aug 27, 1858 - Freeport Doctrine

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Lincoln and Douglas participated in a debate against each other in Freeport, Illinois where Lincoln asked Douglas to accept popular sovereignty in the decision for the Dred Scott case. Douglas reacted to this with the Freeport Doctrine; this doctrine stated that slavery would not be able to exist if the local US citizens did not pass slave codes to maintain said slavery. This statement did not sit well with the Democrats of the South since Douglas did not show enough support for the Dred Scott case decision. Douglas did win senator in this election, but Lincoln gained national recognition that would later lead him to be the presidential candidate for the Republican party (1860).

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