...  I have said that I do not understand the Declaration to mean that all men were created equal in all respects.  The negroes are not our equals in colour; but I suppose it does mean to declare that all men are equal in some respects; they are equal in their right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  Certainly the negro is not our equal in colour, perhaps not in many other respects.  Still, in the right to put into his mouth the bread that his own hands have earned, he is the equal of every other man, white or black.  In pointing out that more has been given you, you cannot be justified in taking away the little which has been given him.  All I ask for the negro is, that if you do not like him, let him alone.  If God gave him but little, that little let him enjoy.

...  One more point on this Springfield speech, which Judge Douglas says he has read so carefully.  I expressed my belief in the existence of a conspiracy to perpetuate and nationalize slavery.  I did not profess to know it, nor do I now.  I showed the part Judge Douglas had played in the string of facts, constituting to my mind the proof of that conspiracy.  I showed the parts played by others.

I charged that the people had been deceived into carrying the last presidential election, by the impression that the people of the Territories might exclude slavery if they chose, when it was known in advance by the conspirators that the court was to decide that neither Congress nor the people could so exclude slavery.  These charges are more distinctly made than anything else in the speech.

Judge Douglas has carefully read and re-read that speech.  He has not, so far as I know, contradicted those charges.  In the two speeches which I heard he certainly did not.  On his own tacit admission I renew that charge.  I charge him with having been a party to that conspiracy and to that deception, for the sole purpose of nationalizing slavery.

From Lincoln’s Reply to Douglas in the First Joint Debate at Ottawa, Illinois.  August 21, 1858

When a man bears himself somewhat misrepresented, it provokes him—­at least, I find it so with myself; but when misrepresentation becomes very gross and palpable, it is more apt to amuse him.... [After stating the charge of an arrangement between himself and Judge Trumbull.]

Now, all I have to say upon that subject is, that I think no man—­not even Judge Douglas—­can prove it, because it is not true.  I have no doubt he is “conscientious” in saying it.  As to those resolutions that he took such a length of time to read, as being the platform of the Republican party in 1854, I say I never had anything to do with them, and I think Trumbull never had.  Judge Douglas cannot show that either of us ever had anything to do with them....

Now, about this story that Judge Douglas tells of Trumbull bargaining to sell out the old Democratic party, and Lincoln agreeing to sell out the old Whig party, I have the means of knowing about that; Judge Douglas cannot have; and I know there is no substance to it whatever....