Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Carbondale) | Photo Courtesy of Paul Jacobs website
Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Carbondale) | Photo Courtesy of Paul Jacobs website
Illinois Rep. Paul Jacobs recently attended a ceremony celebrating the unveiling of a mural in Jonesboro dedicated to one of the famed Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858, sharing a link to a news release about the event April 17 on his Facebook page.
The mural was dedicated by the Looking for Lincoln historical society, which works to preserve the legacy of the 16th president in Illinois.
"Illinoisans are blessed to have had Abraham Lincoln serve as our 16th President," Jacobs wrote in the release. "I am proud to have been a part of a ceremony and unveiling of this mural that is dedicated to helping preserve our memories of President Lincoln and the famous Lincoln-Douglas Debate that took place in Jonesboro in 1858," Jacobs said in the release.
According to the group's website, Looking for Lincoln is "the coordinating entity for the 43-county Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. We work in partnership with Lincoln Home National Historic Site to tell the story of Lincoln's almost 30 years in Illinois in communities where Lincoln worked, traveled, and lived. Looking for Lincoln partners with communities, organizations and individuals dedicated to enhancing the communities and landscapes of central Illinois through recognition and support of their significant natural, cultural and historical legacies," the site states.
The Looking for Lincoln organization highlights all seven of the debates, honoring the legacies of the debates and each community where they were held. Jonesboro was the site of the third debate between Lincoln and Douglas. During the debate, Douglas criticized Lincoln’s "a House Divided" speech and denounced Lincoln as an abolitionist. Lincoln accused Douglas of being unfaithful to the intent of the framers of the Constitution by promoting states' rights simply as a means to continue slavery. Though Lincoln won the popular vote, the state legislature chose Douglas as the winner of the race for Senate in 1858, Looking for Lincoln's website states. Two years later, Lincoln would defeat Douglas to win the presidency.
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