Stephen Douglas meets with Lincoln at the White House and pledges his support

Using George Ashmun, who knew both men, as a go-between, Abraham Lincoln met with Democratic leader Stephen Douglas in the evening at the White House to discuss the probable upcoming clash of arms with the South.  Douglas, who Lincoln defeated in the recent election of 1860, pledged his personal and political support to any measure to save the Union.  His voice was vital in the coming weeks to rally Democrats.  (By John Osborne)