and his ideas definitely were radical, but he would feel confident that he could go on steven douglas, debate him nine different times in central illinois and go on to win. douglas, however, being a very, very good orator, would go on to election. after abraham lincoln loses the senate seat lincoln does not political office until that of the presidency. when he runs for the president 1860, even utilizing this building for his campaign headquarters. some gentlemen came to abraham lincoln's house one evening, and would you him, consider running for president of the united states? lincoln actually said, i think i'll have to think about that. lincoln gives his response that he would run for president of the united states. this room was the governor's reception room. the governor's office is right door. this is where the governor would during the , and 1860 campaign for president, utilizes this as his campaign headquarters, or office, if you will. we actually have an original newspaper, for an artist that this room, when lincoln had his reception here. up as it would ave been in 1860, when

the democrats are on this side, overlooked by steven douglas in a portrait. then on this side, the republican side, you have the portrait of abraham lincoln overlooking the republicans. the rivalry between lincoln and douglas almost began from the beginning. douglas only served one term in the state legislature, but he was always around and always the leader. efforts very ambition and leader of the democrats. lincoln was the leader of the wigs. springfield was the capital city at the time. because it was a small community at the time, they went to the same functions, the same parties. they got along on a personal level fairly well. they were rivals for mary todd lincoln for her hand. abraham lincoln obviously won. some local wags might say he lost, but lincoln obviously won. douglas always seemed like he was eclipsing lincoln. his career went so fast. he was secretary of state, on the illinois supreme court. he was elected to congress. he became a powerful and well known u.s. senator. lincoln spent four teams in the legislature, one term in congress, and his p