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Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglas
Complete texts for all 7 debates between the incumbent Democratic senator from Illinois and the 1858 nominee of the infant Republican party. Paving the way for modern debates between political candidates, the events brought Lincoln (who lost the election) to national prominence and helped propel him to the presidency in 1860.
Hardcover, 280 pages
Published
January 1st 2001
by University of Michigan Library
(first published 1899)
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Just wow. I have been familiar with the fact of the Lincoln-Douglas debates for as long as I can remember. In high school, I spent three years participating in the forensic event called “Lincoln-Douglas Debate.” I knew that Lincoln and Douglas argued with each other a lot when they were both running for the Illinois Senate in 1858. But until I read them for myself—as research for a book that I am writing about effective strategies for civil political discourse—I had no idea what a true treasure...more
These debates boil down to the issue of slavery in federal territories. Douglas maintains that whether or not a territory should have slavery ought to be a question for the settlers of the territory (“popular sovereignty”), on the ground that each state is permitted to settle the question for itself, and that a territory should be treated the same way. Lincoln maintains that slavery should be excluded from federal territory on the ground that it is morally wrong, and left alone in states where i...more
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We often judge historical figures by today's moral standards, which is a tremendous miscarriage of judgment. Lincoln was very forward-thinking for his time. He abhorred slavery. However, he viewed it as something protected by the Constitution. When he was elected, he had no intention of abolishing slavery; he was not an abolitionist. He would have gladly guaranteed that slavery be protected in perpetuity in the current states where it existed if he could be guaranteed that it would not spread to...more
7 debates that highlighted 1858 senatorial race. Noble arguments over human bondage and proper roles of government from both men, full text of debates, Douglas use of black republican party, best is 7th, garbled words are meant to allow some point to stand, Douglas dems meant to allow slavery to continue in new territories, Founders intent to leave slavery as found and allow to end, Lincoln advocated Founder policy and Douglas dems attempted to change, dems suggest war may happen and Lincoln ref...more
I never would have imagined a series of debates for Illinois senator that are over 150 years old would be as completely enthralling as these are. Richard Dreyfuss and David Straithairn do a great reading. I am not a history buff, so I did not know the background of the Lecompton constitution, Nebraska bill, Douglas and Buchanan's conflicted relationship, and the Dred Scott decision. But this didn't keep me from thoroughly enjoying these great debates. In the book's introduction Allen Guelzo made...more
This is an audio book. It is very well read by the narrators, one of whom is Richard Dreyfus.
This rendition is quite revealing historically. I believe Lincoln came out not quite the hero we thought, and that Stephen Douglas not quite the bad guy as our teachers portrayed him.
The difficulty truly is that each man was playing to the audience, and a modern listener is not going to get the nuance of these debates such that we would understand how each man truly felt.
But the narration is so good and...more
This rendition is quite revealing historically. I believe Lincoln came out not quite the hero we thought, and that Stephen Douglas not quite the bad guy as our teachers portrayed him.
The difficulty truly is that each man was playing to the audience, and a modern listener is not going to get the nuance of these debates such that we would understand how each man truly felt.
But the narration is so good and...more
Jun 25, 2009
David Bales
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
52-books-in-52-weeks
This book is a verbatim transcript of the 14 debates that Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas had during the hot summer and early fall of 1858. Douglas, the Democrat, tries to paint Lincoln as a "Black Republican" abolitionist, while Lincoln denies this but steadfastly holds true to his conviction that slavery must not be extended to the territories, (while conceding that the government cannot alter slavery where it already existed). These debates took place in a country that was on the...more
1 like · like · see review
Nov 13, 2008
Tony duncan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
us history buff
Recommended to Tony by:
serendipity
What a wonderful discovery.
Although this was a file that I got from the LA theatre works (http://www.latw.org/). it is no longer available but I saved the streaming audio.
This is such an insight into lincoln that I bought The team of Rivals, and am almost finished with that as well.
This production stars David Straithairn as Lincoln, and Paul Giamatti as Stephens. So much of these debates seem relevant to our situation now, and i kept being astonished at the ways that Lincoln and Obama are simil...more
Although this was a file that I got from the LA theatre works (http://www.latw.org/). it is no longer available but I saved the streaming audio.
This is such an insight into lincoln that I bought The team of Rivals, and am almost finished with that as well.
This production stars David Straithairn as Lincoln, and Paul Giamatti as Stephens. So much of these debates seem relevant to our situation now, and i kept being astonished at the ways that Lincoln and Obama are simil...more
This audio version was quite enjoyable. I learned quite a bit about the issues of the time just by being immersed in the time. I was introduced to such things as "popular sovereignty" and the issue of slavery in a way I never caught in history class. One thing is for sure, politics are politics whatever the era!
Although the issues and ideas were dealt with in much greater depth than one would find in modern political debate, there was still a liberal amount of mudslinging by both men.
I really wanted to enjoy this book. This version is the complete unedited (or at least as close as possible) version of what both Lincoln and Douglas said. I expected the Gettysburg Address, instead, most of time was taken up attacking the opponent in a manner that modern-day politicians are all-too familiar with.
There is nothing like the fun of reading primary sources.
Mr. Lincoln: Ladies and Gentlemen:
A Voice: --There are no ladies here.
Mr. Lincoln:--You are mistaken about that. There is a fine chance of them back here. [Laughter.]
Mr. Lincoln: Ladies and Gentlemen:
A Voice: --There are no ladies here.
Mr. Lincoln:--You are mistaken about that. There is a fine chance of them back here. [Laughter.]
Jun 07, 2013
Ellee
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
400-500pgs,
non-fiction-megalist
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Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1861 until his assassination. As an outspoken opponent of the expansion of slavery in the United States, Lincoln won the Republican Party nomination in 1860 and was elected president later that year. During his term, he helped preserve the United States by leading the defeat of the secessionist Confederate Stat...more
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“It is the eternal struggle between these two principles — right and wrong — throughout the world. They are the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time; and will ever continue to struggle. The one is the common right of humanity, and the other the divine right of kings. It is the same principle in whatever shape it develops itself. It is the same spirit that says, "You toil and work and earn bread, and I'll eat it." No matter in what shape it comes, whether from the mouth of a king who seeks to bestride the people of his own nation and live by the fruit of their labor, or from one race of men as an apology for enslaving another race, it is the same tyrannical principle.”
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