for the purpose of such a consultation as he describes, or any other kind of consultation, is certainly beyond our comprehension. It was not made public through the press and we are not aware that it was announced outside of his immediate circle of friends, if indeed it was announced there. It may be relied upon, at all events, that if Mr. Lincoln had known that his opponent was about to make engagements that would preclude the possibility of arranging a canvass of the state with him, a challenge would have been forthcoming immediately. It was properly Mr. Douglas' duty to challenge Mr. Lincoln, without waiting to receive one.
Mr. Douglas announces, towards the close of his reply, that it is probable that he can meet Mr. Lincoln before the people once in each Congressional district. We hope he will be able to; and in the meantime, if he is disposed to be an honest man, let him desist from such gross misrepresentations of Mr. Lincoln's position as he has thus far indulged in.
[Free-port, Ill., Journal, July 29, 1858]
AT FREEPORT
Mr. Lincoln having challenged Senator Douglas to meet him on the stump all over the state, the latter declines the general invitation, but agrees to meet him at seven places, as follows: Freeport, Ottawa, Galesburg, Quincy, Alton, Jonesboro, and Charleston, provided Lincoln will come at the times that Douglas' friends may have chosen, if any. Though this is a half way evasion of the challenge, we are glad that we, in Freeport at least, will have an opportunity to hear these two champions from the same stand. We bespeak for them the largest gathering ever known here, and are willing to let the people judge for themselves as to who shall be their choice, after a fair hearing of them both in person.
[Illinois Slate Register, July 31, 1858]
LINCOLN'S CHALLENGE
The republican organs make a most clumsy effort to have it appear that Senator Douglas declines a general canvass with Mr. Lincoln, because the former dreads the combat! The very tone of these organs, in their silly assertions on this point, denies their sincerity. The idea that a man who has crossed blades in the senate with the strongest intellects of the country, who has as the champion of democratic principles in the senatorial arena, routed all opposition—
