[Illinois Journal, Springfield, July 12, 1858]
LINCOLN'S REPLY TO DOUGLAS
"We today occupy considerable of our space with the speech of Hon. Abraham Lincoln, in reply to Senator Douglas' speech of Friday evening. . . . . The war has begun. The first fire has been exchanged by the two contestants. Those who will read the speech we publish today, will perceive that the Little Giant is already wounded in several vital parts. In sound, manly argument, Lincoln is too much for him. While the former shakes his black locks vain-gioriously and explodes in mere fustian of sound and smoke, the latter quietly unassumingly but effectually drives home argument after argument, heavy as cannon balls, and sharp as two-edged swords, until his adversary is so thoroughly riddled, cut up and "used up," that in the view of discriminating men, nothing remains of him but a ghostly appearance.
[Cincinnati, Ohio, Commercial, July 12, 1858]
SENATOR DOUGLAS IN CHICAGO
We devote much space in our news colums to the reproduction of reports in the Chicago papers of the reception of Senator Douglas in that city Friday last, and his speech on that occasion. His competitor, Hon. Abram Lincoln, sat near him, marked attentively all he said, and replied to him from the same place the following evening. We have not yet a report of Mr. Lincoln's remarks. The speech of Douglas was able and bold, and it appears from some things said of Lincoln, that his personal relations with that gentleman are friendly.—The indications are that the political campaign in Illinois will be quite exciting and the contest close, and that Douglas will succeed in being re-elected to the U. S. Senate.
[Louisville Democrat, Louisville, Ky., September 5, 1858]
The debate in Illinois, between Lincoln and Douglas, is the ablest and the most important that has ever taken place in any of the States, on the great question which has so long agitated the country, elected and defeated Presidential candidates, built up and broken down parties. It is the opening of the question for 1860. There the real battle has begun, by broadsides too, from the heaviest artillery. Douglas is matchless in debate, and stands upon the only national platform. Lincoln is able, and does full justice to the bad cause he
