The New Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Stephen A. Douglas, the"Little Giant" who served in the U.S. Senate and debated Abraham Lincoln, is still much-honored in some quarters. Douglas, Wyo., and Douglas County, Nev., are among a number of localities that boast of being named for the"noted statesman from Illinois." A 96-foot statue marks his grave, at a park in Chicago, with ceremonies held on his birthday and the anniversary of his death. And a residence hall is named for him at Eastern Illinois University -- at least for now.

Following much campus discussion, the Faculty Senate at Eastern Illinois last week adopted a resolution to change the name of the building, arguing that Douglas"bears a dishonorable record of public service and is hence undeserving of public acclaim and honor." The discussion is taking place in Charleston, Ill., the home of Eastern Illinois and also the site of one of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, which are suddenly being debated anew.

Christopher Hanlon, an associate professor of American literature who studies the 19th century, set off the discussion when he started to talk to students and fellow faculty members about the meaning of having a dormitory named for Douglas. Initially, Hanlon proposed that the university simply add another S to Douglas -- and honor Frederick Douglass. But he decided not to make the final proposal so specific, in part because the abolitionist doesn't have strong ties to Illinois, and Hanlon said he respected the idea that Eastern might want to honor someone from the state.

The problem with Douglas Hall, Hanlon and others say -- even when a Lincoln Hall sits nearby -- is that it elevates not only the Lincoln-Douglas debates, but what Douglas argued for in his public life....