No general ever planned a military campaign with greater regard to the topography of the enemy’s country, than Douglas plotted his campaign in central Illinois.  For it was in the central counties that the election was to be won or lost.  The Republican strength lay in the upper, northern third of the State; the Democratic strength, in the southern third.  The doubtful area lay between Ottawa on the north and Belleville on the south; Oquawka on the northwest and Paris on the east.  Only twice did Douglas make any extended tour outside this area:  once to meet his appointment with Lincoln at Freeport; and once to engage in the third joint debate at Jonesboro.

The first week in August found Douglas speaking at various points along the Illinois River to enthusiastic crowds.  Lincoln followed closely after, bent upon weakening the force of his opponent’s arguments by lodging an immediate demurrer against them.  On the whole, Douglas drew the larger crowds; but it was observed that Lincoln’s audiences increased as he proceeded northward.  Ottawa was the objective point for both travelers, for there was to be held the first joint debate on August 21st.

An enormous crowd awaited them.  From sunrise to mid-day men, women, and children had poured into town, in every sort of conveyance.  It was a typical midsummer day in Illinois.  The prairie roads were thoroughly baked by the sun, and the dust rose, like a fine powder, from beneath the feet of horses and pedestrians, enveloping all in blinding clouds.  A train of seventeen cars had brought ardent supporters of Douglas from Chicago.  The town was gaily decked; the booming of cannon resounded across the prairie; bands of music added to the excitement of the occasion.  The speakers were escorted to the public square by two huge processions.  So eager was the crowd that it was with much difficulty, and no little delay, that Lincoln and Douglas, the committee men, and the reporters, were landed on the platform.[708]

For the first time in the campaign, the rival candidates were placed side by side.  The crowd instinctively took its measure of the two men.  They presented a striking contrast:[709] Lincoln, tall, angular, and long of limb; Douglas, short, almost dwarfed by comparison, broad-shouldered and thick-chested.  Lincoln was clad in a frock coat of rusty black, which was evidently not made for his lank, ungainly body.  His sleeves did not reach his wrists by several inches, and his trousers failed to conceal his huge feet.  His long, sinewy neck emerged from a white collar, drawn over a black tie.  Altogether, his appearance bordered upon the grotesque, and would have provoked mirth in any other than an Illinois audience, which knew and respected the man too well to mark his costume.  Douglas, on the contrary, presented a well-groomed figure.  He wore a well-fitting suit of broadcloth; his linen was immaculate; and altogether he had the appearance of a man of the world whom fortune had favored.