The Debates Between Douglas and Lincoln

THE DEBATES BETWEEN DOUGLAS AND LINCOLN

We learn from the Cincinnati Enquirer, that FOLLET & Co., of Columbus, Ohio, have issued in book form the debates between Senator Douglas and Abram Lincoln, in the celebrated Illinois campaign for the Senate in 1858.  Though gotten out by the friends of Mr. Lincoln, it appears to be, in the main, a fair compilation - Mr. Douglas' speeches being given as they were reported by his reporter, who accompanied him.  These debates are among the ablest and keenest efforts in the department of political oratory that can be found in our annals.  The question of slavery was subjected to a sharper analysis, and was more clearly presented by the respective champions, than had ever before been given it from the stump.

Mr. Lincoln is a fluent and able speaker, and is the best, in some respects, which the Republicans have.  He is the best for his side of the case, and, although beaten in argument and vanquished at the polis, his party felt that it was not his fault.

As a public debator Senator Douglas has not his equal in the United States, and when he is on the right side of a question, as he was in the Illinois campaign, he is invincible.  He perfectly annihilated poor Lincoln, as all will see that peruse these debates.  His victory was the most remarkable ever won in the United States.  He started out with twenty-nine thousand against him, according to the vote of 1856.  He was further weakened by the ballot of the Federal office-holder, who drew off five thousands Democratic votes on a third ticket.  Fighting against the Republicans on the one hand, and the power of the National Administration on the other, he gloriously triumphed.  He struck right and left with a vigor and energy that crushed the allied forces opposed to him.  At the close of the context he was re-elected to the United States Senate, and the Democratic party.  Instead of being in a minority of twenty-nine thousand as in 1856, had three thousand more votes than their opponents.  The State was completely revolutionized.