Chapter 42: Lincoln Returns to the Political Arena to Overturn the Kansas-Nebraska Act

While busy with his law career in Springfield, Lincoln becomes well aware of reactions to the 1854 Bill from abolitionists Salmon Chase and Charles Sumner who call it “a gross violation of a sacred pledge and a criminal betrayal of previous rights.”

In joining a campaign to return Illinois Whig Richard Yates to the House, Lincoln refers to the “great wrong and injustice of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the extension of slavery into free territory.”

This takes place as Douglas’ “PopSov” experiment is about to play out in the Kansas Territory.