be bought cheapest? And
unquestionably they can be bought cheaper in Africa than in Virginia.
He has done all in his power to reduce the whole question of slavery to
one of a mere right of property; and, as such, how can he oppose the
foreign slave-trade--how can he refuse that trade in that "property"
shall be "perfectly free"--unless he does it as a protection to the
home production? And as the home producers will probably not ask the
protection, he will be wholly without a ground of opposition.

Senator Douglas holds, we know, that a man may rightfully be wiser
to-day than he was yesterday--that he may rightfully change when he
finds himself wrong. But can we, for that reason, run ahead, and infer
that he will make any particular change, of which he himself has given
no intimation? Can we safely base our action upon any such vague
inference? Now, as ever, I wish not to misrepresent Judge Douglas's
position, question his motives, or do aught that can be personally
offensive to him. Whenever, if ever, he and we can come together on
principle so that our great cause may have assistance from his great
ability, I hope to have interposed no adventitious obstacle. But
clearly he is not now with us--he does not pretend to be--he does not
promise ever to be.

Our cause, then, must be intrusted to, and conducted by, its own
undoubted friends--those whose hands are free, whose hearts are in the
work, who do care for the result. Two years ago the Republicans of the
nation mustered over thirteen hundred thousand strong. We did this
under the single impulse of resistance to a common danger, with every
external circumstance against us. Of strange, discordant, and even
hostile elements, we gathered from the four winds, and formed and
fought the battle through, under the constant hot fire of a
disciplined, proud, and pampered enemy. Did we brave all then to
falter now?--now, when that same enemy is wavering, dissevered, and
belligerent? The result is not doubtful. We shall not fail--if we
stand firm, we _shall not fail_. Wise counsels may accelerate or
mistakes delay it, but, sooner or later, the victory is sure to come.

SECOND JOINT DEBATE AT FREEPORT, AUGUST 27, 1858

Ladies and Gentlemen; On Saturday last, Judge Douglas and myself first
met in public discussion. He spoke one hour, I an hour and a half, and
he replied for half an hour. The order is now reversed. I am to speak
an hour, he an hour and a h