1858 Debates

Dates:

August 21, August 27, September 15, September 18, October 7, October 13, October 15

Cities:

Seven Illinois congressional districts: Ottowa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy, Alton

Format:

Each debate lasted three hours; first candidate spoke for one hour; the second for one and a half hours; the first replying for a half hour. Candidates alternated going first.

Topics:

Primarily slavery and the Union

Video:

Video reenactment available from C-Span