Senator Stephen A. Douglas was the long time incumbent Senator from Illinois. And, he had important people on his side in his race to be reelected to the senate seat he had in Washington DC representing Illinois. Douglas had many supporters of course, but none were more important than Charles H. Lanphier. He was a long time loyal supporter of Douglas and was the editor of the Springfield Illinois State Register. Along with the Chicago Times, the Register was an aggressive Douglas supporter. Douglas also had in his corner the former Whig who turned Democrat, Orlando Bell Ficklin.He was instrumental in convincing former Whigs like himself to become Democrats.
Abraham Lincoln won the 1858 Republican Party nomination for senator for Illinois.
Stephen A. Douglas debated Lincoln in a famous series of debates in 1858. They were campaigning for the office of US Senator from Illinois. The debates attracted national attention and were published in the newspapers in the East as well as the Midwest.
When the Whig Party dissolved, Abraham Lincoln joined the new Republican Party in Illinois. He already had made solid political connections, one was with the powerful Congressman, Henry Clay of Kentucky. Clay had been Lincoln's mentor. Lincoln also held strong anti-slavery views and soon became one the top Republicans in Illinois. When the term of nationally known Stephen Douglas, senator of Illinois, Lincoln saw an opportunity to gain national recognition by having his party nominate him to run against the powerful Democrat Douglas. He had the goal of leading people and gaining political power. He was a spokesman for anti-slavery Republicans.
Certainly the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates for the US senate seat of Senator Douglas of Illinois highlighted the differences between Republicans and Democrats on the slavery issue. It can be said, as well, that Lincoln's ideas reflected a growing messianic sentiment on the part of Lincoln. Lincoln's well known "House divided" speech invoked the words of Jesus Christ. Lincoln also made it clear in 1858 that slavery was not only a political issue but was a religious issue as well.
Lincoln was a member of the Republican Party of 1854, but is was a VERY different Republican Party than we have today.
Abraham Lincoln
lost
U.S. senator
Stephen A. Douglas beat Abraham Lincoln.
His debate partner was Senator Stephen Douglas from Illinois. Douglas was a celebrated debater and speaker.
US Senator from Illinois.
His opponent in the Lincoln-Douglas debates was Senator and Judge Stephan A. Douglas. His opponent in the Civil War was Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
The Lincoln Douglas debates had a huge impact on the future of Abraham Lincoln. Despite losing his bid to become the senator of Illinois, Lincoln made a name for himself.
Illinois Senator Stephen A. Douglas may have been surprised that he was even challenged by Abraham Lincoln in the 1858 debates for the senate seat held by Douglas, but he did not harbor any personal animosity towards Lincoln. Douglas made this clear in the Bloomington speech. Douglas praised Lincoln's character and said that Lincoln had the ability to serve well as a senator. He mentioned that he had known Lincoln for 25 years. By the 25 year remark by Douglas, it was clear that his praise for Lincoln was not based on new found flattery.
During one of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, U.S. Senator Stephen Douglas called Abraham Lincoln "two-faced." To which Lincoln replied, "I leave it to my audience. If I had another face, do you think I would wear this one?"
Abraham Lincoln - competing to become an Illinois Senator.
Abraham Lincoln became Senator of Illiinois in 1846.