The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-08-06

or lett large estate, the whole man
a sement of which devolved upon
him, requiring great ability, energy
and vigilance, all Of which, though
of very tender years, he brought to
bear with great success.
Foreseeing the future destinies Of
our young State, and charmed with
her beautiful prairies and rich see
merry, he selected it as his home. He
came to Jacksonville in the spring
of 1880, not then twenty years of
age. During that summer he built
his law office, and in the fall, return
ed to Kentucky. lie was married
in January 1881, and in the spring
of that year, removed with his fami-
ly to this place. Since that time, we
are all familiar with his suspicious
career, his rapid rise in the affec-
tons, and the esteem of this commu-
nifty and this commonwealth.
| need not state to you, that he
soon became eminent in his profess
sion. Possessed Of classical cdu-
cation, of brilliant intelle ctual facul-
ties, untiring in the prosecution OF
his studies, of settled business hab-
its and a laudable ambition, his sue
cess was certain in a community
which is ever ready to reward youth
full merit. He very soon rose TO the
first rank in his profession, aud Sc
cured lucrative and honorable
practice. He was famiIiary versed
in the reason and learning of the
law, was a successful pleader, safe
counsellor, and as an advocate, with
out superior in the State. We all
recolIect the great displays Of his
legal ingenuity, tie power of lis
sarcasm, his inimitablc wit, the orig
inality of his manner, and his soul
stirring cloquence. And while to
his competitors, he was a powerful
opponent, yet his uniform courteous,
manly and gentlemanIy Bearing, Sc
cured from the members of his pro-
lession, warm respect and devoted
friendship. And his numerous eli
ents will do lis memory the justice
to say, that he was far from possess
ing the disposition to promote litiga-
ton and that he never attempted .'to
excite in them, expectations which
he had no hope of realizing"
The career of Col. Hardin in pub.
lie life, was equally auspicious. He
was three times successfully elected
to the Legislature by the people OF
Morgan County. By untirng indus
try, he made himself thoroughly ac-
quainted with all the great subjects
under delibcration, and by lis reaGi,
ness in debate and superior abilities,
became at orcc prominent as a mem
Der Of the Legislature, and rose to
high esteem and consideration
throughout the State. With the eye
and forecast Of a statesman, he fore
saw the effect upon the State, of the
adoption Of certain lines of policy,
and opposed them with all the e!l-
qucncc, energy and ardour of his ma
ture. 1t has been left to time and
experience 10 test the correctness
Of his views.
In 1912, he was elected TO Con.
grtss from this District, and though
but once elected, he acquitted him
self with distinguished honor. At
the first entrance on the discharge
of lis duties, by a mastery and elo-
quent defence of the Christian reiig-
ion, upon the question of e!ccting a
Chaplain, he at once took a promi-
nent stand in Congress, and main
tanned it with increasing influence,
until he voluntarily retired from his
post. No man ever rose more rap
illy ir the public estimation in SO
brief a time. In that brief time, he
carved for himself name and a rep
utation throughout the Union. His
speeches excited not only the great
est attention there, but the almost
universal notice of the press, and
were every where read and admired.
His speech upon the subject Of the
improvement of Western Rivers and
HarborS, presented so many new
facts, and the claims of the young
and rising West, in so clear and
comprehensive manner rs to arouse
Congress, and the attention of men
of all parties throughout the nation,
to the Importance of the subject.
To other distinguished efforts of his,
| will not now refer, because Of their
connection with the party politics Of
the country. This much | will say,
that while his friends have recogni-
zed in them the enlightened views
Of the statesman, his political oppo-
nents arc ready to award to them
great ability, power and eloquencc,
and to their author sincerity in his
views, purity of motive and honesty