conscience, and to the extent of his
influence injuring his country, by withholding it, or in any degree
qualifying its declaration. If there was a disposition to avoid
the true significance of the contest with the South, he would not
be a party to it. He believed he could discern the scope and read
the destiny of the impending sectional controversy. He was sure
he could see far beyond the present, and hear the voice of the
future. He would not close the book; he would not shut his eyes;
he would not stop his ears. He avowed his faith, and stood firmly
to his creed.

Mr. Douglas naturally, indeed inevitably, made his first and leading
speech against these averments of Mr. Lincoln. He had returned to
Illinois, after the adjournment of Congress, with a disturbed and
restless mind. He had one great ambition,--to re-instate himself
as a leader of the national Democracy, and, as incidental and
necessary to that end, to carry Illinois against Mr. Lincoln. The
issue embodied in Mr. Lincoln's speech afforded him the occasion
which he had coveted. His quick eye discerned an opportunity to
exclude from the canvass the disagreeable features in his own
political career by arraigning Mr. Lincoln as an enemy of the Union
and as an advocate of an internecine conflict in which the free
States and the slave States should wrestle in deadly encounter.
Douglas presented his indictment artfully and with singular force.
The two speeches were in all respects characteristic. Each had
made a strong presentation of his case, but the superior candor
and directness of Mr. Lincoln had made a deep impression on the
popular mind.

THE LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS DEBATE.

In the seven public debates which were held as the result of these
preliminary speeches, the questions at issue were elaborately and
exhaustively treated. The friends of each naturally claimed the
victory for their own champion. The speeches were listened to by
tens of thousands of eager auditors; but absorbing, indeed
unprecedented, as was the interest, the vast throngs behaved with
moderation and decorum. The discussion from beginning to end was
an amplification of the position which each had taken at the outset.
The arguments were held close to the subject, relating solely to
the slavery question, and not even incidentally referring to any
other political issue. Protection, free trade, internal improvements,
the sub-treasury,