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- Aug 25, 2012
How important was Stephen Douglas to a Union victory? We all know the Stephen Douglas/Lincoln Debates and of course we all know that Douglas ran for president in 1860 but how much did he contribute to the Union victory?
On Sunday 14 1861 only one day after the surrender of Fort Sumter the former advisories Douglas and Lincoln had a two hour face to face meeting and discussed the current situation. Lincoln showed Douglas a copy of the proclamation call for the loyal states to provide 75,000 troops to protect Federal property and repress the rebellion. Douglas felt Lincoln was too timid and though he should call up 200,000 men. Douglas provided Lincoln with some advice, but perhaps the most important part of the meeting was when Douglas offered his wholehearted support. This was a critical moment for the Union winning the Civil War.
Lincoln need the full support of Democrats and was unsure how to proceed without that support. Stephen Douglas was well respected in the Democratic Party and his support was critical. Douglas as leader of the Democratic Party had a very good idea of the probable reaction of other Democratic leaders and held a great deal of power.
For the next five weeks Douglas rushed about persuading his fellow Democrats to support Lincoln and the war. The feverish pace probably contributed to Douglas's untimely death.
In speeches: "He said those who opposed the war were clearly traitors (a word Lincoln hesitated to use). Douglas declared they should be hanged." (p. 26 David Detzer, Dissonance).
One could say that Douglas helped change what was already being called by some "Lincoln's War" into a national crusade. His support allowed Lincoln to rally the Union.
On Sunday 14 1861 only one day after the surrender of Fort Sumter the former advisories Douglas and Lincoln had a two hour face to face meeting and discussed the current situation. Lincoln showed Douglas a copy of the proclamation call for the loyal states to provide 75,000 troops to protect Federal property and repress the rebellion. Douglas felt Lincoln was too timid and though he should call up 200,000 men. Douglas provided Lincoln with some advice, but perhaps the most important part of the meeting was when Douglas offered his wholehearted support. This was a critical moment for the Union winning the Civil War.
Lincoln need the full support of Democrats and was unsure how to proceed without that support. Stephen Douglas was well respected in the Democratic Party and his support was critical. Douglas as leader of the Democratic Party had a very good idea of the probable reaction of other Democratic leaders and held a great deal of power.
For the next five weeks Douglas rushed about persuading his fellow Democrats to support Lincoln and the war. The feverish pace probably contributed to Douglas's untimely death.
In speeches: "He said those who opposed the war were clearly traitors (a word Lincoln hesitated to use). Douglas declared they should be hanged." (p. 26 David Detzer, Dissonance).
One could say that Douglas helped change what was already being called by some "Lincoln's War" into a national crusade. His support allowed Lincoln to rally the Union.
Bringing the