Stephen Douglas Quotes

United States, Politician
April 23, 1813 – June, 3, 1961.

Stephen Arnold Douglas was an American politician and lawyer from Illinois. He was the Democratic Party nominee for president in the 1860 election, but he was defeated by Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln. Douglas had previously bested Lincoln in 1858 Illinois election for the United States Senate, which is known for the Lincoln–Douglas debates. During the 1850s, Douglas was one of the foremost advocates of popular sovereignty, which held that each territory should be allowed to determine whether to permit slavery within its borders. Douglas was nicknamed the "Little Giant" because he was short in physical stature, but a forceful and dominant figure in politics.

Abolitionism proposes to destroy the right and extinguish the principle of self-government for which our forefathers waged a seven years' bloody war, and upon which our system of free government is founded.

Stephen Douglas
- Free
- Government
- Self
Every man must be for the United States or against it. There can be no neutrals in this war; only patriots and traitors.

Stephen Douglas

I do not regard the Negro as my equal, and positively deny that he is my brother, or any kin to me whatever.

Stephen Douglas
- Brother
- Equal
- Negro
If there is any one principle dearer and more sacred than all others in free governments, it is that which asserts the exclusive right of a free people to form and adopt their own fundamental law, and to manage and regulate their own internal affairs and domestic institutions.

Stephen Douglas
- Free
- Law
- Principle
Slavery cannot exist a day or an hour anywhere, unless it is supported by local police regulations.

Stephen Douglas
- Police
- Slavery
- Exist
Slavery is not the only question which comes up in this controversy. There is a far more important one to you, and that is, what shall be done with the free negro?

Stephen Douglas
- Done
- Free
- Slavery