informed you that he is to have an hour to reply to me. I doubt not but
you have been a little surprised to learn that I have consented to give
one of his high reputation and known ability this advantage of me.
Indeed, my consenting to it, though reluctant, was not wholly unselfish,
for I suspected, if it were understood that the Judge was entirely done,
you Democrats would leave and not hear me; but by giving him the close, I
felt confident you would stay for the fun of hearing him skin me.

The audience signified their assent to the arrangement, and adjourned to
seven o'clock P.M., at which time they reassembled, and Mr. Lincoln spoke
substantially as follows:

The repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and the propriety of its
restoration, constitute the subject of what I am about to say. As I
desire to present my own connected view of this subject, my remarks will
not be specifically an answer to Judge Douglas; yet, as I proceed, the
main points he has presented will arise, and will receive such respectful
attention as I may be able to give them. I wish further to say that I do
not propose to question the patriotism or to assail the motives of any
man or class of men, but rather to confine myself strictly to the naked
merits of the question. I also wish to be no less than national in all
the positions I may take, and whenever I take ground which others have
thought, or may think, narrow, sectional, and dangerous to the Union, I
hope to give a reason which will appear sufficient, at least to some, why
I think differently.

And as this subject is no other than part and parcel of the larger
general question of domestic slavery, I wish to make and to keep the
distinction between the existing institution and the extension of it so
broad and so clear that no honest man can misunderstand me, and no