This map shows the locations of Stephen Douglas' campaign speeches in 1858. It shows that Douglas largely ignored both the state's northern and southern extremities in order to concentrate his efforts upon central Illinois. This suggests that Douglas believed his support in southern Illinois was strong, while the state's overwhelmingly Republican northern counties were a lost cause. Central Illinois, populated in nearly equal measure by opponents and supporters of slavery, as well as fence-sitting Democrats and former Whigs who hoped to ride out the crisis, became the campaign's principal battleground.

For more information about politics in the 19th century, please look at Lincoln/Net's Getting the Message Out! National Political Campaign Materials, 1840-1860 Web site.