CHAPTER III
THE CHALLENGE
After conferring with the Democratic Committee at Springfield, Douglas gave out a list of his appointments covering July and a large part of August, ending with Ottawa, August 21. Lincoln's friends also prepared a list of Republican meetings, in some cases coinciding with the Democratic dates but generally following them a day later. In his Springfield speech, Lincoln distinctly stated that he was not present when Douglas made his speech in the grove during the afternoon and had no intention of making his remarks a reply. The previous day at Bloomington he refused to heed the calls of the crowd for a reply at the close of a Douglas meeting. Nevertheless, soon after the appointed meetings began, the Douglas papers made complaint that Lincoln was transgressing the ethics of campaigning by following their candidate and taking advantage of his crowds.
[Illinois State Journal, Springfield, July 23, 1858]
The Chicago Times launches out into a personal attack upon Mr. Lincoln for presuming to be present when Mr. Douglas speaks. One would think from this that Mr. Douglas has a patent right to audiences in Illinois. We hope that Mr. Lincoln will continue to follow up Senator Douglas with a sharp stick, even if it does make his organ howl with rage.
[Journal and Courier, Lowell, Mass., August 24, 1858]
55
