People came in big numbers to the Galesburg debate.  Big, big numbers.  Estimates put the audience around 20,000.  Knowing that Galesburg was leaning Lincoln, Democratic papers urged Douglas supporters to make the trip.  The atmosphere was lively, with banners posted everywhere, mostly for Lincoln.  Not to mention the bitter cold.  Freezing cold.

Douglas went first.  Knowing that Galesburg was mostly anti-slavery, Douglas led the debate by speaking of his fight against the Lecompton Constitution.  Remember that Douglas fought this because it violated “popular sovereignty.” This opinion broke from the view of President Buchanan.  Douglas attempted to show the crowd that Lincoln and the Republicans were working with Buchanan to deny his reelection to the U.S. Senate.  He uses the example of the Galesburg Postmaster, a position replaced by President Buchanan. “I could find an instance in the postmaster of the city of Galesburg and in every other postmaster in this vicinity, all of whom have been stricken down simply because they discharged the duties of their offices honestly, and supported the regular Democratic ticket in this state…” Douglas says this fully aware that some Republicans supported his candidacy, simply because it stood against President Buchanan.  Against Buchanan.

For his response, Lincoln consults the Declaration of Independence. “I believe the entire records of the world, from the date of the Declaration of Independence up to within three years ago, may be searched in vain for one single affirmation, from one single man, that the Negro was not included in the Declaration of Independence.” Lincoln states that the policy of the Democratic party invented “that affirmation.” Simply, Jefferson made no distinction between races when he wrote the Declaration of Independence.  Only the Democratic party of 1858 makes that distinction, an invented one according to Lincoln.  Just made up.  Douglas often accused Lincoln of being a divider, because of his “house divided” speech.  In this debate Lincoln turns the tables and tells Douglas that because of his stance on “popular sovereignty,” the South will divide from supporting him in the future.  Lincoln’s response was searing.  The crowd erupted for him and continued erupting, even interrupting Douglas’ final portion of the debate.

The long campaign began showing its wear on Douglas.  His voice strained and his composure cracked a bit at Galesburg.  Lincoln seemed to be going strong.  Very strong.  With the debates wrapping up soon, both politicians continued to battle.