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 54 strangers in the city to address the people at a public meeting at the State House in the evening. He devoted the speech largely to repelling the charges made by Douglas against him of disunion sentiment, forcible resistance to the Dred Scott decision, and a desire for negro equality. He also renewed his charge that the Dred Scott decision was a conspiracy to which Douglas was a party Douglas was not present at the meeting, having already departed on his tour of the state. In this irregular manner began a campaign, which was speedily turned into a series of formal debates through a challenge sent by Lincoln to Douglas.