Near Freeport in Stephenson County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Second Joint Appearance
Abraham Lincoln & Stephen A. Douglas
Douglas was the incumbent. However, the election was a hurdle in his dream of becoming President of the United States in 1860. Lincoln was a relatively unknown Springfield attorney seeking to unseat a powerful politician.
While the topic of the Freeport debate, like all the other debates, was slavery, the underlying subject was an issue of morality. Douglas argued that in a democracy, the majority could do as it pleased. Lincoln argued that even in a democracy there were moral limitations that even the majority could not exceed.
A town of some 5,000 in 1858, Freeport was inundated with a crowd estimated at between 10,000 and 15,000 on that cold, windy day. What the throng heard from the two men included what has become known as the “Freeport Doctrine.” Pronounced by Douglas in response to a question from Lincoln, the Freeport Doctrine was a restatement of Douglas’ popular sovereignty stance – that a people could vote for or against slavery as they saw fit.
Douglas went on to win re-election to the senate, but the Freeport Doctrine split Douglas’ National Democratic Party, a major factor in electing Lincoln President in 1860.
Erected 2008 by The Lincoln-Douglas Society, The Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Government & Politics • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Illinois State Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 27, 1858.
Location. 42° 16.608′ N, 89° 31.341′ W. Marker is near Freeport, Illinois, in Stephenson County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 20 and Browns Mill Road, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 20. Marker is located in the parking lot of the Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4596 US-20, Freeport IL 61032, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Legacy Remains (approx. 5.2 miles away); Richard F. Sokup (approx. 5.2 miles away); Robert J. Schmelzle (approx. 5.2 miles away); Douglas Re-elected (approx. 5.2 miles away); Lincoln and Douglas in Debate 1858 (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Debates and the Media (approx. 5.2 miles away); Freeport Commemorates (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Freeport Lincoln-Douglas Debate (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Freeport.
More about this marker. Illinois State Historical Society marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2016, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 710 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 1, 2016, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.