Friday, June 3, 2011

The Death of Steven A. Douglas Shocks Most Everyone

Abraham Lincoln talked today of the death of his arch-rival, yet strong supporter, Steven A. Douglas.  He and Douglas had clashed in the Lincoln-Douglas debates in Illinois in 1858. Douglas had won the U.S. Senate appointment Mr. Lincoln had wanted. Yer when Mr. Lincoln was elected President,  Douglas was one of the few members of Congress who was unshaken in his support for Mr. Lincoln.

What many people did not know or conveniently forgot, Mary Lincoln had been courted by Douglas before she married Mr. Lincoln. And at the Inaugural Ball, it was Mr. Douglas who escorted Mary into the event.

Mary Lincoln had told me that she married Abraham because someday he was going to be President of the United States. Obviously, in her great forsight, she did not think Douglas would achieve that position.

We will all miss "The Little Giant".

W. H. Lamon

1 comment:

  1. Hi Bob,
    Great blog !
    I think you have heard about our movie "Saving Lincoln". I am co-writing it with my husband Sal Litvak. I have a question for you. What do you think Lamon's accent sounded like? I'm guessing it was close to a West Virginia accent, but I'd love to hear any thoughts you might have on this. Thank you so much,
    - Nina Litvak

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