Lincoln Builds on His Credibility Making a Recovery in Freeport

A crowd gathered in the sum of what was estimated to be 20,000 in Freeport on August 27, 1858. In Freeport, Lincoln used Douglas's own words to put emphasis on his rebuttals. Lincoln used an appeal to logos to make a strong use of dialectics. Lincoln stated early in his hour and a half of time to speak, "I now propose that I will answer any of the interrogatories, upon condition that he will answer questions from me not exceeding the same number. I give him an opportunity to respond. The Judge remains silent. I now say that I will answer his interrogatories, whether he answers mine or not; and that after I have done so, I shall propound mine to him."

After answering all of his questions Lincoln went ahead and asked Douglass his own set of questions. The odd thing was that once Douglas had answered his set of question, Lincoln did not pursue the answers any further after Douglas had concluded. However, according to most sources Lincoln add little to gain from obtaining local support that day but he did gain the attention of the of a much larger audience. Douglas made it clear that he would support popular sovereignty in the extent that was for freedom. Lincoln was able to turn the tables on his opponent making him an extremist in his own campaign. He used this strategy his and was able to clash the bond that Douglas had made during the debate in Ottwa on August 21. Although this debate had greater attendance, more media coverage, and contain better use of symbolic meaning towards the campaign, it didn't make an change the votes for the candidates