Lincoln Versus Douglas: It Wasn't the Top Hat that Made Lincoln so Attractive

Authors

Dan Carden '00, Illinois Wesleyan University

Abstract

On the other hand, Douglas maintained a morally relativist position by promoting popular sovereignty to decide the issue in the Territories and to define states' rights in the Union. Comparing Douglas' moral relativism to Lincoln's moral absolutism, specifically regarding slavery in the Debates of 1858, will show why Lincoln's position is more attractive and explain why America celebrates Lincoln today.

Recommended Citation

Carden '00, Dan (1999) "Lincoln Versus Douglas: It Wasn't the Top Hat that Made Lincoln so Attractive," Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 4
Available at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/respublica/vol4/iss1/3