natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence,—­the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."[716] Slavery had always been, and would always be, “an apple of discord and an element of division in the house.”  He disclaimed all intention of making war upon Southern institutions, yet he was still firm in the belief that the public mind would not be easy until slavery was put where the fathers left it.  He reminded his hearers that Douglas had said nothing to clear himself from the suspicion of having been party to a conspiracy to nationalize slavery.  Judge Douglas was not always so ready as now to yield obedience to judicial decisions, as anyone might see who chose to inquire how he earned his title.[717]

In his reply, Douglas endeavored to refresh Lincoln’s memory in respect to the resolutions.  They were adopted while he was in Springfield, for it was the season of the State Fair, when both had spoken at the Capitol.  He had not charged Mr. Lincoln with having helped to frame these resolutions, but with having been a responsible leader of the party which had adopted them as its platform.  Was Mr. Lincoln trying to dodge the questions?  Douglas refused to allow himself to be put upon the defensive in the matter of the alleged conspiracy, since Lincoln had acknowledged that he did not know it to be true.  He would brand it as a lie and let Lincoln prove it if he could.[718]

At the conclusion of the debate, two young farmers, in their exuberant enthusiasm, rushed forward, seized Lincoln in spite of his remonstrances, and carried him off upon their stalwart shoulders.  “It was really a ludicrous sight,” writes an eye-witness,[719] “to see the grotesque figure holding frantically to the heads of his supporters, with his legs dangling from their shoulders, and his pantaloons pulled up so as to expose his underwear almost to his knees.”  Douglas was not slow in using this incident to the discomfiture of his opponent.  “Why,” he said at Joliet, “the very notice that I was going to take him down to Egypt made him tremble in his knees so that he had to be carried from the platform.  He laid up seven days, and in the meantime held a consultation with his political physicians,"[720] etc.  Strangely enough, Lincoln with all his sense of humor took this badinage seriously, and accused Douglas of telling a falsehood.[721]

The impression prevailed that Douglas had cornered Lincoln by his adroit use of the Springfield resolutions of 1854.  Within a week, however, an editorial in the Chicago Press and Tribune reversed the popular verdict, by pronouncing the resolutions a forgery.  The Republicans were jubilant.  “The Little Dodger” had cornered himself.  The Democrats were chagrined.  Douglas was thoroughly nonplussed.  He had written to Lanphier for precise information regarding these resolutions, and he had placed implicit confidence in the reply of his friend.  It now transpired that they were the work of a local convention in Kane County.[722] Could any blunder have been more unfortunate?