As this letter suggests, Lincoln followed Douglas closely during these early campaign events. Douglas was received with fanfare upon his arrival in Chicago, where he delivered a speech to his supporters on July 9. Lincoln, having attended Douglas’s speech, responded with one of his own the following day. Douglas next made appearances in Bloomington and Atlanta, Illinois, on July 16 and 17, with Lincoln attending both speeches, but declining calls to speak after Douglas. Also on July 17, Douglas gave a speech in a grove in Springfield, and Lincoln responded with a speech at the state house in Springfield later in the evening. In his Springfield speech Lincoln suggested that Douglas had an advantage over him not only because he was the incumbent senator, but because Democratic Party leaders were eager to hold marches, triumphal entries, and receptions in Douglas’ honor because they were also looking ahead to his potential candidacy in the presidential election of 1860. Illinois Republican leaders had encouraged Lincoln to follow Douglas to his receptions around the state in this manner, but following complaints by Douglas and other Democrats about this tactic, in early August, 1858 Lincoln declined further invitations to appear at Douglas’ scheduled events.