The 1858 Senate Campaign - Springfield, Illinios - Illinois Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

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The 1858 Senate Campaign

Abraham Lincoln accepted the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate on June 16, 1858.  To open his campaign, Lincoln delivered the famous House Divided speech from Springfield that evening.  Upon hearing the speech, Senator Stephen A. Douglas, the incumbent, knew he would be involved in a reelection battle.  Senator Douglas open his campaign with a speech in Chicago on July 9.  Lincoln was in the audience but declined to address the crowd.  Instead, he spoke the following evening at the same location.  On July 17, Lincoln and Douglas would speak in the same city--Springfield.  In the morning Douglas spoke from the Bejamin Edwards property known as Edwards Grove, while Lincoln spoke that evening from the State Capitol.  On July 24, Lincoln wrote to Douglas formally challenging him to a series of nine debates.  When Douglas replied, he agreed to the debates but suggested seven as both had delivered dual speeches in Chicago and Springfield.  Although Lincoln ultimately lost the senate seat, the debates gave him national recognition.

Political rallies during Lincoln's time were a popular form of entertainment.  Electioneering or campaigning became popular during the early nineteenth century.  The political rally was an opportunity for candidates to discuss issues and for community members to socialize.  Early rallies attracted small numbers of voters, and the speakers were usually community or party leaders.  The candidates rarely made appearances.  By the 1840's, however, political rallies were attracting thousands potential voters, so candidates relied on public appearances rather than word of mouth to attract support.  Rallies became all-day affairs, featuring banners and flags, bands, torch-lit parades, food, and most importantly, public speeches.  If voters were unable to attend the event, they simply had to pick up the daily newspaper for a full description and text of all the speeches.

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