Lincoln-Douglas Debate in Freeport, Illinois

Context

• Second debate in the series of Lincoln-Douglas debates.
• Held in Freeport, Illinois on a cloudy, cool, and damp day.
• Special trains brought people from various cities; attendance estimated at 15,000.
• Lincoln addressed seven interrogatories posed by Douglas at Ottawa and presented four of his own.
• Douglas’ response became known as the "Freeport Doctrine."

Lincoln's Speech

Introduction

• Lincoln started by discussing the debate sequence from Ottawa.
• Mentioned his response to Douglas’ interrogatories was conditional on mutual exchange.
• Promised to answer Douglas' questions regardless of reciprocation.

Responses to Douglas' Interrogatories

1. Fugitive Slave Law: Lincoln did not favor an unconditional repeal.
2. Admission of Slave States: Not pledged against admitting more slave states.
3. State Constitution: Will not oppose a state's admission based on its constitution.
4. Abolition of Slavery in D.C.: Not pledged for it but supports gradual abolition with compensation and majority vote.
5. Slave-trade between States: Not pledged regarding its prohibition.
6. Prohibit Slavery in Territories: Believes in Congress's right and duty to prohibit slavery.
7. Territory Acquisition: Not opposed to territory acquisition, conditional on impacts on slavery.

Lincoln's Interrogatories to Douglas

1. Admission of Kansas with fewer than required inhabitants.
2. Territory excluding slavery before state constitution.
3. Acquiescence to Supreme Court ruling on slavery exclusion.
4. Acquisition of territory irrespective of slavery impact.

Criticism of Douglas

• Accused Douglas of misrepresenting and fabricating resolutions.
• Emphasized no personal involvement with resolutions Douglas attributed to him.
• Highlighted the inconsistency in Douglas’s approach to slavery issues.

Douglas' Speech

Response to Lincoln's Interrogatories

• Denied the validity of Lincoln's questions and shifted focus to Lincoln's allies' positions.
• Advocated Kansas admission as free or slave based on prior population criteria.
• Asserted territories’ rights to exclude slavery through local legislation.

Defence of Nebraska Bill

• Insisted Nebraska Bill granted full legislative power over slavery, making Chase's amendment irrelevant.
• Criticized Lincoln for misleading interpretations.

Slavery and the Supreme Court

• Asserted no state or territory could be forced to adopt slavery without local consent.
• Denounced Lincoln's insinuations against the Supreme Court as baseless.

Expansion of Territory

• Supported expansion but emphasized leaving slavery decision to new territories.
• Criticized Lincoln's party for opposing territorial expansion.

Lincoln's Reply

Defence Against Douglas’ Critiques

• Clarified his position on the resolutions and platforms mentioned by Douglas.
• Emphasized the differences between northern and southern Illinois Republicans.
• Reaffirmed commitment to the Republican party platform from 1856.

Argument on Union and Slavery

• Reiterated belief that the government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.
• Clarified his position on the admission of another slave state being unlikely to dissolve the Union.

Challenge to Douglas

• Countered Douglas's claim of charges against high dignitaries by highlighting inconsistencies.
• Criticized Douglas for reverting to pro-slavery stances after previously opposing them.

Conclusion

• Lincoln and Douglas offered contrasting visions on slavery, states' rights, and the future of the Union.
• The debate highlighted the deep divisions in political thought leading up to the Civil War.