The result of the contest was, that, while Douglas was enabled to secure a majority of eight in the Legislature in consequence of an apportionment that was favorable to his side, Mr.Lincoln received a plurality of four thousand in the popular vote.

In a certain sense, therefore, each had won a victory, and each had incurred defeat.

But the victory of Douglas and the means by which it was won proved to be his destruction in the wider field of his ambition.

Mr.Lincoln's victory and defeat combined in the end to promote his political fortunes, and to open to him the illustrious career which followed.
This debate was not a mere incident in American politics.

It marked an era.