Lincoln and his career
... Douglas, Lincoln was relatively unknown in the political world and was just beginning his career in politics. Abraham Lincoln’s reputation was just starting to grow, and his life was about to make a drastic change. The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 were a turning point in Abraham Lincoln’s political career. Lincoln had served four terms in the Illinois legislature, and now desired an office with greater prestige. Lincoln had served the Whig Party well, and election to Congress became his goal. In 1843 and 1844, Lincoln lost the nomination for Congress to other candidates. ... Abraham Lincoln won the Whig nomination for the U. ... Lincoln started his Congressional career on December 6, 1847. ... Already in his political career, Lincoln had a strong stand on slavery. ... Lincoln’s stay in Congress was brief and frustrating. ... At that point, Lincoln decided to return to Springfield, Illinois and revive his law career. ... However, Lincoln knew that law was not his dream. Abraham Lincoln decided to reenter politics. ... “I [Lincoln] think, and shall try to show, that it is wrong; wrong in its direct effect, letting slavery into Kansas and Nebraska—and wrong in its prospective principle, allowing it to spread to every part of the wide world, where men can be found inclined to take it” (Fehrenbacher, Lincoln, 1832-1858 510). Lincoln was against Douglas’ principles and wanted to stand up for what he believed was right. Richard Heckman states in his book, Lincoln vs. Douglas, that “It was not until 1854 that he [Lincoln] again emerged as an active political figure” (35). Lincoln believed that the Declaration of Independence contained rights for freedom and equality, and could not be taken away from anyone. ... However, Lincoln wanted to show the people how cruel and evil slavery really is, and had strong morals which were totally against slavery. ... Lincoln was again elected to the Illinois legislature, but resigned to run for the Senate. ... In 1856, Lincoln made over a hundred speeches which boosted his position in the party. Finally, in 1858, Lincoln was nominated to run against Stephen A. ... Douglas heard that he would be running against Abraham Lincoln for the United States Senate in 1858, he knew that he was up against a formidable opponent. ... Douglas already thought that Lincoln was a great politician, and knew that he would have his hands full. After being nominated, Lincoln gave his famous “House Divided” speech which caused much grief between the North and the South. ... Lincoln’s “House Divided” speech established his position on slavery. ... A short while after he was nominated, Lincoln challenged Stephen A. ... Lincoln could have proved his stand against slavery in a Senate debate, but the debates with Douglas received a lot of national recognition. ... Lincoln knew that he was inexperienced and there was a lot he had to learn. Lincoln opened with confidence. He knew that the Judge [Douglas] was a great man, and that he was a small man, but he thought he could defeat Douglas (Fehrenbacher, Lincoln, 1832-1858 518). Lincoln spoke in a totally contrasting style than Douglas. ... While on the other hand, Lincoln joked and spoke rather laid back. The audience was amused by Lincoln’s style of speaking, and laughed and applauded many times. ... They wanted Lincoln to be more aggressive in the next debate. Lincoln had never been applauded and didn’t know what to make of it. ... At the second debate at Freeport, Lincoln arrived in a Conestoga wagon, which reflected his frontier roots.