Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglas
Columbus: Follett, Foster and Company, 1860
First Edition, First Issue, Original Cloth

Overview

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 were a defining moment in American history, shaping the nation’s trajectory on the eve of the Civil War. This first edition, first issue of the Political Debates captures the full record of the seven historic debates, in which Lincoln’s forceful arguments against the expansion of slavery propelled him to national prominence and ultimately set the stage for his 1860 presidential victory.

These debates, fought over fundamental questions of democracy, states’ rights, and human freedom, remain one of the most important political exchanges in American history—and this volume, published shortly before Lincoln assumed the presidency, remains the definitive contemporary record.