[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from November 17 (reply #13).

1

2

Allen C. Guelzo, Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America

[BroJoeK]

Here Guelzo focuses on the effects of Lincoln-Douglas debates in exposing the irreconcilable split between Northern & Southern Democrats regarding slavery in the territories.
Without the debates Douglas may have gotten away with speaking out of both sides of his mouth on the subject.
Interesting to note the words of Senators Davis & Benjamin, not usually thought of as Fire Eaters, but here doing their bit to make Northerner Douglas unacceptable to Southern Democrats.