In the famous debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, it is overlooked they had somewhat a similar perspective on power. Douglas began the debate with a belief that a citizen should have a choice how to use his own authority. Thus he believed a man could choose to be a slave master and do as he pleases as an authority, While Lincoln similarly believed in the freedom of choice but only differed that all men were equals and slavery is never a solution. The major difference of opinions were obvious. Douglas believed in maintaining slavery and spreading it nationwide. While Lincoln believed slavery was unconstitutional and degrading.