Debates, p.

55.
Lincoln in nowise underrated the severity of the political contest in which he was about to engage.

He knew his opponent's strong points as well as his weak ones--his energy, his adroitness, the blind devotion of his followers, his greater political fame.

"Senator Douglas is of world-wide renown," he said.

"All the anxious politicians of his party, or who have been of his party for years past, have been looking upon him as certainly at no distant day to be the President of the United States.