CHAPTER XI THE ALTON DEBATE [St. Louis Evening News, October 14, 1858] DOUGLAS AND LINCOLN AT ALTON Douglas and Lincoln will speak at Alton to-morrow at ten o'clock. To enable persons in St. Louis to attend, the Baltimore will leave the levee at 7 o'clock, A. M., and return in the evening. Also, the White Cloud will start from the Union Line wharf-boat at half past 8 A. M. for Alton, and return in the evening. These are excellent chances offered our citizens to attend the great speaking match. [Missouri Republican, St. Louis, October 15, 1858] AT ALTON TO-DAY, FRIDAY, 15TH The Fine Passenger Steamer "WHITE CLOUD" Will leave the Union Railroad Line wharf-boat, foot of Olive street, at half past 9 o'clock, returning in the evening, after the speaking. Fare for round trip $1. Come one, come all. [Illinois State Register, October 14, 1858] THE ALTON DEBATE All democrats intending to go to Alton tomorrow to attend the discussion, will please report themselves at the rooms of Gen. Curran by 10 o'clock this morning, for the purpose of entering into certain arrangements for the excursion. The military and music will be on hand. The railroad company will carry passengers at half fare. The train will leave at 6.30 to-morrow morning. [Illinois State Journal, October 14, 1858] EXCURSION TO ALTON.-In accordance with our suggestion, the Chicago and Alton Railroad Company has consented to issue excursion tickets at half fare for all who desire to visit Alton tomorrow to witness the last great debate of the season between Lincoln and Douglas This is a fine opportunity for such as desire to be present, and we hope there will be a large turn-out. All persons who design going on this excursion are requested to leave word at the JOURNAL OFFICE, or Gen. Curran, in order that sufficient cars may be provided. It is expected that a band of music and one of the military companies will go with the party from this city. [Missouri Republican, St. Louis, October 15, 1858] THE DEBATE AT ALTON To-day comes off the debate between Douglas and Lincoln, at Alton, which is the last of the joint discussions between the two. It is expected that there will be a great attendance. The applications for special trains on the railroads, by persons desirous of being present on the occasion, show the general interest which is felt in this meeting. [Illinois State Journal, October 16, 1858] FOR ALTON.-A delegation of our citizens including the "Springfield Cadets," and "Merritt's Cadet Band" visited Alton on yesterday to hear the last debate between Lincoln and Douglas. The "Little Dodger" thanks his stars that these joint debates are ended at last. [Chicago Press and Tribune, October 15, 1858] THE LAST OF THE SERIES The last of the seven discussions between Lincoln and Douglas, into which the latter was forced by his friends much against his own inclination and judgment, takes place today at Alton. It is entirely safe to predict, whatever may be the future political relations of the two men, that Douglas will never again dare to break the lance with Lincoln. He has had enough of that to satisfy him the remainder of his natural life. THE ALTON DEBATE Alton, October 15, 1858 Senator Douglas's Speech Long and loud bursts of applause greeted Senator Douglas, when he appeared on the stand. As he was about to commence speaking, he was interrupted by Dr. Hope, one of the Danite faction. CORNER OF CITY HALL, ALTON, ILLINOIS The platform from which Lincoln and Douglas spoke was erected in front of the first floor window Dr. Hope.-Judge, before you commence speaking, allow me to ask you a question. Senator Douglas.-If you will not occupy too much of my time. Senator Douglas.—What is your question? Dr. Hope. Do you believe that the Territorial legislatures ought to pass laws to protect slavery in the territories? Senator Douglas.-You will get an answer in the course of my remarks. [Applause.] Ladies and Gentlemen: It is now nearly four months since the canvass between Mr. Lincoln and myself commenced. On the 16th of June the Republican Convention assembled at Springfield and nominated Mr. Lincoln as their candidate for the United States Senate, and he, on that occasion, delivered a speech in which he laid down what he understood to be the Republican creed, and the platform on which he proposed to stand during the contest. The principal points in that speech of Mr. Lincoln's were: First, that this Government could not endure permanently divided into Free and Slave States, as our fathers made it; that they must all become Free or all become Slave; all become one thing, or all become the other, -otherwise this Union could not continue to exist. I give you his opinions almost in the identical language he used. His second proposition was a crusade against the Supreme Court of the United States because of the Dred Scott decision, urging as an especial reason for his opposition to that decision that it deprived the negroes of the rights and benefits of that clause in the Constitution of the United States which guarantees to the citizens of each State all the rights, privileges, and immunities of the citizens of the several States. On the 10th of July I returned home, and delivered a speech to the people of Chicago, in which I announced it to be my purpose to appeal to the people of Illinois to sustain the course I had pursued in Congress. In that speech I joined issue with Mr. Lincoln on the points which he had presented. Thus there was an issue clear and distinct made up between us on these two propositions laid down in the speech of Mr. Lincoln at Springfield, and controverted by me in my reply to him at Chicago. On the next day, the 11th of July, Mr. Lincoln replied to me at Chicago, explaining at some length and reaffirming the positions which |