In 1854, Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois threw himself behind a legislative scheme that would enlist the support of a reluctant South. Douglas was a short, heavy-chested figure that radiated energy and breezy optimism of the self-made man. He longed to break North-South deadlock and stretch a line of settlements across the continent. He had also invested heavily in Chicago real estate and in railway stock and was eager to have the Windy City become …showed first 75 words of 483 total…

…showed last 75 words of 483 total…