language of abolitionism. His biblical metaphor seemed to be a prophecy of civil war. Lincoln found himself on the defensive before the campaign had even begun.
His friends were concerned. Leonard Swett, his close friend from the Eighth Judicial Circuit, believed Lincoln had defeated himself with the first ten lines of the speech. John Locke Scripps, the editor of the Chicago Democratic Press, Chicago Democratic Press, while joining in the widespread praise of the speech, wrote Lincoln to warn that "some of my Kentucky friends who want to be Republicans" objected to the "House Divided" metaphor. "This they hold is an implied pledge on behalf of the Republican party to make war upon the inst.i.tution in the States where it now exists." while joining in the widespread praise of the speech, wrote Lincoln to warn that "some of my Kentucky friends who want to be Republicans" objected to the "House Divided" metaphor. "This they hold is an implied pledge on behalf of the Republican party to make war upon the inst.i.tution in the States where it now exists."
Lincoln thanked Scripps for his support, "and yet I am mortified that any part of it should be construed so differently from any thing intended by me." Lincoln explained that his language did not a.s.sert the power of the federal government "to interfere with slavery in the States where it exists." He told Scripps that whenever the effort to spread slavery into the territories "shall be fairly headed off," by whatever means, then it will be on its way to "ultimate extinction"-what the founders had presumed would happen when they formed the nation.
STEPHEN DOUGLAS LEARNED of Lincoln"s speech just as the Thirty-fifth Congress was adjourning in Washington. Douglas confided to John W. Forney, the editor of the of Lincoln"s speech just as the Thirty-fifth Congress was adjourning in Washington. Douglas confided to John W. Forney, the editor of the Philadelphia Press, Philadelphia Press, "I shall have my hands full. He is the strong man of the party-full of wit, facts, dates, and the best stump-speaker, with his droll ways and dry jokes, in the West. He is as honest as he is shrewd, and if I beat him, my victory will be hardly won." "I shall have my hands full. He is the strong man of the party-full of wit, facts, dates, and the best stump-speaker, with his droll ways and dry jokes, in the West. He is as honest as he is shrewd, and if I beat him, my victory will be hardly won."
When Douglas returned to Chicago in early July 1858, cheering crowds greeted his arrival at the Great Central Depot aboard a special four-car train. Douglas heard artillery boom a 150-gun salute and saw welcome banners hanging from windows as he rode in an open carriage to the Tremont House. To many, he remained the leader of Illinois politics.
On the evening of July 9, 1858, Douglas opened his Senate campaign with a speech from the Tremont House"s balcony. Lincoln, at Douglas"s invitation, sat in a chair behind the senior senator. Douglas"s speech revealed the themes he would emphasize in the coming campaign. At the outset, he underlined "that great principle of self-government to which my life for many years past has been, and in the future will be devoted." Douglas took credit for the victory over the Lecompton Const.i.tution, but immediately pointed out that his opposition had nothing to do with the issue of slavery. Douglas"s speeches always combined defense and offense. He defended the Dred Scott decision, arguing that Republican criticism of the ruling failed to understand that "this government of ours is founded on the white basis. It was made by the white man, for the benefit of the white man, to be administered by white men."
With his challenger present, Douglas complimented Lincoln, saying he was a "kind, amiable, and intelligent gentleman, a good citizen and an honorable opponent." But then he returned to offense. Focusing on the "House Divided" speech, Douglas declared, "It is no answer ... to say that slavery is an evil and hence should not be tolerated. You must allow the people to decide for themselves whether it is a good or an evil." He warned that Lincoln was calling for "a war of sections, a war of the North against the South, of the free states against the slave states." Douglas hoped that his strong offense would put Lincoln on the defense.
Stephen Douglas, "the Little Giant" all of five feet four inches, would travel more than five thousand miles in his campaign and debates against Lincoln.
The next evening, Lincoln answered Douglas from the same balcony. He began in the self-deprecating manner that endeared him to audiences. He told the crowd that he would read from Douglas"s speech, "provided I can find it," as he struggled to bring out a rumpled copy of the Chicago Press and Tribune Chicago Press and Tribune from his coat pocket. He quoted Douglas"s story about how the Russians at the battle of Sebastopol (185455) had not stopped to inquire who their fusillade of bullets would hit, and Douglas said neither would he. Lincoln responded, "Well now, gentlemen, is not that very alarming?" which drew loud laughter from the crowd. "Just to think of it! Right at the outset of his canva.s.s, I, a poor, kind, amiable, intelligent [laughter] gentleman [laughter and renewed cheers] I am to be slain in this way. Why, my friend, the Judge, is not only, as it turns out, not a dead lion, nor even a living one-he is the rugged Russian Bear!" The crowd responded with "roars of laughter and loud applause." from his coat pocket. He quoted Douglas"s story about how the Russians at the battle of Sebastopol (185455) had not stopped to inquire who their fusillade of bullets would hit, and Douglas said neither would he. Lincoln responded, "Well now, gentlemen, is not that very alarming?" which drew loud laughter from the crowd. "Just to think of it! Right at the outset of his canva.s.s, I, a poor, kind, amiable, intelligent [laughter] gentleman [laughter and renewed cheers] I am to be slain in this way. Why, my friend, the Judge, is not only, as it turns out, not a dead lion, nor even a living one-he is the rugged Russian Bear!" The crowd responded with "roars of laughter and loud applause."
Lincoln devoted the first part of his speech to defending his position, talking about popular sovereignty and the Lecompton Const.i.tution. He addressed Douglas"s criticism that Lincoln was in favor of war between North and South. "I did not say that I was in favor of anything. ... I only said what I expected would take place. I made a prediction only-it may have been a foolish one perhaps." Lincoln became quite personal in explaining his lifelong opposition to slavery. "I have always hated slavery, I think as much as any Abolitionist. I have been an Old Line Whig. I always hated it, but I have always been quiet about it until this new era of the Nebraska Bill began."
In concluding, Lincoln lifted up the Declaration of Independence as the standard we might never reach perfectly, but to which we should nevertheless strive. He made his point by offering another biblical a.n.a.logy. "My friend has said to me that I am a poor hand to quote Scripture." Lincoln was sensitive to the criticism that because he was not a member of any church he was not ent.i.tled to use the Bible. "I will try it again, however." Lincoln appealed to "one of the admonitions of the Lord, "As your Father in Heaven is perfect, be ye also perfect." " Lincoln declared, "The Savior" had set up a standard of perfection but did not expect any human beings to reach it. Just so, the Declaration of Independence set a standard, "all men are created equal. ... I say ... let it be as nearly reached as we can."
THE CAMPAIGN FOR the U.S. Senate was off and running. Lincoln stayed in Chicago to consult with his advisers before heading home to Springfield. Within days, Douglas traveled south from Chicago like a conquering hero. He rode in a special car complete with flags and a banner that read "Stephen A. Douglas, the Champion of Popular Sovereignty." At a stop in Joliet, a twelve-pound cannon on a special flatcar was attached to the train. As the train approached each small town, two young men in semi-military dress fired the cannon to announce Doug las"s arrival. He arrived with his vivacious second wife, Adele. At only twenty-three, she was twenty-two years younger than her husband and offered a lively contrast to the often dour Douglas. She was a hit on the campaign trail, with both the ladies and the men. the U.S. Senate was off and running. Lincoln stayed in Chicago to consult with his advisers before heading home to Springfield. Within days, Douglas traveled south from Chicago like a conquering hero. He rode in a special car complete with flags and a banner that read "Stephen A. Douglas, the Champion of Popular Sovereignty." At a stop in Joliet, a twelve-pound cannon on a special flatcar was attached to the train. As the train approached each small town, two young men in semi-military dress fired the cannon to announce Doug las"s arrival. He arrived with his vivacious second wife, Adele. At only twenty-three, she was twenty-two years younger than her husband and offered a lively contrast to the often dour Douglas. She was a hit on the campaign trail, with both the ladies and the men.
On July 16, 1858, Lincoln traveled from Springfield to Bloomington to hear Douglas speak. When Douglas finished, loud calls went up for Lincoln to reply. He came to the front and received "three rousing cheers" from the crowd. Lincoln declined to speak, saying, "This meeting was called by the friends of Judge Douglas, and it would be improper for me to address it."
All interest now focused on Springfield. As the Douglas train neared the state capital, the cannon began firing every minute. This time, Doug las spoke in the afternoon and Lincoln in the evening. Douglas covered much of the same ground as in his Chicago and Bloomington speeches. He sought to distance himself from Lincoln"s a.s.sertion that he was an instrument in the extension of slavery. He first complimented and then condemned Lincoln. He is "a kind-hearted, amiable, good-natured gentleman ... and there is no objection to him, except the monstrous revolutionary doctrines with which he is identified and which he conscientiously entertains."
When Lincoln addressed a large crowd that evening, he spoke at length about how popular sovereignty had been nullified by the Dred Scott decision. He charged Douglas with "having been a party to that conspiracy and to that deception for the sole purpose of nationalizing slavery." In affirming the Declaration of Independence, he challenged Douglas that if he did not believe that all men are created equal, to come forward with an amendment: "Let them make it read that all men are created equal except negroes."
Up to this point Lincoln had decided, with the encouragement of his advisers, that as the challenger it would be a good idea to follow Doug las from place to place and attempt to speak after him. But the shadowing annoyed Douglas and his followers. The Chicago Times Chicago Times charged that Lincoln could not draw crowds on his own. Before long, some of Lincoln"s advisers began to question this strategy. They believed it put Lincoln on the defensive, and usually ended up attracting only a portion of the crowd that first heard Douglas. By the end of July, Lincoln had stopped trailing after Douglas and wrote a series of letters to friends in different communities explaining his change of tactics. "I should be at your town to-day with Judge Douglas, had he not strongly intimated in his letter, which you have seen in the newspapers, that my presence, on the days or evenings of his meetings would be considered an intrusion." Lincoln did not want to back away from challenging Douglas directly, but he needed to find a way to do so on a more equal footing. charged that Lincoln could not draw crowds on his own. Before long, some of Lincoln"s advisers began to question this strategy. They believed it put Lincoln on the defensive, and usually ended up attracting only a portion of the crowd that first heard Douglas. By the end of July, Lincoln had stopped trailing after Douglas and wrote a series of letters to friends in different communities explaining his change of tactics. "I should be at your town to-day with Judge Douglas, had he not strongly intimated in his letter, which you have seen in the newspapers, that my presence, on the days or evenings of his meetings would be considered an intrusion." Lincoln did not want to back away from challenging Douglas directly, but he needed to find a way to do so on a more equal footing.
Six weeks into the campaign, Lincoln and his advisers came up with the idea that would change the whole shape and tenor of the contest. They offered Douglas the opportunity for an extended series of debates, envisioning upward of fifty.
Lincoln was taking a risk. Douglas, with much more experience as a legislator than Lincoln, had built a reputation in the Senate as an outstanding debater. Some of Lincoln"s friends feared the Little Giant would run roughshod over their man.
These fears notwithstanding, Lincoln wrote a formal challenge to Douglas on July 24, 1858. "Will it be agreeable to you to make an arrangement for you and myself to divide time, and address the same audiences during the present canva.s.s?" As the inc.u.mbent, Douglas feared he had little to gain. He was also concerned that a third candidate, a Buchanan Democrat, might yet enter the field. But in the American West, a man could be labeled a coward if he refused a challenge.
Cornered, Douglas countered. He agreed to debate Lincoln, but not all over the state. Douglas proposed to limit the debates to seven, which would take place in seven of the nine congressional districts. There was no need for debates in Chicago and Springfield, where the candidates had spoken already. Douglas insisted on deciding the details of the debates. On July 29, 1858, on the way to speaking engagements, Lincoln and Douglas met outside the little town of Bement to hammer out final particulars. Douglas named the places and dates to fit his schedule. Two days later, after a week of negotiations, Lincoln wrote from Springfield, "I accede, and thus close the arrangement." Just as the corn was growing tall under the warm summer sun on the Illinois prairies, the campaign between Lincoln and Douglas was suddenly about to grow into the kind of historic event neither man could have imagined.
This map of Illinois shows the places of the seven debates between Lincoln and Douglas in the late summer and fall of 1858.
IN THE 1850S, in rural and small towns across Illinois, politics and religion were often the main shows in town. The preachers held forth on Sunday. The visiting lecturers spoke on cold winter evenings. Towns vied with one another to host the annual summer county fairs. Visiting circuses were antic.i.p.ated by people of all ages. With frequent elections, politics provided year-round drama, entertainment, and sources for gossip. The seven Lincoln-Douglas debates became the Fourth of July picnic, summer revival meeting, county fair, visiting circus, and visiting lecturer all rolled into one grand pageant.
People came from miles around, arriving early and staying late. Hotels overflowed with guests, with visitors sleeping on cots in halls and parlors, or on pews in churches, or on the streets on warm summer evenings. The debates became dramatic theater featuring two actors on stage who could not have been more different in height, looks, and political philosophies. The enthusiastic audiences were often larger than the towns where the debates were held.
A reporter for the New York Post New York Post captured the intense interest in politics mirrored in the Lincoln-Douglas debates. "It is astonishing how deep an interest in politics this people take. Over long weary miles of hot and dusty prairie the processions of eager partisans come-on foot, on horseback, in wagons drawn by horses or mules; men, women, and children, old and young." captured the intense interest in politics mirrored in the Lincoln-Douglas debates. "It is astonishing how deep an interest in politics this people take. Over long weary miles of hot and dusty prairie the processions of eager partisans come-on foot, on horseback, in wagons drawn by horses or mules; men, women, and children, old and young."
People poured into Ottawa, in north central Illinois, for the first debate. The green town of Ottawa, population seven thousand, was located at the confluence of the Fox and Illinois rivers. Ten years earlier, in 1848, it also became a ca.n.a.l town astride the Illinois and Michigan Ca.n.a.l, the final ca.n.a.l built in the United States and the last link between the eastern seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. Ottawa, part of the Third Congressional District, was represented by abolitionist Owen Lovejoy. A hotbed of abolitionism, with both water and rail connections, it had also become a stop on the Underground Railroad.
By the day of the debate, Sat.u.r.day, August 21, 1858, between twelve thousand and fifteen thousand people converged on Ottawa"s Lafayette Square at the center of town. Special trains brought spectators from Chicago. With no chairs provided, people prepared to stand for hours under the scorching sun. To make matters worse, the New York Evening New York Evening Post Post reported that from sunrise to high noon "Ottawa was deluged in dust." Patriotism was unfurled everywhere in the bright colors of flags, banners, and bunting. A cannon was fired at irregular intervals, punctuating the already noisy atmosphere. reported that from sunrise to high noon "Ottawa was deluged in dust." Patriotism was unfurled everywhere in the bright colors of flags, banners, and bunting. A cannon was fired at irregular intervals, punctuating the already noisy atmosphere.
Lincoln arrived at noon aboard a special Chicago and Rock Island seventeen-car train packed with his supporters. A vast crowd greeted him at the depot, from which he was taken by a carriage decorated with evergreens to the home of Mayor Joseph O. Glover to rest until the debate. Douglas made his grand entrance into Ottawa in a carriage drawn by four white horses.
Shortly after two o"clock, already behind schedule because of the crush of people, the dignitaries made their way to the speakers" stand, where representatives of the press and timekeepers jostled for s.p.a.ce to witness and monitor the event. Lincoln and Douglas took the center seats, flanked by Congressman Lovejoy, Mayor Glover, and Chief Shab-bona, elderly leader of the Ottawa Tribe. By the rules of the debates, the first partic.i.p.ant would speak for one hour, followed by a response of one and a half hours, with the first speaker given a final half hour for a reb.u.t.tal. Douglas would have the advantage of beginning and concluding four of the seven debates, including the first one. The crowds felt free to cheer, jeer, and offer questions and comments.
After an opening recapitulation of his leadership in pa.s.sing the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Douglas spent the majority of his first hour attacking Lincoln"s speeches and actions since 1854. Douglas, recognizing that he needed to climb a steep hill in a strongly Republican district, determined not to defend his record, but rather to force Lincoln to defend his.
He accused Lincoln and Illinois senator Lyman Trumbull of entering into an arrangement to dissolve the Whig and Democratic parties and "to connect the members of both into an Abolition party under the name and disguise of a Republican party." Douglas focused his attack on the early Republican meeting convened by Lovejoy in Springfield in October 1854. The week before the Ottawa debate, Douglas had written to his friend Charles H. Lamphier, editor of the Illinois State Register Illinois State Register in Springfield, seeking details about the platform enacted at that meeting. Douglas, in a dramatic gesture, held up the resolutions of the meeting of the "Black Republicans." He declared that his purpose in reading the resolutions was to ask Lincoln seven questions to see "whether he will stand by each article in that creed and carry it out." At that point a voice in the crowd called out, "Hit him again." Douglas resumed, "I ask Abraham Lincoln to answer these questions, in order that when I trot him down to lower Egypt [the extreme southern part of Illinois] I may put the same questions to him again. ... My purposes are the same everywhere." in Springfield, seeking details about the platform enacted at that meeting. Douglas, in a dramatic gesture, held up the resolutions of the meeting of the "Black Republicans." He declared that his purpose in reading the resolutions was to ask Lincoln seven questions to see "whether he will stand by each article in that creed and carry it out." At that point a voice in the crowd called out, "Hit him again." Douglas resumed, "I ask Abraham Lincoln to answer these questions, in order that when I trot him down to lower Egypt [the extreme southern part of Illinois] I may put the same questions to him again. ... My purposes are the same everywhere."
Douglas a.s.sured the audience that, knowing Lincoln for twenty-five years, "I mean nothing personally disrespectful or unkind to that gentleman." He proceeded to offer flattering remarks about Lincoln"s life and career, but salted each remark with satire. He described Lincoln as a "flourishing grocery-keeper" in New Salem-translation: Lincoln sold liquor. He offered mock praise for Lincoln as a congressman who "distinguished himself by his opposition to the Mexican war, taking the side of the common enemy against his own country." Finally, Douglas read the introduction of the "House Divided" speech. Even as the audience responded with "good," Douglas declared Lincoln"s words were "revolutionary and destructive of the existence of this government."
Douglas was also adept at turning national issues into local problems. Thus, he attacked Lincoln on his criticism of the Dred Scott decision by asking the audience "Are you in favor of conferring upon the negro the rights and privileges of citizenship?" ("No, no!") "Do you desire to strike out of our State Const.i.tution that clause which keeps slaves and free negroes out of the State, and allow the free negroes to flow in and cover your prairies with black settlements?" ("Never!") Douglas a.s.sailed Lincoln by playing up to the prejudices and fears of his audience. "I do not question Mr. Lincoln"s conscientious belief that the negro was made his equal, and hence is his brother, [laughter], but for my own part, I do not regard the negro as my equal, and positively deny that he is my brother or any kin to me whatever."
After an hour, Lincoln rose to offer his response. The crowd cheered so loudly and long that it was several minutes before he could begin. As he began to speak, he held in his hand a book containing Douglas speeches, editorials from newspapers, and several quotations he intended to use, including some from the founding fathers.
Henry Villard, a twenty-three-year-old German immigrant hired to cover the debates for the Illinois Staats-Zeitung, Illinois Staats-Zeitung, captured the unusual characteristics of Lincoln as a speaker. "He had a lean, lank, indescribably gawky figure, an odd-featured, wrinkled, inexpressive, and altogether uncomely face." As for his mannerisms, "He used singularly awkward, almost absurd, up-and-down and side-wise movements of his body to give emphasis to his arguments." And yet, observed Villard, in Lincoln one saw "a thoroughly earnest and truthful man, inspired by sound convictions." A reporter for the captured the unusual characteristics of Lincoln as a speaker. "He had a lean, lank, indescribably gawky figure, an odd-featured, wrinkled, inexpressive, and altogether uncomely face." As for his mannerisms, "He used singularly awkward, almost absurd, up-and-down and side-wise movements of his body to give emphasis to his arguments." And yet, observed Villard, in Lincoln one saw "a thoroughly earnest and truthful man, inspired by sound convictions." A reporter for the New York Evening Post New York Evening Post wrote, "I must confess that long Abe"s appearance is not comely. But stir him up and the fire of his genius plays on every feature. ... You have before you a man of rare power and magnetic influence." Whereas Douglas had been pretentious, often demeaning, and sometimes angry, Lincoln appeared comfortable, self-deprecating, and often humorous in his remarks. wrote, "I must confess that long Abe"s appearance is not comely. But stir him up and the fire of his genius plays on every feature. ... You have before you a man of rare power and magnetic influence." Whereas Douglas had been pretentious, often demeaning, and sometimes angry, Lincoln appeared comfortable, self-deprecating, and often humorous in his remarks.
Lincoln kept a sc.r.a.pbook filled with Douglas speeches, newspaper editorials, and quotations from the founding fathers as a ready resource to use during the debates.
Lincoln, in response to Douglas"s attacks, replied, "When a man hears himself misrepresented, it provokes him-at least, I find it so with myself;