Lincoln-Douglas Debate

In 1848 the focus of the nation was on Stephen Dougls' campaign for reelection as senator from Illinois. Challenging him for the Senate seat was a successful trial lawyer and former member of the Illinois Legislator, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln challenged Douglas to a series of joint debates. The most famous debate was at Freeport, Illinois where Lincoln confronted Douglas with the horns of a dilema. Lincoln said that suppose the people voted down slavery, who would prevail?, the court or the people?Lincoln argued that according to the Dred Scott decision the people did not have a say. Douglas responded that if the people voted slavery down it did not matter what the Supreme Court ruled. In the end Douglas won reelection but lost ground with the Southern Democrats.