The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky. He was not well educated, but somehow he could read, write, and cipher. He learned while he worked hard as a rail splitter and store keeper in New Salem, Illinois. He was a captain in the Black Hawk War, and worked in the Illinois Legislature for eight years. He was married to Mary Todd, and they had four sons.
Lincoln ran for senate in 1858, but lost to Democrat Stephen A. Douglas. In 1860 Lincoln was nominated to be the Republican candidate for the 1860 presidential election. He believed in minority rights, me…