第14章

Whatistheparagraph？Inthisparagraph，whichIhavequotedinyourhearing，andtowhichIasktheattentionofall，JudgeDouglasthinkshediscoversgreatpoliticalheresy。Iwantyourattentionparticularlytowhathehasinferredfromit。HesaysIaminfavorofmakingalltheStatesofthisUnionuniforminalltheirinternalregulations；thatinalltheirdomesticconcernsIaminfavorofmakingthementirelyuniform。HedrawsthisinferencefromthelanguageIhavequotedtoyou。HesaysthatIaminfavorofmakingwarbytheNorthupontheSouthfortheextinctionofslavery；thatIamalsoinfavorofinviting(asheexpressesit)theSouthtoawarupontheNorthforthepurposeofnationalizingslavery。Now，itissingularenough，ifyouwillcarefullyreadthatpassageover，thatIdidnotsaythatIwasinfavorofanythinginit。IonlysaidwhatI

expectedwouldtakeplace。Imadeapredictiononly，——itmayhavebeenafoolishone，perhaps。IdidnotevensaythatI

desiredthatslaveryshouldbeputincourseofultimateextinction。Idosaysonow，however，sothereneedbenolongeranydifficultyaboutthat。Itmaybewrittendowninthegreatspeech。

Gentlemen，JudgeDouglasinformedyouthatthisspeechofminewasprobablycarefullyprepared。Iadmitthatitwas。Iamnotmasteroflanguage；Ihavenotafineeducation；Iamnotcapableofenteringintoadisquisitionupondialectics，asIbelieveyoucallit；butIdonotbelievethelanguageIemployedbearsanysuchconstructionasJudgeDouglasputsuponit。ButIdon’tcareaboutaquibbleinregardtowords。IknowwhatImeant，andIwillnotleavethiscrowdindoubt，ifIcanexplainittothem，whatIreallymeantintheuseofthatparagraph。

Iamnot，inthefirstplace，unawarethatthisgovernmenthasenduredeighty—twoyearshalfslaveandhalffree。Iknowthat。

Iamtolerablywellacquaintedwiththehistoryofthecountry，andIknowthatithasenduredeighty—twoyearshalfslaveandhalffree。Ibelieve——andthatiswhatImeanttoalludetothere——Ibelieveithasenduredbecauseduringallthattime，untiltheintroductionoftheNebraskaBill，thepublicminddidrestallthetimeinthebeliefthatslaverywasincourseofultimateextinction。Thatwaswhatgaveustherestthatwehadthroughthatperiodofeighty—twoyears，——atleast，soIbelieve。

Ihavealwayshatedslavery，Ithink，asmuchasanyAbolitionist，——IhavebeenanOldLineWhig，——Ihavealwayshatedit；butIhavealwaysbeenquietaboutituntilthisneweraoftheintroductionoftheNebraskaBillbegan。Ialwaysbelievedthateverybodywasagainstit，andthatitwasincourseofultimateextinction。[PointingtoMr。Browning，whostoodnearby。]Browningthoughtso；thegreatmassofthenationhaverestedinthebeliefthatslaverywasincourseofultimateextinction。Theyhadreasonsotobelieve。

TheadoptionoftheConstitutionanditsattendanthistoryledthepeopletobelieveso；andthatsuchwasthebeliefoftheframersoftheConstitutionitself，whydidthoseoldmen，aboutthetimeoftheadoptionoftheConstitution，decreethatslaveryshouldnotgointothenewTerritory，whereithadnotalreadygone？WhydeclarethatwithintwentyyearstheAfricanslavetrade，bywhichslavesaresupplied，mightbecutoffbyCongress？Whywerealltheseacts？Imightenumeratemoreoftheseacts；butenough。WhatweretheybutaclearindicationthattheframersoftheConstitutionintendedandexpectedtheultimateextinctionofthatinstitution？Andnow，whenIsay，asIsaidinmyspeechthatJudgeDouglashasquotedfrom，whenI

saythatIthinktheopponentsofslaverywillresistthefartherspreadofit，andplaceitwherethepublicmindshallrestwiththebeliefthatitisincourseofultimateextinction，Ionlymeantosaythattheywillplaceitwherethefoundersofthisgovernmentoriginallyplacedit。

Ihavesaidahundredtimes，andIhavenownoinclinationtotakeitback，thatIbelievethereisnoright，andoughttobenoinclination，inthepeopleofthefreeStatestoenterintotheslaveStatesandinterferewiththequestionofslaveryatall。Ihavesaidthatalways；JudgeDouglashasheardmesayit，ifnotquiteahundredtimes，atleastasgoodasahundredtimes；andwhenitissaidthatIaminfavorofinterferingwithslaverywhereitexists，IknowitisunwarrantedbyanythingI

haveeverintended，and，asIbelieve，byanythingIhaveeversaid。If，byanymeans，Ihaveeverusedlanguagewhichcouldfairlybesoconstrued(as，however，IbelieveIneverhave)，I

nowcorrectit。

Somuch，then，fortheinferencethatJudgeDouglasdraws，thatI

aminfavorofsettingthesectionsatwarwithoneanother。I

knowthatInevermeantanysuchthing，andIbelievethatnofairmindcaninferanysuchthingfromanythingIhaveeversaid。

Now，inrelationtohisinferencethatIaminfavorofageneralconsolidationofallthelocalinstitutionsofthevariousStates。Iwillattendtothatforalittlewhile，andtrytoinquire，ifIcan，howonearthitcouldbethatanymancoulddrawsuchaninferencefromanythingIsaid。Ihavesaid，verymanytimes，inJudgeDouglas’shearing，thatnomanbelievedmorethanIintheprincipleofself—government；thatitliesatthebottomofallmyideasofjustgovernment，frombeginningtoend。

Ihavedeniedthathisuseofthattermappliesproperly。Butforthethingitself，Idenythatanymanhasevergoneaheadofmeinhisdevotiontotheprinciple，whateverhemayhavedoneinefficiencyinadvocatingit。IthinkthatIhavesaiditinyourhearing，thatIbelieveeachindividualisnaturallyentitledtodoashepleaseswithhimselfandthefruitofhislabor，sofarasitinnowiseinterfereswithanyotherman’srights；thateachcommunityasaStatehasarighttodoexactlyasitpleaseswithalltheconcernswithinthatStatethatinterferewiththerightofnootherState；andthattheGeneralGovernment，uponprinciple，hasnorighttointerferewithanythingotherthanthatgeneralclassofthingsthatdoesconcernthewhole。Ihavesaidthatatalltimes。Ihavesaid，asillustrations，thatIdonotbelieveintherightofIllinoistointerferewiththecranberrylawsofIndiana，theoysterlawsofVirginia，ortheliquorlawsofMaine。Ihavesaidthesethingsoverandoveragain，andIrepeatthemhereasmysentiments。

Howisit，then，thatJudgeDouglasinfers，becauseIhopetoseeslaveryputwherethepublicmindshallrestinthebeliefthatitisinthecourseofultimateextinction，thatIaminfavorofIllinoisgoingoverandinterferingwiththecranberrylawsofIndiana？Whatcanauthorizehimtodrawanysuchinference？

Isupposetheremightbeonethingthatatleastenabledhimtodrawsuchaninferencethatwouldnotbetruewithmeormanyothers：thatis，becausehelooksuponallthismatterofslaveryasanexceedinglylittlething，——thismatterofkeepingonesixthofthepopulationofthewholenationinastateofoppressionandtyrannyunequaledintheworld。Helooksuponitasbeinganexceedinglylittlething，——onlyequaltothequestionofthecranberrylawsofIndiana；assomethinghavingnomoralquestioninit；assomethingonaparwiththequestionofwhetheramanshallpasturehislandwithcattle，orplantitwithtobacco；solittleandsosmallathingthatheconcludes，ifIcoulddesirethatanythingshouldbedonetobringabouttheultimateextinctionofthatlittlething，ImustbeinfavorofbringingaboutanamalgamationofalltheotherlittlethingsintheUnion。Now，itsohappens——andthere，Ipresume，isthefoundationofthismistake——thattheJudgethinksthus；anditsohappensthatthereisavastportionoftheAmericanpeoplethatdonotlookuponthatmatterasbeingthisverylittlething。

Theylookuponitasavastmoralevil；theycanproveitassuchbythewritingsofthosewhogaveustheblessingsoflibertywhichweenjoy，andthattheysolookeduponit，andnotasanevilmerelyconfiningitselftotheStateswhereitissituated；

andwhileweagreethat，bytheConstitutionweassentedto，intheStateswhereitexists，wehavenorighttointerferewithit，becauseitisintheConstitution；andwearebybothdutyandinclinationtostickbythatConstitution，inallitsletterandspirit，frombeginningtoend，Somuch，then，astomydisposition——mywishtohavealltheStatelegislaturesblottedout，andtohaveoneconsolidatedgovernment，andauniformityofdomesticregulationsinalltheStates，bywhichIsupposeitismeant，ifweraisecornhere，wemustmakesugar—canegrowheretoo，andwemustmakethosewhichgrowNorthgrowintheSouth。AllthisIsupposeheunderstandsIaminfavorofdoing。Now，somuchforallthisnonsense；forImustcallitso。TheJudgecanhavenoissuewithmeonaquestionofestablishinguniformityinthedomesticregulationsoftheStates。

Alittlenowontheotherpoint，——theDredScottdecision。

AnotheroftheissueshesaysthatistobemadewithmeisuponhisdevotiontotheDredScottdecision，andmyoppositiontoit。

Ihaveexpressedheretofore，andInowrepeat，myoppositiontotheDredScottdecision；butIshouldbeallowedtostatethenatureofthatopposition，andIaskyourindulgencewhileIdoso。WhatisfairlyimpliedbythetermJudgeDouglashasused，"resistancetothedecision"？Idonotresistit。IfIwantedtotakeDredScottfromhismaster，Iwouldbeinterferingwithproperty，andthatterribledifficultythatJudgeDouglasspeaksof，ofinterferingwithproperty，wouldarise。ButIamdoingnosuchthingasthat，butallthatIamdoingisrefusingtoobeyitasapoliticalrule。IfIwereinCongress，andavoteshouldcomeuponaquestionwhetherslaveryshouldbeprohibitedinanewTerritory，inspiteoftheDredScottdecision，Iwouldvotethatitshould。

ThatiswhatIshoulddo。JudgeDouglassaidlastnightthatbeforethedecisionhemightadvancehisopinion，anditmightbecontrarytothedecisionwhenitwasmade；butafteritwasmadehewouldabidebyituntilitwasreversed。Justso！Weletthispropertyabidebythedecision，butwewilltrytoreversethatdecision。WewilltrytoputitwhereJudgeDouglaswouldnotobject，forhesayshewillobeyituntilitisreversed。

Somebodyhastoreversethatdecision，sinceitismade，andwemeantoreverseit，andwemeantodoitpeaceably。

Whataretheusesofdecisionsofcourts？Theyhavetwouses。

Asrulesofpropertytheyhavetwouses。First，theydecideuponthequestionbeforethecourt。TheydecideinthiscasethatDredScottisaslave。Nobodyresiststhat，notonlythat，buttheysaytoeverybodyelsethatpersonsstandingjustasDredScottstandsareasheis。Thatis，theysaythatwhenaquestioncomesupuponanotherperson，itwillbesodecidedagain，unlessthecourtdecidesinanotherway，unlessthecourtoverrulesitsdecision。Well，wemeantodowhatwecantohavethecourtdecidetheotherway。Thatisonethingwemeantotrytodo。

ThesacrednessthatJudgeDouglasthrowsaroundthisdecisionisadegreeofsacrednessthathasneverbeenbeforethrownaroundanyotherdecision。Ihaveneverheardofsuchathing。Why，decisionsapparentlycontrarytothatdecision，orthatgoodlawyersthoughtwerecontrarytothatdecision，havebeenmadebythatverycourtbefore。Itisthefirstofitskind；itisanastonisherinlegalhistory。Itisanewwonderoftheworld。

Itisbaseduponfalsehoodinthemainastothefacts；

allegationsoffactsuponwhichitstandsarenotfactsatallinmanyinstances，andnodecisionmadeonanyquestion——thefirstinstanceofadecisionmadeundersomanyunfavorablecircumstances——thusplaced，haseverbeenheldbytheprofessionaslaw，andithasalwaysneededconfirmationbeforethelawyersregardeditassettledlaw。ButJudgeDouglaswillhaveitthatallhandsmusttakethisextraordinarydecision，madeundertheseextraordinarycircumstances，andgivetheirvoteinCongressinaccordancewithit，yieldtoit，andobeyitineverypossiblesense。Circumstancesaltercases。DonotgentlemenhererememberthecaseofthatsameSupremeCourtsometwenty—fiveorthirtyyearsagodecidingthataNationalBankwasconstitutional？Iask，ifsomebodydoesnotrememberthataNationalBankwasdeclaredtobeconstitutional？Suchisthetruth，whetheritberememberedornot。TheBankcharterranout，andarecharterwasgrantedbyCongress。ThatrecharterwaslaidbeforeGeneralJackson。Itwasurgeduponhim，whenhedeniedtheconstitutionalityoftheBank，thattheSupremeCourthaddecidedthatitwasconstitutional；andGeneralJacksonthensaidthattheSupremeCourthadnorighttolaydownaruletogovernacoordinatebranchofthegovernment，themembersofwhichhadsworntosupporttheConstitution；thateachmemberhadsworntosupportthatConstitutionasheunderstoodit。IwillventureheretosaythatIhaveheardJudgeDouglassaythatheapprovedofGeneralJacksonforthatact。Whathasnowbecomeofallhistiradeabout"resistanceoftheSupremeCourt"？

Myfellow—citizens，gettingbackalittle，——forIpassfromthesepoints，——whenJudgeDouglasmakeshisthreatofannihilationuponthe"alliance，"heiscautioustosaythatthatwarfareofhisistofallupontheleadersoftheRepublicanparty。Almosteverywordheutters，andeverydistinctionhemakes，hasitssignificance。HemeansfortheRepublicanswhodonotcountthemselvesasleaders，tobehisfriends；hemakesnofussoverthem；itistheleadersthatheismakingwarupon。HewantsitunderstoodthatthemassoftheRepublicanpartyarereallyhisfriends。Itisonlytheleadersthataredoingsomethingthatareintolerant，andthatrequireexterminationathishands。Asthisisdearlyandunquestionablythelightinwhichhepresentsthatmatter，Iwanttoaskyourattention，addressingmyselftotheRepublicanshere，thatImayaskyousomequestionsastowhereyou，astheRepublicanparty，wouldbeplacedifyousustainedJudgeDouglasinhispresentpositionbyare—election？

Idonotclaim，gentlemen，tobeunselfish；IdonotpretendthatIwouldnotliketogototheUnitedStatesSenate，——Imakenosuchhypocriticalpretense；butIdosaytoyouthatinthismightyissueitisnothingtoyou——nothingtothemassofthepeopleofthenation，——whetherornotJudgeDouglasormyselfshalleverbeheardofafterthisnight；itmaybeatrifletoeitherofus，butinconnectionwiththismightyquestion，uponwhichhangthedestiniesofthenation，perhaps，itisabsolutelynothing：butwherewillyoubeplacedifyoureindorseJudgeDouglas？Don’tyouknowhowaptheis，howexceedinglyanxiousheisatalltimes，toseizeuponanythingandeverythingtopersuadeyouthatsomethinghehasdoneyoudidyourselves？Why，hetriedtopersuadeyoulastnightthatourIllinoisLegislatureinstructedhimtointroducetheNebraskaBill。TherewasnobodyinthatLegislatureeverthoughtofsuchathing；andwhenhefirstintroducedthebill，heneverthoughtofit；butstillhefightsfuriouslyfortheproposition，andthathediditbecausetherewasastandinginstructiontoourSenatorstobealwaysintroducingNebraskabills。HetellsyouheisfortheCincinnatiplatform，hetellsyouheisfortheDredScottdecision。Hetellsyou，notinhisspeechlastnight，butsubstantiallyinaformerspeech，thathecaresnotifslaveryisvotedupordown；hetellsyouthestruggleonLecomptonispast；

itmaycomeupagainornot，andifitdoes，hestandswherehestoodwhen，inspiteofhimandhisopposition，youbuiltuptheRepublicanparty。Ifyouindorsehim，youtellhimyoudonotcarewhetherslaverybevotedupordown，andhewillcloseortrytocloseyourmouthswithhisdeclaration，repeatedbytheday，theweek，themonth，andtheyear。Isthatwhatyoumean？

[Criesof"No，"onevoiceYes。"]Yes，Ihavenodoubtyouwhohavealwaysbeenforhim，ifyoumeanthat。Nodoubtofthat，soberlyIhavesaid，andIrepeatit。Ithink，inthepositioninwhichJudgeDouglasstoodinopposingtheLecomptonConstitution，hewasright；hedoesnotknowthatitwillreturn，butifitdoeswemayknowwheretofindhim，andifitdoesnot，wemayknowwheretolookforhim，andthatisontheCincinnatiplatform。Now，IcouldasktheRepublicanparty，afterallthehardnamesthatJudgeDouglashascalledthembyallhisrepeatedchargesoftheirinclinationtomarrywithandhugnegroes；allhisdeclarationsofBlackRepublicanism，——bytheway，weareimproving，theblackhasgotrubbedoff，——butwithallthat，ifhebeindorsedbyRepublicanvotes，wheredoyoustand？Plainly，youstandreadysaddled，bridled，andharnessed，andwaitingtobedrivenovertotheslaveryextensioncampofthenation，——justreadytobedrivenover，tiedtogetherinalot，tobedrivenover，everymanwitharopearoundhisneck，thathalterbeingheldbyJudgeDouglas。Thatisthequestion。IfRepublicanmenhavebeeninearnestinwhattheyhavedone，Ithinktheyhadbetternotdoit；butIthinkthattheRepublicanpartyismadeupofthosewho，asfarastheycanpeaceably，willopposetheextensionofslavery，andwhowillhopeforitsultimateextinction。Iftheybelieveitiswrongingraspingupthenewlandsofthecontinentandkeepingthemfromthesettlementoffreewhitelaborers，whowantthelandtobringuptheirfamiliesupon；iftheyareinearnest，althoughtheymaymakeamistake，theywillgrowrestless，andthetimewillcomewhentheywillcomebackagainandreorganize，ifnotbythesamename，atleastuponthesameprinciplesastheirpartynowhas。Itisbetter，then，tosavetheworkwhileitisbegun。Youhavedonethelabor；maintainit，keepit。Ifmenchoosetoserveyou，gowiththem；butasyouhavemadeupyourorganizationuponprinciple，standbyit；for，assurelyasGodreignsoveryou，andhasinspiredyourmind，andgivenyouasenseofpropriety，andcontinuestogiveyouhope，sosurelywillyoustillclingtotheseideas，andyouwillatlastcomebackagainafteryourwanderings，merelytodoyourworkoveragain。

Wewereoften，——morethanonce，atleast，——inthecourseofJudgeDouglas’sspeechlastnight，remindedthatthisgovernmentwasmadeforwhitemen；thathebelieveditwasmadeforwhitemen。

Well，thatisputtingitintoashapeinwhichnoonewantstodenyit；buttheJudgethengoesintohispassionfordrawinginferencesthatarenotwarranted。Iprotest，nowandforever，againstthatcounterfeitlogicwhichpresumesthatbecauseIdidnotwantanegrowomanforaslave，Idonecessarilywantherforawife。MyunderstandingisthatIneednothaveherforeither，but，asGodmadeusseparate，wecanleaveoneanotheralone，anddooneanothermuchgoodthereby。Therearewhitemenenoughtomarryallthewhitewomen，andenoughblackmentomarryalltheblackwomen；andinGod’snameletthembesomarried。TheJudgeregalesuswiththeterribleenormitiesthattakeplacebythemixtureofraces；thattheinferiorracebearsthesuperiordown。

Why，Judge，ifwedonotletthemgettogetherintheTerritories，theywon’tmixthere。

[Avoice："ThreecheersforLincoln"。——Thecheersweregivenwithaheartygood—will。]

Ishouldsayatleastthatthatisaself—evidenttruth。

Now，ithappensthatwemeettogetheronceeveryyear，sometimesaboutthe4thofJuly，forsomereasonorother。These4thofJulygatheringsIsupposehavetheiruses。Ifyouwillindulgeme，IwillstatewhatIsupposetobesomeofthem。

Wearenowamightynation；wearethirtyoraboutthirtymillionsofpeople，andweownandinhabitaboutonefifteenthpartofthedrylandofthewholeearth。Werunourmemorybackoverthepagesofhistoryforabouteighty—twoyears，andwediscoverthatwewerethenaverysmallpeopleinpointofnumbers，vastlyinferiortowhatwearenow，withavastlylessextentofcountry，withvastlylessofeverythingwedeemdesirableamongmen；welookuponthechangeasexceedinglyadvantageoustousandtoourposterity，andwefixuponsomethingthathappenedawayback，asinsomewayorotherbeingconnectedwiththisriseofprosperity。Wefindaraceofmenlivinginthatdaywhomweclaimasourfathersandgrandfathers；

theywereironmen；theyfoughtfortheprinciplethattheywerecontendingfor；andweunderstoodthatbywhattheythendidithasfollowedthatthedegreeofprosperitywhichwenowenjoyhascometous。Weholdthisannualcelebrationtoremindourselvesofallthegooddoneinthisprocessoftime，ofhowitwasdoneandwhodidit，andhowwearehistoricallyconnectedwithit；

andwegofromthesemeetingsinbetterhumorwithourselves，wefeelmoreattachedtheonetotheother，andmorefirmlyboundtothecountryweinhabit。Ineverywaywearebettermenintheageandraceandcountryinwhichwelive，forthesecelebrations。Butafterwehavedoneallthiswehavenotyetreachedthewhole。Thereissomethingelseconnectedwithit。

Wehave——besidesthese，mendescendedbybloodfromourancestors——amongusperhapshalfourpeoplewhoarenotdescendantsatallofthesemen；theyaremenwhohavecomefromEurope，German，Irish，French，andScandinavian，——menthathavecomefromEuropethemselves，orwhoseancestorshavecomehitherandsettledhere，findingthemselvesourequalsinallthings。

Iftheylookbackthroughthishistorytotracetheirconnectionwiththosedaysbyblood，theyfindtheyhavenone，theycannotcarrythemselvesbackintothatgloriousepochandmakethemselvesfeelthattheyarepartofus；butwhentheylookthroughthatoldDeclarationofIndependence，theyfindthatthoseoldmensaythat"Weholdthesetruthstobeself—evident，thatallmenarecreatedequal"；andthentheyfeelthatthatmoralsentiment，taughtinthatday，evidencestheirrelationtothosemen，thatitisthefatherofallmoralprincipleinthem，andthattheyhavearighttoclaimitasthoughtheywerebloodoftheblood，andfleshoftheflesh，ofthemenwhowrotethatDeclaration；andsotheyare。ThatistheelectriccordinthatDeclarationthatlinkstheheartsofpatrioticandliberty—lovingmentogether，thatwilllinkthosepatrioticheartsaslongastheloveoffreedomexistsinthemindsofmenthroughouttheworld。

Now，sirs，forthepurposeofsquaringthingswiththisideaof"don’tcareifslaveryisvoteduporvoteddown，"forsustainingtheDredScottdecision，forholdingthattheDeclarationofIndependencedidnotmeananythingatall，wehaveJudgeDouglasgivinghisexpositionofwhattheDeclarationofIndependencemeans，andwehavehimsayingthatthepeopleofAmericaareequaltothepeopleofEngland。Accordingtohisconstruction，youGermansarenotconnectedwithit。Now，Iaskyouinallsobernessifallthesethings，ifindulgedin，ifratified，ifconfirmedandindorsed，iftaughttoourchildren，andrepeatedtothem，donottendtoruboutthesentimentoflibertyinthecountry，andtotransformthisgovernmentintoagovernmentofsomeotherform。Thoseargumentsthataremade，thattheinferiorracearetobetreatedwithasmuchallowanceastheyarecapableofenjoying；thatasmuchistobedoneforthemastheirconditionwillallow，——whatarethesearguments？Theyaretheargumentsthatkingshavemadeforenslavingthepeopleinallagesoftheworld。Youwillfindthatalltheargumentsinfavorofkingcraftwereofthisclass；theyalwaysbestrodethenecksofthepeoplenotthattheywantedtodoit，butbecausethepeoplewerebetteroffforbeingridden。Thatistheirargument，andthisargumentoftheJudgeisthesameoldserpentthatsays，Youwork，andIeat；youtoil，andIwillenjoythefruitsofit。Turninwhateverwayyouwill，whetheritcomefromthemouthofaking，anexcuseforenslavingthepeopleofhiscountry，orfromthemouthofmenofoneraceasareasonforenslavingthemenofanotherrace，itisallthesameoldserpent；andIhold，ifthatcourseofargumentationthatismadeforthepurposeofconvincingthepublicmindthatweshouldnotcareaboutthisshouldbegranted，itdoesnotstopwiththenegro。Ishouldliketoknow，iftakingthisoldDeclarationofIndependence，whichdeclaresthatallmenareequaluponprinciple，andmakingexceptionstoit，wherewillitstop？Ifonemansaysitdoesnotmeananegro，whynotanothersayitdoesnotmeansomeotherman？IfthatDeclarationisnotthetruth，letusgetthestatutebook，inwhichwefindit，andtearitout！Whoissoboldastodoit？Ifitisnottrue，letustearitout！[Criesof"No，no。"]Letussticktoit，then；letusstandfirmlybyit，then。

Itmaybearguedthattherearecertainconditionsthatmakenecessitiesandimposethemuponus；andtotheextentthatanecessityisimposeduponaman，hemustsubmittoit。Ithinkthatwastheconditioninwhichwefoundourselveswhenweestablishedthisgovernment。Wehadslaveryamongus，wecouldnotgetourConstitutionunlesswepermittedthemtoremaininslavery，wecouldnotsecurethegoodwedidsecureifwegraspedformore；andhavingbynecessitysubmittedtothatmuch，itdoesnotdestroytheprinciplethatisthecharterofourliberties。

Letthatcharterstandasourstandard。

MyfriendhassaidtomethatIamapoorhandtoquoteScripture。Iwilltryitagain，however。ItissaidinoneoftheadmonitionsofourLord，"AsyourFatherinheavenisperfect，beyealsoperfect。"TheSavior，Isuppose，didnotexpectthatanyhumancreaturecouldbeperfectastheFatherinheaven；buthesaid，"AsyourFatherinheavenisperfect，beyealsoperfect。"Hesetthatupasastandard；andhewhodidmosttowardsreachingthatstandardattainedthehighestdegreeofmoralperfection。SoIsayinrelationtotheprinciplethatallmenarecreatedequal，letitbeasnearlyreachedaswecan。Ifwecannotgivefreedomtoeverycreature，letusdonothingthatwillimposeslaveryuponanyothercreature。LetusthenturnthisgovernmentbackintothechannelinwhichtheframersoftheConstitutionoriginallyplacedit。Letusstandfirmlybyeachother。Ifwedonotdoso，weareturninginthecontrarydirection，thatourfriendJudgeDouglasproposes——notintentionally——asworkinginthetracestendstomakethisoneuniversalslavenation。Heisonethatrunsinthatdirection，andassuchIresisthim。

Myfriends，IhavedetainedyouaboutaslongasIdesiredtodo，andIhaveonlytosay：Letusdiscardallthisquibblingaboutthismanandtheotherman，thisraceandthatraceandtheotherracebeinginferior，andthereforetheymustbeplacedinaninferiorposition；discardingourstandardthatwehaveleftus。

Letusdiscardallthesethings，anduniteasonepeoplethroughoutthisland，untilweshalloncemorestandupdeclaringthatallmenarecreatedequal。

Myfriends，Icouldnot，withoutlaunchingoffuponsomenewtopic，whichwoulddetainyoutoolong，continueto—night。I

thankyouforthismostextensiveaudiencethatyouhavefurnishedmeto—night。Ileaveyou，hopingthatthelampoflibertywillburninyourbosomsuntilthereshallnolongerbeadoubtthatallmenarecreatedfreeandequal。

SPEECHATSPRINGFIELD，JULY17，1858。

DELIVEREDSATURDAYEVENING

(Mr。Douglaswasnotpresent。)

FELLOW—CITIZENS：——Anotherelection，whichisdeemedanimportantone，isapproaching，and，asIsuppose，theRepublicanpartywill，withoutmuchdifficulty，electtheirStateticket。ButinregardtotheLegislature，we，theRepublicans，laborundersomedisadvantages。Inthefirstplace，wehaveaLegislaturetoelectuponanapportionmentoftherepresentationmadeseveralyearsago，whentheproportionofthepopulationwasfargreaterintheSouth(ascomparedwiththeNorth)thanitnowis；andinasmuchasouropponentsholdalmostentireswayintheSouth，andweacorrespondinglylargemajorityintheNorth，thefactthatwearenowtoberepresentedaswewereyearsago，whenthepopulationwasdifferent，istousaverygreatdisadvantage。Wehadintheyear1855，accordingtolaw，acensus，orenumerationoftheinhabitants，takenforthepurposeofanewapportionmentofrepresentation。Weknowwhatafairapportionmentofrepresentationuponthatcensuswouldgiveus。Weknowthatitcouldnot，iffairlymade，failtogivetheRepublicanpartyfromsixtotenmoremembersoftheLegislaturethantheycanprobablygetasthelawnowstands。ItsohappenedatthelastsessionoftheLegislaturethatouropponents，holdingthecontrolofbothbranchesoftheLegislature，steadilyrefusedtogiveussuchanapportionmentaswewererightlyentitledtohaveuponthecensusalreadytaken。TheLegislaturesteadilyrefusedtogiveussuchanapportionmentaswewererightfullyentitledtohaveuponthecensustakenofthepopulationoftheState。TheLegislaturewouldpassnobilluponthatsubject，exceptsuchaswasatleastasunfairtousastheoldone，andinwhich，insomeinstances，twomenintheDemocraticregionswereallowedtogoasfartowardsendingamembertotheLegislatureasthreewereintheRepublicanregions。Comparisonwasmadeatthetimeastorepresentativeandsenatorialdistricts，whichcompletelydemonstratedthatsuchwasthefact。SuchabillwaspassedandtenderedtotheRepublicanGovernorforhissignature；but，principallyforthereasonsIhavestated，hewithheldhisapproval，andthebillfellwithoutbecomingalaw。

AnotherdisadvantageunderwhichwelaboristhatthereareoneortwoDemocraticSenatorswhowillbemembersofthenextLegislature，andwillvotefortheelectionofSenator，whoareholdingoverindistrictsinwhichwecould，onallreasonablecalculation，electmenofourown，ifweonlyhadthechanceofanelection。Whenweconsiderthattherearebuttwenty—fiveSenatorsintheSenate，takingtwofromthesidewheretheyrightfullybelong，andaddingthemtotheother，istousadisadvantagenottobelightlyregarded。Still，soitis；wehavethistocontendwith。Perhapsthereisnogroundofcomplaintonourpart。InattendingtothemanythingsinvolvedinthelastgeneralelectionforPresident，Governor，Auditor，Treasurer，SuperintendentofPublicInstruction，MembersofCongress，oftheLegislature，CountyOfficers，andsoon，weallowedthesethingstohappenbywantofsufficientattention，andwehavenocausetocomplainofouradversaries，sofarasthismatterisconcerned。Butwehavesomecausetocomplainoftherefusaltogiveusafairapportionment。

Thereisstillanotherdisadvantageunderwhichwelabor，andtowhichIwillaskyourattention。ItarisesoutoftherelativepositionsofthetwopersonswhostandbeforetheStateascandidatesfortheSenate。SenatorDouglasisofworld—widerenown。Alltheanxiouspoliticiansofhisparty，orwhohavebeenofhispartyforyearspast，havebeenlookinguponhimascertainly，atnodistantday，tobethePresidentoftheUnitedStates。Theyhaveseeninhisround，jolly，fruitfulfacepost—offices，land—offices，marshalships，andcabinetappointments，charge—shipsandforeignmissionsburstingandsproutingoutinwonderfulexuberance，readytobelaidholdofbytheirgreedyhands。Andastheyhavebeengazinguponthisattractivepicturesolong，theycannot，inthelittledistractionthathastakenplaceintheparty，bringthemselvestogiveupthecharminghope；butwithgreedieranxietytheyrushabouthim，sustainhim，andgivehimmarches，triumphalentries，andreceptionsbeyondwhateveninthedaysofhishighestprosperitytheycouldhavebroughtaboutinhisfavor。Onthecontrary，nobodyhaseverexpectedmetobePresident。Inmypoor，lean，lankface，nobodyhaseverseenthatanycabbagesweresproutingout。Thesearedisadvantagesall，takentogether，thattheRepublicanslaborunder。Wehavetofightthisbattleuponprinciple，anduponprinciplealone。Iam，inacertainsense，madethestandard—bearerinbehalfoftheRepublicans。I

wasmadesomerelybecausetherehadtobesomeonesoplaced，——I

beinginnowisepreferabletoanyotheroneoftwenty—five，perhapsahundred，wehaveintheRepublicanranks。ThenIsayI

wishittobedistinctlyunderstoodandborneinmindthatwehavetofightthisbattlewithoutmany——perhapswithoutanyoftheexternalaidswhicharebroughttobearagainstus。SoI

hopethosewithwhomIamsurroundedhaveprincipleenoughtonervethemselvesforthetask，andleavenothingundonethatcanbefairlydonetobringabouttherightresult。

AfterSenatorDouglasleftWashington，ashismovementsweremadeknownbythepublicprints，hetarriedaconsiderabletimeinthecityofNewYork；anditwasheraldedthat，likeanotherNapoleon，hewaslyingbyandframingtheplanofhiscampaign。

ItwastelegraphedtoWashingtonCity，andpublishedintheUnion，thathewasframinghisplanforthepurposeofgoingtoIllinoistopounceuponandannihilatethetreasonableanddisunionspeechwhichLincolnhadmadehereonthe16thofJune。

Now，IdosupposethattheJudgereallyspentsometimeinNewYorkmaturingtheplanofthecampaign，ashisfriendsheraldedforhim。Ihavebeenable，bynotinghismovementssincehisarrivalinIllinois，todiscoverevidencesconfirmatoryofthatallegation。IthinkIhavebeenabletoseewhatarethematerialpointsofthatplan。Iwill，foralittlewhile，askyourattentiontosomeofthem。WhatIshallpointout，thoughnotshowingthewholeplan，are，nevertheless，themainpoints，asIsuppose。

Theyarenotverynumerous。Thefirstispopularsovereignty。

Thesecondandthirdareattacksuponmyspeechmadeonthe16thofJune。Outofthesethreepoints——drawingwithintherangeofpopularsovereigntythequestionoftheLecomptonConstitution——

hemakeshisprincipalassault。Uponthesehissuccessivespeechesaresubstantiallyoneandthesame。OnthismatterofpopularsovereigntyIwishtobealittlecareful。Auxiliarytothesemainpoints，tobesure，aretheirthunderingsofcannon，theirmarchingandmusic，theirfizzlegigsandfireworks；butI

willnotwastetimewiththem。Theyarebutthelittletrappingsofthecampaign。

Comingtothesubstance，——thefirstpoint，"popularsovereignty。"

Itistobelabeleduponthecarsinwhichhetravels；putuponthehacksheridesin；tobeflaunteduponthearcheshepassesunder，andthebannerswhichwaveoverhim。ItistobedishedupinasmanyvarietiesasaFrenchcookcanproducesoupsfrompotatoes。Now，asthisissogreatastapleoftheplanofthecampaign，itisworthwhiletoexamineitcarefully；andifweexamineonlyaverylittle，anddonotallowourselvestobemisled，weshallbeabletoseethatthewholethingisthemostarrantQuixotismthatwaseverenactedbeforeacommunity。Whatisthematterofpopularsovereignty？Thefirstthing，inordertounderstandit，istogetagooddefinitionofwhatitis，andafterthattoseehowitisapplied。

Isupposealmosteveryoneknowsthat，inthiscontroversy，whateverhasbeensaidhashadreferencetothequestionofnegroslavery。WehavenotbeeninacontroversyabouttherightofthepeopletogovernthemselvesintheordinarymattersofdomesticconcernintheStatesandTerritories。Mr。Buchanan，inoneofhislatemessages(IthinkwhenhesentuptheLecomptonConstitution)urgedthatthemainpointtowhichthepublicattentionhadbeendirectedwasnotinregardtothegreatvarietyofsmalldomesticmatters，butwasdirectedtothequestionofnegroslavery；andheassertsthatifthepeoplehadhadafairchancetovoteonthatquestiontherewasnoreasonablegroundofobjectioninregardtominorquestions。

Now，whileIthinkthatthepeoplehadnothadgiven，oroffered，themafairchanceuponthatslaveryquestion，still，iftherehadbeenafairsubmissiontoavoteuponthatmainquestion，thePresident’spropositionwouldhavebeentruetotheutmost。

Hence，whenhereafterIspeakofpopularsovereignty，IwishtobeunderstoodasapplyingwhatIsaytothequestionofslaveryonly，nottootherminordomesticmattersofaTerritoryoraState。

DoesJudgeDouglas，whenhesaysthatseveralofthepastyearsofhislifehavebeendevotedtothequestionof"popularsovereignty，"andthatalltheremainderofhislifeshallbedevotedtoit，doeshemeantosaythathehasbeendevotinghislifetosecuringtothepeopleoftheTerritoriestherighttoexcludeslaveryfromtheTerritories？Ifhemeanssotosayhemeanstodeceive；becauseheandeveryoneknowsthatthedecisionoftheSupremeCourt，whichheapprovesandmakesespecialgroundofattackuponmefordisapproving，forbidsthepeopleofaTerritorytoexcludeslavery。Thiscoversthewholeground，fromthesettlementofaTerritorytillitreachesthedegreeofmaturityentitlingittoformaStateConstitution。Sofarasallthatgroundisconcerned，theJudgeisnotsustainingpopularsovereignty，butabsolutelyopposingit。HesustainsthedecisionwhichdeclaresthatthepopularwilloftheTerritoryhasnoconstitutionalpowertoexcludeslaveryduringtheirterritorialexistence。Thisbeingso，theperiodoftimefromthefirstsettlementofaTerritorytillitreachesthepointofformingaStateConstitutionisnotthethingthattheJudgehasfoughtfororisfightingfor，but，onthecontrary，hehasfoughtfor，andisfightingfor，thethingthatannihilatesandcrushesoutthatsamepopularsovereignty。

Well，somuchbeingdisposedof，whatisleft？Why，heiscontendingfortherightofthepeople，whentheycometomakeaStateConstitution，tomakeitforthemselves，andpreciselyasbestsuitsthemselves。Isayagain，thatisquixotic。IdefycontradictionwhenIdeclarethattheJudgecanfindnoonetoopposehimonthatproposition。Irepeat，thereisnobodyopposingthatpropositiononprinciple。Letmenotbemisunderstood。Iknowthat，withreferencetotheLecomptonConstitution，Imaybemisunderstood；butwhenyouunderstandmecorrectly，mypropositionwillbetrueandaccurate。Nobodyisopposing，orhasopposed，therightofthepeople，whentheyformaconstitution，toformitforthemselves。Mr。Buchananandhisfriendshavenotdoneit；they，too，aswellastheRepublicansandtheAnti—LecomptonDemocrats，havenotdoneit；butonthecontrary，theytogetherhaveinsistedontherightofthepeopletoformaconstitutionforthemselves。ThedifferencebetweentheBuchananmenontheonehand，andtheDouglasmenandtheRepublicansontheother，hasnotbeenonaquestionofprinciple，butonaquestionoffact。

Thedisputewasuponthequestionoffact，whethertheLecomptonConstitutionhadbeenfairlyformedbythepeopleornot。Mr。

BuchananandhisfriendshavenotcontendedforthecontraryprincipleanymorethantheDouglasmenortheRepublicans。TheyhaveinsistedthatwhateverofsmallirregularitiesexistedingettinguptheLecomptonConstitutionweresuchashappeninthesettlementofallnewTerritories。Thequestionwas，Wasitafairemanationofthepeople？Itwasaquestionoffact，andnotofprinciple。Astotheprinciple，allwereagreed。JudgeDouglasvotedwiththeRepublicansuponthatmatteroffact。

Heandthey，bytheirvoicesandvotes，deniedthatitwasafairemanationofthepeople。TheAdministrationaffirmedthatitwas。Withrespecttotheevidencebearinguponthatquestionoffact，IreadilyagreethatJudgeDouglasandtheRepublicanshadtherightontheirside，andthattheAdministrationwaswrong。

ButIstateagainthat，asamatterofprinciple，thereisnodisputeupontherightofapeopleinaTerritory，mergingintoaState，toformaconstitutionforthemselveswithoutoutsideinterferencefromanyquarter。Thisbeingso，whatisJudgeDouglasgoingtospendhislifefor？Ishegoingtospendhislifeinmaintainingaprinciplethatnobodyonearthopposes？

Doesheexpecttostandupinmajesticdignity，andgothroughhisapotheosisandbecomeagodinthemaintainingofaprinciplewhichneithermannormouseinallGod’screationisopposing？

NowsomethinginregardtotheLecomptonConstitutionmorespecially；forIpassfromthisotherquestionofpopularsovereigntyasthemostarranthumbugthathaseverbeenattemptedonanintelligentcommunity。

AstotheLecomptonConstitution，Ihavealreadysaidthatonthequestionoffact，astowhetheritwasafairemanationofthepeopleornot，JudgeDouglas，withtheRepublicansandsomeAmericans，hadgreatlytheargumentagainsttheAdministration；

andwhileIrepeatthis，IwishtoknowwhatthereisintheoppositionofJudgeDouglastotheLecomptonConstitutionthatentitleshimtobeconsideredtheonlyopponenttoit，——asbeingparexcellencetheveryquintessenceofthatopposition。Iagreetotherightfulnessofhisopposition。HeintheSenateandhisclassofmenthereformedthenumberthreeandnomore。IntheHouseofRepresentativeshisclassofmen——theAnti—LecomptonDemocrats——formedanumberofabouttwenty。Ittookonehundredandtwentytodefeatthemeasure，againstonehundredandtwelve。

Ofthevotesofthatonehundredandtwenty，JudgeDouglas’sfriendsfurnishedtwenty，toaddtowhichthereweresixAmericansandninety—fourRepublicans。IdonotsaythatIampreciselyaccurateintheirnumbers，butIamsufficientlysoforanyuseIammakingofit。

Whyisitthattwentyshallbeentitledtoallthecreditofdoingthatwork，andthehundrednoneofit？Why，if，asJudgeDouglassays，thehonoristobedividedandduecreditistobegiventootherparties，whyisjustsomuchgivenasisconsonantwiththewishes，theinterests，andadvancementofthetwenty？

Myunderstandingis，whenacommonjobisdone，oracommonenterpriseprosecuted，ifIputinfivedollarstoyourone，I

havearighttotakeoutfivedollarstoyourone。Buthedoesnotsounderstandit。HedeclaresthedividendofcreditfordefeatingLecomptonuponabasiswhichseemsunprecedentedandincomprehensible。

Letussee。Lecomptonintherawwasdefeated。Itafterwardtookasortofcooked—upshape，andwaspassedintheEnglishbill。ItissaidbytheJudgethatthedefeatwasagoodandproperthing。Ifitwasagoodthing，whyisheentitledtomorecreditthanothersfortheperformanceofthatgoodact，unlesstherewassomethingintheantecedentsoftheRepublicansthatmightinduceeveryonetoexpectthemtojoininthatgoodwork，andatthesametimesomethingleadingthemtodoubtthathewould？Doesheplacehissuperiorclaimtocreditonthegroundthatheperformedagoodactwhichwasneverexpectedofhim？HesaysIhaveapronenessforquotingScripture。IfIshoulddosonow，itoccursthatperhapsheplaceshimselfsomewhatuponthegroundoftheparableofthelostsheepwhichwentastrayuponthemountains，andwhentheownerofthehundredsheepfoundtheonethatwaslost，andthrewituponhisshouldersandcamehomerejoicing，itwassaidthattherewasmorerejoicingovertheonesheepthatwaslostandhadbeenfoundthanovertheninetyandnineinthefold。TheapplicationismadebytheSaviourinthisparable，thus："Verily，Isayuntoyou，thereismorerejoicinginheavenoveronesinnerthatrepenteth，thanoverninetyandninejustpersonsthatneednorepentance。"

Andnow，iftheJudgeclaimsthebenefitofthisparable，lethimrepent。Lethimnotcomeuphereandsay："Iamtheonlyjustperson；andyouaretheninety—ninesinners！RepentancebeforeforgivenessisaprovisionoftheChristiansystem，andonthatconditionalonewilltheRepublicansgranthisforgiveness。

HowwillheprovethatwehaveeveroccupiedadifferentpositioninregardtotheLecomptonConstitutionoranyprincipleinit？

Hesayshedidnotmakehisoppositiononthegroundastowhetheritwasafreeorslaveconstitution，andhewouldhaveyouunderstandthattheRepublicansmadetheiroppositionbecauseitultimatelybecameaslaveconstitution。Tomakeproofinfavorofhimselfonthispoint，heremindsusthatheopposedLecomptonbeforethevotewastakendeclaringwhethertheStatewastobefreeorslave。ButheforgetstosaythatourRepublicanSenator，Trumbull，madeaspeechagainstLecomptonevenbeforehedid。

Whydidheopposeit？Partly，ashedeclares，becausethemembersoftheconventionwhoframeditwerenotfairlyelectedbythepeople；thatthepeoplewerenotallowedtovoteunlesstheyhadbeenregistered；andthatthepeopleofwholecounties，someinstances，werenotregistered。ForthesereasonshedeclarestheConstitutionwasnotanemanation，inanytruesense，fromthepeople。HealsohasanadditionalobjectionastothemodeofsubmittingtheConstitutionbacktothepeople。

Butbearingonthequestionofwhetherthedelegateswerefairlyelected，aspeechofhis，madesomethingmorethantwelvemonthsago，fromthisstand，becomesimportant。ItwasmadealittlewhilebeforetheelectionofthedelegateswhomadeLecompton。

Inthatspeechhedeclaredtherewaseveryreasontohopeandbelievetheelectionwouldbefair；andifanyonefailedtovote，itwouldbehisownculpablefault。

I，afewdaysafter，madeasortofanswertothatspeech。InthatanswerImade，substantially，theveryargumentwithwhichhecombatedhisLecomptonadversariesintheSenatelastwinter。

Ipointedtothefactsthatthepeoplecouldnotvotewithoutbeingregistered，andthatthetimeforregisteringhadgoneby。

IcommentedonitaswonderfulthatJudgeDouglascouldbeignorantofthesefactswhicheveryoneelseinthenationsowellknew。

InowpassfrompopularsovereigntyandLecompton。Imayhaveoccasiontorefertooneorboth。

Whenhewaspreparinghisplanofcampaign，Napoleon—like，inNewYork，asappearsbytwospeechesIhaveheardhimdeliversincehisarrivalinIllinois，hegavespecialattentiontoaspeechofmine，deliveredhereonthe16thofJunelast。Hesaysthathecarefullyreadthatspeech。HetoldusthatatChicagoaweekagolastnightandherepeateditatBloomingtonlastnight。

Doubtless，herepeateditagainto—day，thoughIdidnothearhim。Inthefirsttwoplaces——ChicagoandBloomingtonIheardhim；to—dayIdidnot。Hesaidhehadcarefullyexaminedthatspeech，——when，hedidnotsay；butthereisnoreasonabledoubtitwaswhenhewasinNewYorkpreparinghisplanofcampaign。I

amgladhedidreaditcarefully。Hesaysitwasevidentlypreparedwithgreatcare。Ifreelyadmititwaspreparedwithcare。Iclaimnottobemorefreefromerrorsthanothers，——

perhapsscarcelysomuch；butIwasverycarefulnottoputanythinginthatspeechasamatteroffact，ormakeanyinferences，whichdidnotappeartometobetrueandfullywarrantable。IfIhadmadeanymistake，Iwaswillingtobecorrected；ifIhaddrawnanyinferenceinregardtoJudgeDouglasoranyoneelsewhichwasnotwarranted，Iwasfullypreparedtomodifyitassoonasdiscovered。Iplantedmyselfuponthetruthandthetruthonly，sofarasIknewit，orcouldbebroughttoknowit。

HavingmadethatspeechwiththemostkindlyfeelingstowardJudgeDouglas，asmanifestedtherein，IwasgratifiedwhenI

foundthathehadcarefullyexaminedit，andhaddetectednoerroroffact，noranyinferenceagainsthim，noranymisrepresentationsofwhichhethoughtfittocomplain。InneitherofthetwospeechesIhavementioneddidhemakeanysuchcomplaint。Iwillthankanyonewhowillinformmethathe，inhisspeechto—day，pointedoutanythingIhadstatedrespectinghimasbeingerroneous。Ipresumethereisnosuchthing。I

havereasontobegratifiedthatthecareandcautionusedinthatspeechleftitsothathe，mostofallothersinterestedindiscoveringerror，hasnotbeenabletopointoutonethingagainsthimwhichhecouldsaywaswrong。Heseizesuponthedoctrineshesupposestobeincludedinthatspeech，anddeclaresthatuponthemwillturntheissuesofthiscampaign。Hethenquotes，orattemptstoquote，frommyspeech。Iwillnotsaythathewilfullymisquotes，buthedoesfailtoquoteaccurately。

HisattemptatquotingisfromapassagewhichIbelieveIcanquoteaccuratelyfrommemory。Ishallmakethequotationnow，withsomecommentsuponit，asIhavealreadysaid，inorderthattheJudgeshallbeleftentirelywithoutexcuseformisrepresentingme。Idosonow，asIhope，forthelasttime。

Idothisingreatcaution，inorderthatifherepeatshismisrepresentationitshallbeplaintoallthathedoessowilfully。If，afterall，hestillpersists，IshallbecompelledtoreconstructthecourseIhavemarkedoutformyself，anddrawuponsuchhumbleresources，asIhave，foranewcourse，bettersuitedtotherealexigenciesofthecase。Isetoutinthiscampaignwiththeintentionofconductingitstrictlyasagentleman，insubstanceatleast，ifnotintheoutsidepolish。

ThelatterIshallneverbe；butthatwhichconstitutestheinsideofagentlemanIhopeIunderstand，andamnotlessinclinedtopracticethanothers。Itwasmypurposeandexpectationthatthiscanvasswouldbeconducteduponprinciple，andwithfairnessonbothsides，anditshallnotbemyfaultifthispurposeandexpectationshallbegivenup。

Hecharges，insubstance，thatIinviteawarofsections；thatI

proposeallthelocalinstitutionsofthedifferentStatesshallbecomeconsolidatedanduniform。Whatisthereinthelanguageofthatspeechwhichexpressessuchpurposeorbearssuchconstruction？IhaveagainandagainsaidthatIwouldnotenterintoanyoftheStatestodisturbtheinstitutionofslavery。

JudgeDouglassaid，atBloomington，thatIusedlanguagemostableandingeniousforconcealingwhatIreallymeant；andthatwhileIhadprotestedagainstenteringintotheslaveStates，I

neverthelessdidmeantogoonthebanksoftheOhioandthrowmissilesintoKentucky，todisturbthemintheirdomesticinstitutions。

Isaidinthatspeech，andImeantnomore，thattheinstitutionofslaveryoughttobeplacedintheveryattitudewheretheframersofthisgovernmentplaceditandleftit。IdonotunderstandthattheframersofourConstitutionleftthepeopleofthefreeStatesintheattitudeoffiringbombsorshellsintotheslaveStates。IwasnotusingthatpassageforthepurposeforwhichheinfersIdiduseit。Isaid：

"Wearenowfaradvancedintothefifthyearsinceapolicywascreatedfortheavowedobjectandwiththeconfidentpromiseofputtinganendtoslaveryagitation。Undertheoperationofthatpolicythatagitationhasnotonlynotceased，buthasconstantlyaugmented。Inmyopinionitwillnotceasetillacrisisshallhavebeenreachedandpassed。’Ahousedividedagainstitselfcannotstand。’Ibelievethatthisgovernmentcannotendurepermanentlyhalfslaveandhalffree；itwillbecomeallonethingoralltheother。Eithertheopponentsofslaverywillarrestthefurtherspreadofit，andplaceitwherethepublicmindshallrestinthebeliefthatitisinthecourseofultimateextinction，oritsadvocateswillpushitforwardtillitshallbecomealikelawfulinalltheStates，oldaswellasnew，NorthaswellasSouth。"

Now，youallsee，fromthatquotation，Ididnotexpressmywishonanything。InthatpassageIindicatednowishorpurposeofmyown；Isimplyexpressedmyexpectation。CannottheJudgeperceiveadistinctionbetweenapurposeandanexpectation？I

haveoftenexpressedanexpectationtodie，butIhaveneverexpressedawishtodie。IsaidatChicago，andnowrepeat，thatIamquiteawarethisgovernmenthasendured，halfslaveandhalffree，foreighty—twoyears。Iunderstandthatlittlebitofhistory。IexpressedtheopinionIdidbecauseIperceived——orthoughtIperceived——anewsetofcausesintroduced。IdidsayatChicago，inmyspeechthere，thatIdowishtoseethespreadofslaveryarrested，andtoseeitplacedwherethepublicmindshallrestinthebeliefthatitisinthecourseofultimateextinction。IsaidthatbecauseIsupposed，whenthepublicmindshallrestinthatbelief，weshallhavepeaceontheslaveryquestion。Ihavebelieved——andnowbelieve——thepublicminddidrestonthatbeliefuptotheintroductionoftheNebraskaBill。

AlthoughIhaveeverbeenopposedtoslavery，sofarIrestedinthehopeandbeliefthatitwasinthecourseofultimateextinction。Forthatreasonithadbeenaminorquestionwithme。Imighthavebeenmistaken；butIhadbelieved，andnowbelieve，thatthewholepublicmind，thatis，themindofthegreatmajority，hadrestedinthatbeliefuptotherepealoftheMissouriCompromise。ButuponthateventIbecameconvincedthateitherIhadbeenrestinginadelusion，ortheinstitutionwasbeingplacedonanewbasis，abasisformakingitperpetual，national，anduniversal。Subsequenteventshavegreatlyconfirmedmeinthatbelief。Ibelievethatbilltobethebeginningofaconspiracyforthatpurpose。Sobelieving，Ihavesincethenconsideredthatquestionaparamountone。Sobelieving，IthoughtthepublicmindwillneverresttillthepowerofCongresstorestrictthespreadofitshallagainbeacknowledgedandexercisedontheonehandor，ontheother，allresistancebeentirelycrushedout。Ihaveexpressedthatopinion，andIentertainitto—night。ItisdeniedthatthereisanytendencytothenationalizationofslaveryintheseStates。

Mr。Brooks，ofSouthCarolina，inoneofhisspeeches，whentheywerepresentinghimcanes，silverplate，goldpitchers，andthelike，forassaultingSenatorSumner，distinctlyaffirmedhisopinionthatwhenthisConstitutionwasformeditwasthebeliefofnomanthatslaverywouldlasttothepresentday。Hesaid，whatIthink，thattheframersofourConstitutionplacedtheinstitutionofslaverywherethepublicmindrestedinthehopethatitwasinthecourseofultimateextinction。Buthewentontosaythatthemenofthepresentage，bytheirexperience，havebecomewiserthantheframersoftheConstitution，andtheinventionofthecottonginhadmadetheperpetuityofslaveryanecessityinthiscountry。

Asanotherpieceofevidencetendingtothissamepoint：QuiterecentlyinVirginia，aman——theownerofslaves——madeawillprovidingthatafterhisdeathcertainofhisslavesshouldhavetheirfreedomiftheyshouldsochoose，andgotoLiberia，ratherthanremaininslavery。Theychosetobeliberated。Butthepersonstowhomtheywoulddescendaspropertyclaimedthemasslaves。Asuitwasinstituted，whichfinallycametotheSupremeCourtofVirginia，andwasthereindecidedagainsttheslavesuponthegroundthatanegrocannotmakeachoice；thattheyhadnolegalpowertochoose，couldnotperformtheconditionuponwhichtheirfreedomdepended。

Idonotmentionthiswithanypurposeofcriticizingit，buttoconnectitwiththeargumentsasaffordingadditionalevidenceofthechangeofsentimentuponthisquestionofslaveryinthedirectionofmakingitperpetualandnational。IarguenowasI

didbefore，thatthereissuchatendency；andIambacked，notmerelybythefacts，butbytheopenconfessionintheslaveStates。

AndnowastotheJudge’sinferencethatbecauseIwishtoseeslaveryplacedinthecourseofultimateextinction，——placedwhereourfathersoriginallyplacedit，——IwishtoannihilatetheStateLegislatures，toforcecottontogrowuponthetopsoftheGreenMountains，tofreezeiceinFlorida，tocutlumberonthebroadIllinoisprairie，——thatIaminfavorofalltheseridiculousandimpossiblethings。

Itseemstomeitisacompleteanswertoallthistoaskif，whenCongressdidhavethefashionofrestrictingslaveryfromfreeterritory；whencourtsdidhavethefashionofdecidingthattakingaslaveintoafreecountrymadehimfree，——Isayitisasufficientanswertoaskifanyofthisridiculousnonsenseaboutconsolidationanduniformitydidactuallyfollow。WhoheardofanysuchthingbecauseoftheOrdinanceof’87？becauseoftheMissourirestriction？becauseofthenumerouscourtdecisionsofthatcharacter？

Now，astotheDredScottdecision；foruponthathemakeshislastpointatme。Heboldlytakesgroundinfavorofthatdecision。

Thisisonehalftheonslaught，andonethirdoftheentireplanofthecampaign。Iamopposedtothatdecisioninacertainsense，butnotinthesensewhichheputsit。IsaythatinsofarasitdecidedinfavorofDredScott’smaster，andagainstDredScottandhisfamily，Idonotproposetodisturborresistthedecision。

Ineverhaveproposedtodoanysuchthing。IthinkthatinrespectforjudicialauthoritymyhumblehistorywouldnotsufferincomparisonwiththatofJudgeDouglas。Hewouldhavethecitizenconformhisvotetothatdecision；thememberofCongress，his；thePresident，hisuseofthevetopower。Hewouldmakeitaruleofpoliticalactionforthepeopleandallthedepartmentsofthegovernment。Iwouldnot。Byresistingitasapoliticalrule，Idisturbnorightofproperty，createnodisorder，excitenomobs。

WhenhespokeatChicago，onFridayeveningoflastweek，hemadethissamepointuponme。OnSaturdayeveningIreplied，andremindedhimofaSupremeCourtdecisionwhichheopposedforatleastseveralyears。Lastnight，atBloomington，hetooksomenoticeofthatreply，butentirelyforgottorememberthatpartofit。

Herenewshisonslaughtuponme，forgettingtorememberthatI

haveturnedthetablesagainsthimselfonthatverypoint。I

renewtheefforttodrawhisattentiontoit。Iwishtostanderectbeforethecountry，aswellasJudgeDouglas，onthisquestionofjudicialauthority；andthereforeIaddsomethingtotheauthorityinfavorofmyownposition。IwishtoshowthatI

amsustainedbyauthority，inadditiontothatheretoforepresented。IdonotexpecttoconvincetheJudge。Itispartoftheplanofhiscampaign，andhewillclingtoitwithadesperategrip。Eventurnituponhim，——thesharppointagainsthim，andgaffhimthrough，——hewillstillclingtoittillhecaninventsomenewdodgetotaketheplaceofit。

Inpublicspeakingitistediousreadingfromdocuments；butI

mustbegtoindulgethepracticetoalimitedextent。IshallreadfromaletterwrittenbyMr。Jeffersonin1820，andnowtobefoundintheseventhvolumeofhiscorrespondence，atpage177。ItseemshehadbeenpresentedbyagentlemanofthenameofJarviswithabook，oressay，orperiodical，calledtheRepublican，andhewaswritinginacknowledgmentofthepresent，andnotingsomeofitscontents。Afterexpressingthehopethattheworkwillproduceafavorableeffectuponthemindsoftheyoung，heproceedstosay：

"Thatitwillhavethistendencymaybeexpected，andforthatreasonIfeelanurgencytonotewhatIdeemanerrorinit，themorerequiringnoticeasyouropinionisstrengthenedbythatofmanyothers。Youseem，inpages84and148，toconsiderthejudgesastheultimatearbitersofallconstitutionalquestions，—

—averydangerousdoctrineindeed，andonewhichwouldplaceusunderthedespotismofanoligarchy。Ourjudgesareashonestasothermen，andnotmoreso。Theyhave，withothers，thesamepassionsforparty，forpower，andtheprivilegeoftheircorps。

Theirmaximis，’Bonijudicisestampliarejurisdictionem’；andtheirpoweristhemoredangerousastheyareinofficeforlife，andnotresponsible，astheotherfunctionariesare，totheelectivecontrol。TheConstitutionhaserectednosuchsingletribunal，knowingthat，towhateverhandsconfided，withthecorruptionsoftimeandparty，itsmemberswouldbecomedespots。

Ithasmorewiselymadeallthedepartmentsco—equalandco—sovereignwiththemselves。"

ThusweseethepowerclaimedfortheSupremeCourtbyJudgeDouglas，Mr。Jeffersonholds，wouldreduceustothedespotismofanoligarchy。

Now，Ihavesaidnomorethanthis，——infact，neverquitesomuchasthis；atleastIamsustainedbyMr。Jefferson。

Letusgoalittlefurther。YourememberweoncehadaNationalBank。Someoneowedthebankadebt；hewassued，andsoughttoavoidpaymentonthegroundthatthebankwasunconstitutional。

ThecasewenttotheSupremeCourt，andthereinitwasdecidedthatthebankwasconstitutional。ThewholeDemocraticpartyrevoltedagainstthatdecision。GeneralJacksonhimselfassertedthathe，asPresident，wouldnotbeboundtoholdaNationalBanktobeconstitutional，eventhoughthecourthaddecidedittobeso。HefellinpreciselywiththeviewofMr。Jefferson，andacteduponitunderhisofficialoath，invetoingacharterforaNationalBank。ThedeclarationthatCongressdoesnotpossessthisconstitutionalpowertocharterabankhasgoneintotheDemocraticplatform，attheirNationalConventions，andwasbroughtforwardandreaffirmedintheirlastConventionatCincinnati。Theyhavecontendedforthatdeclaration，intheveryteethoftheSupremeCourt，formorethanaquarterofacentury。Infact，theyhavereducedthedecisiontoanabsolutenullity。Thatdecision，Irepeat，isrepudiatedintheCincinnatiplatform；andstill，asiftoshowthateffronterycangonofurther，JudgeDouglasvauntsintheveryspeechesinwhichhedenouncesmeforopposingtheDredScottdecisionthathestandsontheCincinnatiplatform。

Now，IwishtoknowwhattheJudgecanchargeuponme，withrespecttodecisionsoftheSupremeCourt，whichdoesnotlieinallitslength，breadth，andproportionsathisowndoor。Theplaintruthissimplythis：JudgeDouglasisforSupremeCourtdecisionswhenhelikesandagainstthemwhenhedoesnotlikethem。HeisfortheDredScottdecisionbecauseittendstonationalizeslavery；becauseitispartoftheoriginalcombinationforthatobject。Itsohappens，singularlyenough，thatIneverstoodopposedtoadecisionoftheSupremeCourttillthis，onthecontrary，Ihavenorecollectionthathewaseverparticularlyinfavorofonetillthis。Heneverwasinfavorofanynoropposedtoany，tillthepresentone，whichhelpstonationalizeslavery。

FreemenofSangamon，freemenofIllinois，freemeneverywhere，judgeyebetweenhimandmeuponthisissue。

HesaysthisDredScottcaseisaverysmallmatteratmost，——

thatithasnopracticaleffect；thatatbest，orrather，I

suppose，atworst，itisbutanabstraction。Isubmitthatthepropositionthatthethingwhichdetermineswhetheramanisfreeoraslaveisratherconcretethanabstract。Ithinkyouwouldconcludethatitwas，ifyourlibertydependeduponit，andsowouldJudgeDouglas，ifhislibertydependeduponit。ButsupposeitwasonthequestionofspreadingslaveryoverthenewTerritoriesthatheconsidersitasbeingmerelyanabstractmatter，andoneofnopracticalimportance。Howhastheplantingofslaveryinnewcountriesalwaysbeeneffected？IthasnowbeendecidedthatslaverycannotbekeptoutofournewTerritoriesbyanylegalmeans。InwhatdoournewTerritoriesnowdifferinthisrespectfromtheoldColonieswhenslaverywasfirstplantedwithinthem？Itwasplanted，asMr。Clayoncedeclared，andashistoryprovestrue，byindividualmen，inspiteofthewishesofthepeople；theMotherGovernmentrefusingtoprohibitit，andwithholdingfromthepeopleoftheColoniestheauthoritytoprohibititforthemselves。Mr。ClaysaysthiswasoneofthegreatandjustcausesofcomplaintagainstGreatBritainbytheColonies，andthebestapologywecannowmakeforhavingtheinstitutionamongstus。InthatpreciseconditionourNebraskapoliticianshaveatlastsucceededinplacingourownnewTerritories；thegovernmentwillnotprohibitslaverywithinthem，norallowthepeopletoprohibitit。

IdefyanymantofindanydifferencebetweenthepolicywhichoriginallyplantedslaveryintheseColoniesandthatpolicywhichnowprevailsinournewTerritories。Ifitdoesnotgointothem，itisonlybecausenoindividualwishesittogo。TheJudgeindulgedhimselfdoubtlessto—daywiththequestionastowhatIamgoingtodowithorabouttheDredScottdecision。

Well，Judge，willyoupleasetellmewhatyoudidaboutthebankdecision？WillyounotgraciouslyallowustodowiththeDredScottdecisionpreciselyasyoudidwiththebankdecision？Yousucceededinbreakingdownthemoraleffectofthatdecision：didyoufinditnecessarytoamendtheConstitution，ortosetupacourtofnegroesinordertodoit？

Thereisoneotherpoint。JudgeDouglashasaveryaffectionateleaningtowardtheAmericansandOldWhigs。Lastevening，inasortofweepingtone，hedescribedtousadeath—bedscene。HehadbeencalledtothesideofMr。Clay，inhislastmoments，inorderthatthegeniusof"popularsovereignty"mightdulydescendfromthedyingmanandsettleuponhim，thelivingandmostworthysuccessor。Hecoulddonolessthanpromisethathewoulddevotetheremainderofhislifeto"popularsovereignty"；andthenthegreatstatesmandepartsinpeace。Bythispartofthe"planofthecampaign"theJudgehasevidentlypromisedhimselfthattearsshallbedrawndownthecheeksofallOldWhigs，aslargeashalf—grownapples。

Mr。Webster，too，wasmentioned；butitdidnotquitecometoadeath—bedsceneastohim。Itwouldbeamusing，ifitwerenotdisgusting，toseehowquickthesecompromise—breakersadministeronthepoliticaleffectsoftheirdeadadversaries，trumpingupclaimsneverbeforeheardof，anddividingtheassetsamongthemselves。IfIshouldbefounddeadto—morrowmorning，nothingbutmyinsignificancecouldpreventaspeechbeingmadeonmyauthority，beforetheendofnextweek。Itsohappensthatinthat"popularsovereignty"withwhichMr。Claywasidentified，theMissouriCompromisewasexpresslyreversed；anditwasalittlesingularifMr。ClaycasthismantleuponJudgeDouglasonpurposetohavethatcompromiserepealed。

Again，theJudgedidnotkeepfaithwithMr。ClaywhenhefirstbroughtinhisNebraskaBill。HelefttheMissouriCompromiseunrepealed，andinhisreportaccompanyingthebillhetoldtheworldhediditonpurpose。ThemanesofMr。Claymusthavebeeningreatagonytillthirtydayslater，when"popularsovereignty"

stoodforthinallitsglory。

Onemorething。LastnightJudgeDouglastormentedhimselfwithhorrorsaboutmydispositiontomakenegroesperfectlyequalwithwhitemeninsocialandpoliticalrelations。HedidnotstoptoshowthatIhavesaidanysuchthing，orthatitlegitimatelyfollowsfromanythingIhavesaid，butherushesonwithhisassertions。IadheretotheDeclarationofIndependence。IfJudgeDouglasandhisfriendsarenotwillingtostandbyit，letthemcomeupandamendit。Letthemmakeitreadthatallmenarecreatedequalexceptnegroes。LetushaveitdecidedwhethertheDeclarationofIndependence，inthisblessedyearof1858，shallbethusamended。InhisconstructionoftheDeclarationlastyear，hesaiditonlymeantthatAmericansinAmericawereequaltoEnglishmeninEngland。Then，whenIpointedouttohimthatbythatruleheexcludestheGermans，theIrish，thePortuguese，andalltheotherpeoplewhohavecomeamongussincetherevolution，hereconstructshisconstruction。InhislastspeechhetellsusitmeantEuropeans。

Ipresshimalittlefurther，andaskifitmeanttoincludetheRussiansinAsia；ordoeshemeantoexcludethatvastpopulationfromtheprinciplesofourDeclarationofIndependence？Iexpecterelonghewillintroduceanotheramendmenttohisdefinition。

Heisnotatallparticular。Heissatisfiedwithanythingwhichdoesnotendangerthenationalizingofnegroslavery。Itmaydrawwhitemendown，butitmustnotliftnegroesup。

Whoshallsay，"Iamthesuperior，andyouaretheinferior"？

Mydeclarationsuponthissubjectofnegroslaverymaybemisrepresented，butcannotbemisunderstood。IhavesaidthatI

donotunderstandtheDeclarationtomeanthatallmenwerecreatedequalinallrespects。Theyarenotourequalincolor；

butIsupposethatitdoesmeantodeclarethatallmenareequalinsomerespects；theyareequalintheirrightto"life，liberty，andthepursuitofhappiness。"Certainlythenegroisnotourequalincolor，perhapsnotinmanyotherrespects；

still，intherighttoputintohismouththebreadthathisownhandshaveearned，heistheequalofeveryotherman，whiteorblack。Inpointingoutthatmorehasbeengivenyou，youcannotbejustifiedintakingawaythelittlewhichhasbeengivenhim。

AllIaskforthenegroisthatifyoudonotlikehim，lethimalone。IfGodgavehimbutlittle，thatlittlelethimenjoy。

Whenourgovernmentwasestablishedwehadtheinstitutionofslaveryamongus。Wewereinacertainsensecompelledtotolerateitsexistence。Itwasasortofnecessity。Wehadgonethroughourstruggleandsecuredourownindependence。TheframersoftheConstitutionfoundtheinstitutionofslaveryamongsttheirowninstitutionsatthetime。Theyfoundthatbyanefforttoeradicateittheymightlosemuchofwhattheyhadalreadygained。Theywereobligedtobowtothenecessity。TheygavepowertoCongresstoabolishtheslavetradeattheendoftwentyyears。TheyalsoprohibiteditintheTerritorieswhereitdidnotexist。Theydidwhattheycould，andyieldedtothenecessityfortherest。Ialsoyieldtoallwhichfollowsfromthatnecessity。WhatIwouldmostdesirewouldbetheseparationofthewhiteandblackraces。

OnemorepointonthisSpringfieldspeechwhichJudgeDouglassayshehasreadsocarefully。Iexpressedmybeliefintheexistenceofaconspiracytoperpetuateandnationalizeslavery。

Ididnotprofesstoknowit，nordoInow。IshowedthepartJudgeDouglashadplayedinthestringoffactsconstitutingtomymindtheproofofthatconspiracy。Ishowedthepartsplayedbyothers。

IchargedthatthepeoplehadbeendeceivedintocarryingthelastPresidentialelection，bytheimpressionthatthepeopleoftheTerritoriesmightexcludeslaveryiftheychose，whenitwasknowninadvancebytheconspiratorsthatthecourtwastodecidethatneitherCongressnorthepeoplecouldsoexcludeslavery。

Thesechargesaremoredistinctlymadethananythingelseinthespeech。

JudgeDouglashascarefullyreadandrereadthatspeech。Hehasnot，sofarasIknow，contradictedthosecharges。InthetwospeecheswhichIheardhecertainlydidnot。Onthisowntacitadmission，Irenewthatcharge。Ichargehimwithhavingbeenapartytothatconspiracyandtothatdeceptionforthesolepurposeofnationalizingslavery。

CORRESPONDENCEBETWEENLINCOLNANDDOUGLAS

[ThefollowingisthecorrespondencebetweenthetworivalcandidatesfortheUnitedStatesSenate]

MR。LINCOLNTOMR。DOUGLAS。

CHICAGO，ILL。，July24，1558。

HON。S。A。DOUGLAS：

MydearSir，——Willitbeagreeabletoyoutomakeanarrangementforyouandmyselftodividetime，andaddressthesameaudiencesthepresentcanvass？Mr。Judd，whowillhandyouthis，isauthorizedtoreceiveyouranswer；and，ifagreeabletoyou，toenterintothetermsofsucharrangement。

Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。

Mr。DOUGLASTOMr。LINCOLN。

BEMENT，PIATTCo。，ILL。，July30，1858。

DearSir，——Yourletterdatedyesterday，acceptingmypropositionforajointdiscussionatoneprominentpointineachCongressionalDistrict，asstatedinmypreviousletter，wasreceivedthismorning。

Thetimesandplacesdesignatedareasfollows：

Ottawa，LaSalleCountyAugust21st，1858。

Freeport，StephensonCounty"27th，Jonesboro，UnionCounty，September15th，Charleston，ColesCounty"18th，Galesburgh，KnoxCountyOctober7th，Quincy，AdamsCounty"13th，Alton，MadisonCounty"15th，Iagreetoyoursuggestionthatweshallalternatelyopenandclosethediscussion。IwillspeakatOttawaonehour，youcanreply，occupyinganhourandahalf，andIwillthenfollowforhalfanhour。AtFreeport，youshallopenthediscussionandspeakonehour；Iwillfollowforanhourandahalf，andyoucanthenreplyforhalfanhour。Wewillalternateinlikemannerineachsuccessiveplace。

Veryrespectfully，yourobedientservant，S。A。DOUGLAS。

Mr。LINCOLNTOMr。DOUGLAS。

SPRINGFIELD，July31，1858。

HON。S。A。DOUGLAS：

DearSir，——Yoursofyesterday，namingplaces，times，andtermsforjointdiscussionsbetweenus，wasreceivedthismorning。

Although，bytheterms，asyoupropose，youtakefouropeningsandcloses，tomythree，Iaccede，andthusclosethearrangement。IdirectthistoyouatHillsborough，andshalltrytohavebothyourletterandthisappearintheJournalandRegisterofMondaymorning。

Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。

FIRSTJOINTDEBATE，ATOTTAWA，AUGUST21，1858

Mr。LINCOLN’SREPLY

MYFELLOW—CITIZENS：——Whenamanhearshimselfsomewhatmisrepresented，itprovokeshim，atleast，Ifinditsowithmyself；butwhenmisrepresentationbecomesverygrossandpalpable，itismoreapttoamusehim。ThefirstthingIseefittonoticeisthefactthatJudgeDouglasalleges，afterrunningthroughthehistoryoftheoldDemocraticandtheoldWhigparties，thatJudgeTrumbullandmyselfmadeanarrangementin1854，bywhichIwastohavetheplaceofGeneralShieldsintheUnitedStatesSenate，andJudgeTrumbullwastohavetheplaceofJudgeDouglas。Now，allIhavetosayuponthatsubjectisthatIthinknomannotevenJudgeDouglascanproveit，becauseitisnottrue。Ihavenodoubtheis"conscientious"insayingit。

Astothoseresolutionsthathetooksuchalengthoftimetoread，asbeingtheplatformoftheRepublicanpartyin1854，I

sayIneverhadanythingtodowiththem，andIthinkTrumbullneverhad。JudgeDouglascannotshowthateitherofuseverdidhaveanythingtodowiththem。

Ibelievethisistrueaboutthoseresolutions：TherewasacallforaconventiontoformaRepublicanpartyatSpringfield，andI

thinkthatmyfriendMr。Lovejoy，whoishereuponthisstand，hadahandinit。Ithinkthisistrue，andIthinkifhewillrememberaccuratelyhewillbeabletorecollectthathetriedtogetmeintoit，andIwouldnotgoin。IbelieveitisalsotruethatIwentawayfromSpringfieldwhentheconventionwasinsession，toattendcourtinTazewellcounty。Itistruetheydidplacemyname，thoughwithoutauthority，uponthecommittee，andafterwardwrotemetoattendthemeetingofthecommittee；butI

refusedtodoso，andIneverhadanythingtodowiththatorganization。Thisistheplaintruthaboutallthatmatteroftheresolutions。

Now，aboutthisstorythatJudgeDouglastellsofTrumbullbargainingtosellouttheoldDemocraticparty，andLincolnagreeingtosellouttheoldWhigparty，Ihavethemeansofknowingaboutthat：JudgeDouglascannothave；andIknowthereisnosubstancetoitwhatever。YetIhavenodoubtheis"conscientious"aboutit。IknowthatafterMr。LovejoygotintotheLegislaturethatwinter，hecomplainedofmethatIhadtoldalltheoldWhigsofhisdistrictthattheoldWhigpartywasgoodenoughforthem，andsomeofthemvotedagainsthimbecauseItoldthemso。Now，IhavenomeansoftotallydisprovingsuchchargesasthiswhichtheJudgemakes。Amancannotproveanegative；buthehasarighttoclaimthatwhenamanmakesanaffirmativecharge，hemustoffersomeprooftoshowthetruthofwhathesays。Icertainlycannotintroducetestimonytoshowthenegativeaboutthings，butIhavearighttoclaimthatifamansaysheknowsathing，thenhemustshowhowheknowsit。I

alwayshavearighttoclaimthis，anditisnotsatisfactorytomethathemaybe"conscientious"onthesubject。

Now，gentlemen，Ihatetowastemytimeonsuchthings；butinregardtothatgeneralAbolitiontiltthatJudgeDouglasmakes，whenhesaysthatIwasengagedatthattimeinsellingoutandAbolitionizingtheoldWhigparty，IhopeyouwillpermitmetoreadapartofaprintedspeechthatImadethenatPeoria，whichwillshowaltogetheradifferentviewofthepositionItookinthatcontestof1854。

[Voice："Putonyourspecs。"]

Mr。LINCOLN：Yes，sir，Iamobligedtodoso；Iamnolongerayoungman。

"ThisistherepealoftheMissouriCompromise。Theforegoinghistorymaynotbepreciselyaccurateineveryparticular，butI

amsureitissufficientlysoforalltheusesIshallattempttomakeofit，andinitwehavebeforeusthechiefmaterialsenablingustocorrectlyjudgewhethertherepealoftheMissouriCompromiseisrightorwrong。

"Ithink，andshalltrytoshow，thatitiswrong——wronginitsdirecteffect，lettingslaveryintoKansasandNebraska，andwronginitsprospectiveprinciple，allowingittospreadtoeveryotherpartofthewideworldwheremencanbefoundinclinedtotakeit。

"Thisdeclaredindifference，but，asImustthink，covertrealzealforthespreadofslavery，Icannotbuthate。Ihateitbecauseofthemonstrousinjusticeofslaveryitself。Ihateitbecauseitdeprivesourrepublicanexampleofitsjustinfluenceintheworld，——enablestheenemiesoffreeinstitutions，withplausibility，totauntusashypocrites；causestherealfriendsoffreedomtodoubtoursincerity，andespeciallybecauseitforcessomanyreallygoodmenamongstourselvesintoanopenwarwiththeveryfundamentalprinciplesofcivilliberty，criticizingtheDeclarationofIndependence，andinsistingthatthereisnorightprincipleofactionbutself—interest。

"Beforeproceeding，letmesayIthinkIhavenoprejudiceagainsttheSouthernpeople。Theyarejustwhatwewouldbeintheirsituation。Ifslaverydidnotnowexistamongthem，theywouldnotintroduceit。Ifitdidnowexistamongus，weshouldnotinstantlygiveitup。ThisIbelieveofthemassesnorthandsouth。Doubtlessthereareindividualsonbothsideswhowouldnotholdslavesunderanycircumstances；andotherswhowouldgladlyintroduceslaveryanew，ifitwereoutofexistence。WeknowthatsomeSouthernmendofreetheirslaves，gonorth，andbecometip—topAbolitionists；whilesomeNorthernonesgosouthandbecomemostcruelslave—masters。

"WhenSouthernpeopletellustheyarenomoreresponsiblefortheoriginofslaverythanwe，Iacknowledgethefact。Whenitissaidthattheinstitutionexists，andthatitisverydifficulttogetridofit，inanysatisfactoryway，Icanunderstandandappreciatethesaying。IwillnotblamethemfornotdoingwhatIshouldnotknowhowtodomyself。Ifallearthlypowerweregivenme，Ishouldnotknowwhattodo，astotheexistinginstitution。MyfirstimpulsewouldbetofreealltheslavesandsendthemtoLiberia，——totheirownnativeland。

Butamoment’sreflectionwouldconvincemethatwhateverofhighhope(asIthinkthereis)theremaybeinthisinthelongterm，itssuddenexecutionisimpossible。Iftheywerealllandedthereinaday，theywouldallperishinthenexttendays；andtherearenotsurp1usshippingandsurplusmoneyenoughintheworldtocarrythemthereinmanytimestendays。Whatthen？

Freethemallandkeepthemamongusasunderlings？Isitquitecertainthatthisbetterstheircondition？IthinkIwouldnotholdoneinslavery，atanyrate；yetthepointisnotclearenoughtometodenouncepeopleupon。Whatnext？Freethem，andmakethempoliticallyandsociallyourequals？Myownfeelingswillnotadmitofthis；andifminewould，wewellknowthatthoseofthegreatmassofwhitepeoplewillnot。Whetherthisfeelingaccordswithjusticeandsoundjudgment，isnotthesolequestion，if，indeed，itisanypartofit。Auniversalfeeling，whetherwellorillfounded，cannotbesafelydisregarded。Wecannot，then，makethemequals。Itdoesseemtomethatsystemsofgradualemancipationmightbeadopted；butfortheirtardinessinthisIwillnotundertaketojudgeourbrethrenoftheSouth。

"Whentheyremindusoftheirconstitutionalrights，I

acknowledgethem，notgrudgingly，butfullyandfairly；andI

wouldgivethemanylegislationforthereclaimingoftheirfugitives，whichshouldnot，initsstringency，bemorelikelytocarryafreemanintoslaverythanOurordinarycriminallawsaretohanganinnocentone。