{"product_id":"9780786498079","title":"Stephen A. Douglas","description":"When newly elected Illinois State Representative Abraham Lincoln first saw his diminutive colleague Stephen A. Douglas, he sized him up as \"\"the least man I ever saw.\"\" With the introduction of Douglas' first bill in 1834, Lincoln soon thought differently. The General Assembly not only passed the bill, it appointed the 21-year old Douglas State's Attorney of Illinois' largest judicial district, replacing John J. Hardin, one of Lincoln's most powerful political allies.It was the first of many Douglas-Lincoln contests in the decade ahead. Struggles over banking, internal improvements, party organizations, the seat of government and slavery--even romantic rivalry--put them on opposing sides long before the 1860 presidential election. These battles were Douglas' political apprenticeship and he would use what he learned to obstruct Lincoln--his friend and nemesis--while becoming the most powerful Democrat in the nation.","brand":"Reg Ankrom","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45852184478014,"sku":"9780786498079","price":1158.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4357\/7662\/products\/9780786498079_bfbddcdf-4f7e-4b3e-9618-4938ee61d501.jpg?v=1707324952","url":"https:\/\/exclusivebooks.co.za\/products\/9780786498079","provider":"Exclusive Books Online","version":"1.0","type":"link"}