Lincoln and Douglas in Olney, IL
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 43.861 W 088° 05.137
16S E 405638 N 4287487
The Democrats were confident of victory and turned down a challenged debate.
Waymark Code: WM4PW1
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 09/17/2008
Views: 10
Marker Erected by: the Richland County Historical Center and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Date Marker Erected: 1972.
County of Marker: Richland County.
Location of Marker: Main St. & Kitchell St., courthouse lawn, Olney.
Marker Text:
LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS IN OLNEY
During the presidential campaign of 1856 Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas spoke in Olney at separate political rallies held the same day - Saturday, September 20. In the morning Douglas spoke in a grove near town at a Democratic rally for Buchanan and Breckinridge. In the afternoon Lincoln spoke at the courthouse at a Republican rally for Fremont and Dayton. The Republican speakers - Lincoln, Senator Lyman Trumbull, and Ebenezer Peck of Chicago - also attended the Democratic rally. On the previous day they had challenged the Democrats to a debate, but the Democrats were confident of victory and did not accept.