Abraham Lincoln
and his Travels to
the Debate with
Stephen Douglas

Lincoln’s Democratic rival in the race for the U.S. Senate seat from Illinois, Stephen Douglas (1813–1861), was a popular figure with a great deal of political capitol. This popularity contributed mightily to his robust ego that would not suffer anything less than First Class train accommodations when traveling to the debates. By contrast, “Honest Abe” traveled in economy class, packed among the masses (although as a railroad lawyer, he certainly could have afforded better).

This brief paragraph (accompanied by a photograph of both men) was written by a friend of Lincoln who recalled his train ride with the (losing) candidate as he made his way to Ottawa, Illinois, the site of the first debate.

Historian Henry Steele Commager ranked Lincoln at number 11 insofar as his impact on the cultural mindset of the United States…