Lincoln v Douglas Debates

Lincoln v Douglas Debates by Avard T. Fairbanks
 
Two large low-relief plaques were created by Avard T. Fairbanks, Ph.D., Sculptor, in 1953 to commemorate the Senatorial Debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, which occurred at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1858.  The contrast between the candidates could not have been greater.  Lincoln was tall and slender; Douglas was short and corpulent.  

Both were accomplished speakers.  It is interesting to note that during the debates, the Mormon question was raised, “What to do about the Mormons?”  Stephen A Douglas exclaimed, “Annihilate the lot of them!”  Abraham Lincoln’s answer was more thoughtful, realistic, and demonstrated his dry wit.  He paused, thought for a moment, and said, “They are too green to burn out, and they are too deeply rooted to dig out; I say we just plow around them.”  It is well-known that Lincoln won the election.  Fort Douglas on the eastern hills of the Wasatch Front in the Salt Lake Valley was named by him after his opponent, Stephen A. Douglas.  It was located on the eastern high ground so that the fort could overlook and dominate the Mormons if there was to be any trouble.  These two low-relief bronze plaques are located at the entrance of the “Old Main Building” of Knox College, which is the only remaining building from the time of the debates. 
 
This artwork is not reproducible; therefore it is not for sale.  We are showing this U.S. historical artwork of Avard T. Fairbanks as a gallery exbibit.