Curtis and McLean wrote elaborate dissenting opinions.

Not only did the decision have no tendency to allay party debate, but it added greatly to the acrimony of the discussion.
Republicans accepted the dissenting opinions of Curtis and McLean as a complete refutation of the arguments of the Chief Justice; and the Court itself, through division among its members, became a partizan institution.

The arguments of the justices thus present a complete summary of the views of the proslavery and anti-slavery parties, and the opposing opinions stand as permanent evidence of the impossibility of reconciling slavery and freedom in the same government.
It was through the masterful leadership of Stephen A.Douglas that the Lecompton Constitution was defeated.

In 1858 an election was to be held in Illinois to determine whether or not Douglas should be reelected to the United States Senate.

The Buchanan Administration was using its utmost influence to insure Douglas's defeat.