ved slavery was protected under his concept of “Squatter Sovereignty” or Popular Sovereignty. This concept included the idea that the people of a territory should be able to decide the issue of slavery, or any other, without federal interference. This was a particularly important issue since Lincoln was opposed to expanding slavery in the territories. Douglas argued that Southern states had as much right as any state to go into these areas and promote their own agenda. Douglas argued that Lincoln was weak-willed and represented a blank slate onto which could be drawn the whims of his supporters. As Douglas answered, when a reporter asked him if Lincoln was pliable enough that he would make the South abolish slavery through the use of force, “’No, he is not that, Sir,’ said the Senator, laying on his colors heavily, ‘but he is eminently a man of the atmosphere with which he surrounds himself’” (Barringer 301).
Others who argued in favor of slavery often used the protection of ...