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CONTENT S.
CHAPTER I.
Ancestry.-Death of his Father.—Life on a Farm.-Disappointment.-Ap-
prenticeship.-Enters School.-Removal to Western New York.—Studies
Law.-Taste for Politics.-Goes to the West.-Experience in Cleveland.
-Cincinnati.-Louisville.-Trip to St. Louis.-Hon. E. C. Bates.-Il-
linois at that time.-Internal Improvements.-Douglas reaches Jackson-
ville..............
CHAPTER II.
....Page 1
Want of Money. Goes to Winchester. - Clerk of Auction. - Obtains a
School.-Murray M'Connel.-Admitted to the Bar.-Personal Appear-
ance.-Jackson's Bank Policy.-Douglas proposes Meeting to defend it.
-The Meeting.-Douglas's Triumph.-Meeting of Legislature.-Douglas
elected State's Attorney.-Early Friends.-Predictions of his Failure.-
His Tact and Ability.-His Success.-Institutes Convention System in
Morgan County.-Its Success.-Douglas put on Ticket.-Democrats carry
the County.
CHAPTER III.
14
Douglas in the Legislature.—Internal Improvement System.-National Poli-
tics.-Reports against Divorces.—Proposes Plan for Internal Improve-
ments.-Is overruled.-System adopted.-Appointed Register of Land-
office.-Gloomy political Prospects.-Convention System resorted to.—
Origin of Democratic State Organization.—Nominated for Congress.—
Memorable Canvass.-Is defeated.-First State Convention.-Public Din-
ner at Quincy.-Rejoicings of the Whigs.-Several Speeches.-The Case
of M'Clernand and Field.—Douglas's Argument.-Supreme Court.-Cam-
paign of 1840.-Douglas's Canvass.-Debates in the Lobby.-Appointed
Secretary of State.—History of the "Alien Suffrage.”—Douglas presents
a hostile Decision.-The Vote saved for Van Buren.-Supreme Court re-
organized.-Douglas elected to the Bench.-His Circuit.-The Mormons.
-Saves Joe Smith's Life.-Gratitude of Smith.-Douglas's Influence with
the Mormons.-His Popularity as a Judge.-Caucus for U. S. Senator.-
Is defeated by one Vote.-Second State Convention.-Nominated for Con-
gress. His Opponent.-Is elected.-Violent Illness.-Leaves for Wash-
ington.-Retrospect........
27
CHAPTER IV.
Early Support of Jackson.-Speech on Jackson's Fine.-Invited to Tennes-
see.-Monster Convention.-Visit to the Hermitage.-Interview with
Jackson.-Interesting Account.-Jackson's Estimate of Douglas's Speech.
-Speech at Inauguration of Jackson's Statue...... ...Page 59
CHAPTER V.
Annexation of Texas.-Proposes 36° 30'.-It is adopted.-Mexican War.
-Great Speech on American Title, and in Defense of the War.-Treaty
of Peace.-Votes against it...
72
CHAPTER VI.
Foreign Policy.-Oregon Boundary.-Democratic Platform.-54° 40′.-
Monroe Doctrine.—Clayton-Bulwer Treaty.—Debates in Senate.-Speech
on Monroe Doctrine.-Extracts from Debates.-Cuba..
CHAPTER VII.
91
Territorial Expansion.-Central America.-Annexation of more Territory.
-Friendship of England.-Repelling foreign Aggressions.-Filibuster-
ism.-Acquisition of Cuba......
CHAPTER VIII.
111
-
Compromise of 1850.—The Questions at issue.-The Demands on both
sides. Henry Clay in the Senate.-President's Message.-Plans of Com-
promise by Houston, Benton, Foote, Bell, and Clay.-Abolition of Peti-
tions.-Protracted Debates.-Speeches by Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Doug-
las.-Bills reported for California, the Territories, and Texas Boundary.
-Committee of Thirteen appointed.—Why Clay reported Omnibus.-
Conversation between Clay and Douglas.—History of Omnibus Bill.-
Davis's Amendments.—Restrictions on Territorial Legislation.—Soulé's
Amendment.-Douglas votes for Wilmot Proviso.-His Reasons.-Texas
Boundary.-California.-Death of President Taylor.-Power of Terri-
torial Legislatures.-Extracts from Debates.-Destruction of the Omnibus.
-New Mexico put out.-Texas put out.-California put out.-Utah left
alone.-36° 30′ repudiated by the Abolitionists.-Passage of the Bill. 124
CHAPTER IX.
California Bill passed.-Texas Boundary Bill passed.-New Mexico Bill
passed.-Fugitive Slave Law passed.-Exclusion of free Negroes from
States. Douglas's Speech.-Extracts from Debates on final Passage of
Compromise Acts.-Douglas returns to Chicago.-The Abolition Mob.-
Defends the Fugitive Slave Law.-Effects of the Speech.-The Compro-
mise in Congress.-His Speech in 1851.-Why his Vote not recorded for
Fugitive Slave Law.-Why he voted for Wilmot Proviso.-The Chicago
Speech. Defense of Fugitive Slave Law.....
155
CHAPTER X.
The Nebraska-Kansas Bill.—Its Purpose.-The Freedom of the People.—
Douglas reports the Bill.-The Missouri Compromise.-Dixon Amend-
ment.-Sumner Amendment.-Bill taken up.-Chase asks Postponement.
-Meantime Chase issues his Address.-Douglas's Exposure of the Trick.
-Chase's Apology.-Protest of New England Clergy. Of the Chicago
Clergy. 14th Section.-The Chase Amendment.-Its Design.-Why it
was voted down.-Extracts from Speeches of Wells, Toucey, Hunter, Cass,
Atchison.-The Badger Amendment.—Clayton Amendment.—Bill passed.
-History of Bill in the House.-Returned to Senate.-Passed.-Douglas's
Speech of March 3.-President Pierce and the Nebraska Bill.... Page 187
CHAPTER XI.
Anti-Nebraskaism. - Know-nothingism. - Douglas denounces Know-noth-
ingism at Philadelphia.-His Speech on that occasion.-Chicago Mob in
1854.-Description of Scene.-Reason for refusing him a Hearing.-Vio-
lence at other points.-The Election of 1854.-Fusion Legislature.-Elec-
tion of Trumbull.-Douglas offered a public Dinner at Chicago.-His
Speech on that occasion.-Visits New Orleans.-Denounces Know-noth-
ings at Richmond, Va.......
CHAPTER XII.
263
Relief of Supreme Court of U. States.-Douglas's Plan.-His Speech explain-
ing it.-Plan rejected.—Bill fails.-His Defense of Supreme Court... 277
CHAPTER XIII.
Kansas in 1856.-President's Message.-Topeka Constitution.-Douglas's
celebrated Report, March 12th.-Reports a Bill enabling Kansas to form
a State Government.—Extracts from Report.-His Speech on same sub-
ject.-His Reply to Collamer.-Various Bills introduced.-Toombs's Bill.
-Bill passed.-House passes Bill admitting Kansas.-Senate amends it.
--Dunn's Bill passes House.-Douglas's Report upon it.-Laid on Table.
-House introduces Legislation for Kansas into Army Bill.--Disagree-
ment of Houses.-Congress adjourns.-Army Bill lost.-Congress con-
vened, and Bill passed.......
CHAPTER XIV.
284
The Lecompton Controversy.-Governors for Kansas.-Governor Walker.-
Conditions of Acceptance.-His Instructions and Inaugural.-Constitu-
tion to be submitted.-Meeting of Congress.-President's Message.—
Douglas's Speech of 9th December........ 311
CHAPTER XV.
Internal Improvements. - River and Harbor Bills. -Tonnage Duties.- Douglas's Proposition.-Letter to Governor Matteson.-Illinois Central
Railroad.-History of the Measure before Congress.-Its Passage.—Its
Benefits to Illinois and the West.-Pacific Railroad.-Speech on sub-
ject..
CHAPTER XVI.
.Page 354
Campaign of 1858.-The Lecompton Constitution.-John Calhoun.-Dem-
ocratic Protests.-Unanimity in Illinois.-President sustained.-Change
of Policy by Administration.-Disappointment in Illinois.-Strange Doc-
trines of Washington Union.-Panic of Republicans.-Their Hopes re-
vived.-President's Message.—Meeting in Chicago.-Speeches.—Bigler
and Fitch denounced.-Proscription commenced.-Danitism instituted.—
Democratic Convention.-New Delegations.-How got up.-Unanimity
of Democrats.-Meeting of the Convention.-Its Proceedings.-Its Reso-
lutions.-Danite Convention.-Proscription continued.-Second Danite
Convention.-Republican Convention.-Democratic Papers in Illinois.—
Douglas returns to Chicago.—His Reception.—The Proceedings.-Lin-
coln's Speech, 17th June.-Douglas's Speech in Chicago.............
CHAPTER XVII.
380
Lincoln addresses Meeting at Chicago.-Republican Aid to Danites.-Ger-
man Democrats of Chicago.-Douglas leaves for Springfield.-His Route.
-Douglas makes and announces his Appointments for Meetings.-The
List.-Returns to Chicago.-Lincoln's Challenge.-Its Cause.-Douglas's
Reply.-Joint Discussions agreed upon.-Trumbull speaks at Chicago.—
Proscription continued.-How a Democrat saved his Head.-Douglas's
Visit and Speech at Winchester.-Freeport Treason.-Popular Sovereign-
ty Doctrines of Orr, Douglas, Buchanan.-Joint Discussion at Ottawa.-
Its Result.-The Freeport Questions.-Douglas's Answers.-Is denounced
and read out of Party.-Douglas's Speech in '59 on same subject.-Joint
Debates. Trumbull's Policy. Imported Orators to "kill Douglas."-
Danite Proceedings.-Washington Union.-Letters from Breckenridge,
Wise, and Clay.-Hon. A. H. Stephens. Labors of the Campaign.—
Douglas's last Speeches.-Returns to Chicago.-Election Day.-The Re-
sult.-Danite Vote.-Why it was small.-Efforts to Defeat Douglas con-
tinued.-Senator Coffee........ 416
--
CHAPTER XVIII.
Married in 1847.-Death of Mrs. Douglas in 1853.-His Children.-Mar-
ried in 1856.-Plantation and Slaves Story.-True Statement.-Remarks
in Senate upon it.—Slaveholders' Stories in 1858.—Mr. Slidell refutes
them.-Malignity of federal Officers.-Property in Chicago.-Donation
to University.-Aid in 1856 to carry Pennsylvania...
CHAPTER XIX.
435
Douglas visits Europe.-Not presented to Queen Victoria.-Court Costume. -Goes to St. Petersburg.-Interview with Nesselrode.-Costume Question again. Is presented to the Emperor.-Sebastopol.-Douglas and the