It was 1858—less than two hundred years ago—when two candidates went toe to toe for the opportunity to represent Illinois in the US Congress. One was six feet four inches, an attorney and a former state representative. The other was a foot shorter (maybe even more, according to some sources) and was the incumbent senator.
Abraham Lincoln, a member of the newly formed Republican Party, was a less seasoned and entrenched politician on the national scene than Stephen A. Douglas, who was known as “the Little Giant” because of his short stature yet forceful presence. Douglas was a favorite figure in the Democratic Party and gunning for the US presidency in the near future.
Douglas traveled by private train from town to town, campaigning for his reelection. Lincoln often immediately followed him, taking advantage of the huge crowds, and responded to folks’ questions about his opponent’s stances. Douglas finally agreed to add seven extra dates to his already full schedule so that the two men could appear in public together.
The results are in the history books: Lincoln won the popular vote, but Douglas won the legislative districts. Douglas was named US senator once again. However, the Lincoln-Douglas debates eventually catapulted the gangly gentleman, originally from Kentucky and Indiana, to the highest seat of government and to becoming one of the best-loved figures in US history.