But events traveled too rapidly for him.
The pro-slavery men were so eager for the possession of Kansas that they could not adjust their measures to the needs of Mr.Douglas's political situation.

They looked at the question from one point, Mr.Douglas from another.

They saw that if Kansas could be forced into the Union with the Lecompton Constitution they would gain a slave State.

Mr.Douglas saw that if he should aid in that political crime he would lose Illinois.

It was more important to the South to secure Kansas as a slave State than to carry Illinois for Mr.
Douglas.