Page "Kansas–Nebraska Act" Paragraph 35

Sen. Stephen A. Douglas and former Illinois Congressman Abraham Lincoln aired their disagreement over the Kansas – Nebraska Act in three public speeches during September and October 1854.

Lincoln gave his most comprehensive argument against slavery and the provisions of the act in Peoria, Illinois, on October 16, the Peoria Speech.

He and Douglas both spoke to the large audience, Douglas first and Lincoln in response two hours later.

Lincoln's three-hour speech presented thorough moral, legal and economic arguments against slavery, and set the stage for Lincoln ’ s political future.

These speeches set the stage for the Lincoln-Douglas debates four years later, during which Lincoln was running for Douglas's senate seat.