Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-05-22
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY Is, 1851.
Hon. stephen A. Douglass.


The Quincy ILL., Herald hosts the name Of this dis
tinguished Senator candidate for the Presidency
subject to the decision of the National Convention
Whilst it is by probable that Judge Douglass
would be the FIRST choice of Indiana it is very certain
that should he receive the nomination. he would receive
the electoral vote of our State He is a in
feeling and in action citizen and Senator from an
adjoining State. Whatever may be the result of the
National Convention, believe that should Judge
Douglass live, he will very distant day. be Presi-
dent of the United States.
Stephen A. Douglass was born in the town of Brandon
Rutland county, Vermont on the 23d of April lsI3 and
is consequently thrtyeight years of age His father
eminent physician, died when Stephen was only two
months old, leaving the mother and other child,
daughter in rather limited circumstances. The mother
shortly afterwards reside with an unmarried
brother farm in Of the valleys of the Green
Mountains, where, by practcing system of severe
dustry, and rigid economy, she enabled give her
the ordinary rudiments of English education. In
the time he worked on the farm with his uncle
His uncle not having the of placing him in college,
at the age of fifteen he commenced learning the business
OF a cabinet maker. Being naturally Of ingenious
Of mind he made great proficiency in the busi-
ness bat at the end Of years he compelled TO
abandon his trade Of feeble health. About
this time bis mother married Gahezi Granger of Ontario
county, New York. Stephen accompanied his mother
thher, and shortly afterwards entered the Canandagna
academy, under the direction of Professor Howe where
he remained some time Whilst engaged in his classical
studes he spent portion of his time reading law in the
Office Of Mr. Hubbell He was democrat and although
MINOR and entitled a vote, ne defended the ad
minist alton of Gen. jackson from the assaults of the
Whig and anti Masonic party in a manner that aston
ished older heads Indeed whilst an apprentice in ver-
mont the day OF the Presidential election in 1928 he
headed company of Democratic boys and tore down
the coffin hand bills that had been posted up by the op-
posite side.
In 1888 he set his face westward in search of loca-
ton where he might practice his profession when his
studies should be completed. His first stopping place
Cleveland Ohio, where he entered the law office Of
Sherlock ]. Andrews Esq. student and clerk. He
however Frustrated y Sickness which contnu-
ed for many months. When he recovered his mother
urged him to return home, where hearty welcome
awaited him. But his purpose had been avowed-he
had his face westward in search Of future home
an he determined to tread steps backwards" He
left Cleveland and travelled by the way Of Cincinnati
Louisville ST. Louis to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he
compelled STOP His funds by this time re-
duced to thirty-seven cents. There he youth o
twenty years OF age, feeble in health small in
weighing than hundred and twenty pounds
surrounded by strangers-not single person in the
county that he had ever seen beore his situation mus
have been embarrassing. But blessed with temper
and disposition that desponds he Immediately
ed in search of employment. He travelled foot th
town of Winchester, about sixteen miles from jackson
vile, where he found employment for three days th
clerk of SALE at two dollars day. He then engaged
10 teach the village school, and spent his evening readn
some old law hooks which lie borrowed from citizen
In March, 1894, he was licensed practice law Hi
first efforts in his new profession were remarkably sue
cessnl, may be judged from the fact that in less tina
year he was elected Prosecuting Attorney the lat
Col. John J. Harden who fell much iamented th
bloody field Of Beuna Vista In 1886 he elected I
the Legislature, as a member from the county of MOI
gan, and took his seat the following December, tn
youngest man in the body. 1t unfortunate Sc.
sion for Illinois, and it fell the lot of young Dougla.
TO breast the storm Of speculation and the mania
banking swept only the Prairie State but ii
entire West. He opposed the extension Of the Ban
capital and the dangers which he boldly pointed
although unheeded the time realized in Il
disastrous faulre of the whole system In 1888 he WI
nominated by the Democrats a candidate for Congre
in the third District which embraced the whole northe
half Of Illinois At the time OF his nomination be was
eligible, but he would become twenty years Of
before the election he accepted the nomination and enie
ed the The contest severe on
Thirty-six thousand cast, and Mr.. Dougla
was defeated by Mr.. Stuart, the old member, by Fl
votes.
The election being he returned TO his proiessio
Ia 1910 he devoted the entire TO the President
election, attending meetings and addressing the PeoI
troughut ths entire State and 70 his exertiOrs and