Illinois Votes 1858 — Voter Reaction to Abraham Lincoln's Campaign

March 1, 2008 - PRLog -- Georgiann Baldino’s new book Following Lincoln as He Followed Douglas captures public reaction to Lincoln's dramatic 1858 campaign. Voters across the country viewed the contest as a test for the future of democracy. Constituents turned out in droves to hear the two men speak. When Lincoln and Douglas met for their third debate, Lincoln attacked his opponent in a way that won't resonate with today's voters. “I insist,” Lincoln said, “this is the difference between Judge Douglas and myself—that Judge Douglas is helping that change along. I insist upon this Government being placed where our fathers originally placed it.”

Lincoln didn’t want change. Instead he advocated returning to the course the Founding Fathers had set. Lincoln had entered the race to convince the voters that men like Douglas who changed the political process were really moving away from the principles of freedom.

Following Lincoln as He Followed Douglas recounts how constituents reacted to the campaign tactics used by Lincoln and Douglas. Modern voters will recognize many aspects of the 19th century campaign. Negative campaigning, pageantry and partisan politics haven’t changed much. But Lincoln and Douglas piqued more than public interest; they also aroused the public conscience. The way Lincoln and Douglas went after one another is familiar. The differences between then and now are found in the actions of constituents. The ways citizens participated in self-government 150 years ago provides lessons for today.

Editor Chas Ridley says of Baldino’s book, “As the photographs span the years from past to present, the ideas move right along with them. My concerns in this election year are their concerns of 150 years ago — truth, strength, kindness, good sense, family and community, plus wondering how to encourage our government to truly be ‘for the people.’ This book celebrates the past within the context of the present. History has seldom felt so personal or so inspiring.”

Following Lincoln as He Followed Douglas is Baldino’s fourth book. It is available in wide distribution with a retail price of $11.95 in trade paperback, ISBN 978-1-4357-0385-8. Baldino is also an experienced speaker and facilitator. Her program about retracing the Lincoln-Douglas debates and is suitable for audiences from middle-grade children to adult.

Website: home.comcast.net/~gbaldino/index.htm