While matters were in such an unsettled condition a great explosion occurred in the fall of 1859 which startled the entire nation. John Brown, who had rendered valuable service in keeping slavery out of Kansas, with an armed force of seventeen men, made a raid upon Harper's Ferry, Virginia, captured the United States arsenal, and for some time held the United States army at bay before he was captured. He had planned for a general insurrection among the slaves, believing that their emancipation depended largely upon themselves. Brown's plans were forced before he was ready. It was a rash act, and was not approved by the North, but strongly condemned. Brown and others who survived the conflict were executed for inciting an insurrection, murder, and treason. Brown was a brave and sincere man, but fanatical. As the explosion of the _Maine_ hastened the Spanish-American War, so the John Brown raid was an important link in the chain of events to hasten the downfall of slavery. Seward's "irrepressible conflict" was at hand, and his "higher law" was soon to prevail. CHAPTER X. The Lincoln and Douglas Debates Candidates for the United States Senate—Seven Joint Debates—The Paramount Issue—The "Divided House"—"Acts of a Drama"—Douglas Charged Lincoln with Selling Whisky—Lincoln's Denial—A Discovery—Site of the Old Still House in Indiana—Douglas Elected—Lincoln, the Champion of Human Liberty. In 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas were candidates for the United States Senate from Illinois. Mr. Douglas, who was a Democrat, had already served as Senator, and was a candidate for reëlection. Mr. Lincoln was the Republican nominee. Both had had considerable experience in politics. Arrangements were made between them to jointly discuss the political issues at seven different places, namely, Ottawa, August 21; Freeport, August 27; Jonesboro, September 15; Charlestown, September 18; Galesburg, October 7; Quincy, October 13, and Alton, October 15. These were the most noted public debates in American history. The slavery question, with its various side issues, was the chief topic of discussion. These debates were listened to by immense concourses of people, and excited the interest of the whole country. Mr. Lincoln assumed that slavery was wrong, and opposed the extension of it, while Mr. Douglas, without considering the moral phase of the question, was in favor of leaving to the vote of the inhabitants of a territory whether it should become a State with or without slavery. Mr. Lincoln's "divided house" argument, first used at Springfield, in June, when he was nominated for Senator, was one of the strongest applications of scripture ever given. He said: