Lincoln Uses Logic to Defeat the Legal Argument

Lincoln uses graphic examples in order to build denotative reasons for the legal argument addressed in the debates regarding the interpretation of the Dred Scott decision. This issue of debate put both Douglas and Lincoln in a vulnerable position.

Lincoln first expressed his opinion when he spoke earlier in Springfield by stating, "We know the court that made it has often over-ruled this. We offer no resistance to it." Republicans would have taken every chance to challenge the decision but many of them did not want to come across as being radical abolitionists. He makes it clear that Douglas supported the Dred Scott decision because the decision was in the Supreme Court and not because of the qualities of the case.

Douglas came back with the following statement made at Freeport, "Then again, I wish to call his attention to the fact that at the time the Nebraska bill was passed, the Dred Scott case was not before the Supreme Court at all; it was not upon the docket of the Supreme Court; it had not been brought there, and the Judges in all probability knew nothing of it. Thus the history of the country proves the charge to be false against them." Douglas argues back against the logic Lincoln had place against Douglas and states that he would speak out if he did differ with the president.

Douglas also made the statement towards Lincoln's interrogatives that he feels the unfriendly legislation wouldn't prevent the introduction of slavery. Lincoln in reply uses another logical argument stating that territorial legislatures are not to bring down the Constitution but are sworn to uphold the Constitution.

As a reply he asks Douglas the rhetorical question, "How dare they legislate unfriendly to right sguaranteed by the Constitution?"

Douglas continues to use this rhetorical questions of logical arguments in the Jonesboro debate. Jonesboro, located in southern Illinois is highly populated with democrats at this time. He makes this brave claim in Jonesboro stating that if anyone is in support of Dred Scott they must also support friendly legislation. By stating this, Lincoln is making a great argument that would enable Republicans to come up with friendly local legislation that Douglas would have to support in order to say true to his doctrine. Lincoln made Douglas come across as a radical because of evidence of Douglas's opposing the federal slave code. If Douglas had of established support of making a distinction between abstract and concrete rights, Douglas would have to say that in order to act effectively, Northern states like Illinois would have to cancel out the fugitive slave law. Lincoln was able to show that Douglas's legal argument was could be objected.