| The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas for an Illinois seat in the United States Senate. At that time, the state legislature elected Senators. Thus Lincoln and Douglas were campaigning for their respective parties to win control of the legislature. The debates presaged the issues that Lincoln faced in the 1860 presidential campaign and are remembered partially for the eloquence of both sides. Practically the only issue discussed was slavery. The debates were held in seven towns in the state of Illinois: Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy, and Alton. Each debate had this format: one candidate spoke for an hour and a half, then the other candidate spoke for two hours, and then the first candidate spoke for a half hour. The candidates alternated going first. Reference |  |