Jacksonville in Morgan County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

1858 Senate Race Here

Looking for Lincoln

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, June 10, 2012

1. 1858 Senate Race Here Marker

Inscription.

1858 Senate Race Here. Looking for Lincoln. , Abraham Lincoln and incumbent Stephen A. Douglas spent ten weeks in 1858, contesting for the U.S. Senate. , During the grueling campaign, Lincoln made sixty-three speeches across the state; Douglas made 130. Both men spoke separately in Jacksonville. Lincoln arrived in Jacksonville by train from Springfield at 11 A.M. Monday, September 27. he was met by large delegations from Morgan, Cass, and Scott Counties. The Jacksonville Sentinel described the scene as the parade moved from the depot to the square, where Lincoln spoke for two and a half hours: "Mr. Lincoln, with two or three of his political friends, rode in an open carriage at the head of the procession. He is tall and lank in person, and we believe prefers no claim to personal good looks. He sat doubled up in his seat, his chin resting on the head of his cane, doubtless ruminating, amid the noise of the occasion, on the singular fact, that after a somewhat obscure political expensive of twenty-five years, his friends all at once imagined him a great man."
South and West sides of the Jacksonville Public Square from an 1861 lithograph by H. G. Haerting printed in St. Louis. These sections of the square were closest to the Morgan County Court House, which was then located in the interior of the park, at the southwest corner of the square. It was in this Court House building that Douglas received his nickname, "The Little Giant," while living in Jacksonville, just beginning his political career.

Abraham Lincoln and incumbent Stephen A. Douglas spent ten weeks in 1858, contesting for the U.S. Senate.
During the grueling campaign, Lincoln made sixty-three speeches across the state; Douglas made 130. Both men spoke separately in Jacksonville. Lincoln arrived in Jacksonville by train from Springfield at 11 A.M. Monday, September 27. he was met by large delegations from Morgan, Cass, and Scott Counties. The Jacksonville Sentinel described the scene as the parade moved from the depot to the square, where Lincoln spoke for two and a half hours: "Mr. Lincoln, with two or three of his political friends, rode in an open carriage at the head of the procession. He is tall and lank in person, and we believe prefers no claim to personal good looks. He sat doubled up in his seat, his chin resting on the head of his cane, doubtless ruminating, amid the noise of the occasion, on the singular fact, that after a somewhat obscure political expensive of twenty-five years, his friends all at once imagined him a great man."
South and West sides of the Jacksonville Public Square from an 1861 lithograph by H. G. Haerting printed in St. Louis. These sections of the square were closest to the Morgan County Court House, which was then located in the interior of the park, at the southwest corner of the square. It was in this
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Court House building that Douglas received his nickname, "The Little Giant," while living in Jacksonville, just beginning his political career.

Three weeks before Mr. Lincoln's campaign appearance in Jacksonville, Douglas made an impressive stop here. At 10 A.M., Monday, September 6, he arrived by railroad, greeted at the depot by leading Democrats, bands, and semi-military companies which accompanied him to the Dunlap House Hotel on West State Street. According to the Jacksonville Sentinel, "The speaker's stand was erected on the east half of the Court House, and immediately over it, extending the entire length of the building, a canvass was stretched bearing the large letters, the inscription, 'Old Morgan for the Union and Down on Negro Equality.'" The banner exemplified the division then existing in Jacksonville. Nearly 10,000 people heard Douglas speaking about his 1834-1837 stat in Jacksonville and the "falsehoods" of Lincoln.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 39° 44.059′ N, 90° 13.752′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Illinois, in Morgan County. Marker is at the

Square today image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, June 10, 2012

2. Square today

intersection of State Street and Main Street on State Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jacksonville IL 62650, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lincoln and Slavery (here, next to this marker); Potawatami Indians (within shouting distance of this marker); Greene Vardiman Black (within shouting distance of this marker); The Farmers State Bank and Trust Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); New Method Book Bindery (about 500 feet away); William Jennings Bryan (about 600 feet away); Lincoln and Jaquess (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Greene Vardiman Black (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 542 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 19, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.