The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-10-01


text, suggestive Of reasons for public OBJ
servation and ~gard. We do not hear It
remarked. upon The mention Of his name.
"What is there in him that people should
yield him the eminence to which he has
atlained?" 1t is not the language Of mere
eulogy, to say that he has stamped the ims
press of himself upon his time, so as to be
recognized for what he is, with true exact.
ness, whether his strong identity elicits the
hostility Of foes, or the attachment Of
friends. He is man Of bone and mus.
Gle and nerve. and whether parties may
oppose or support, there is substance oil
through him, whereon enemies can bring
to bear their opposition. or friends can.
base their confidence and esteem. He 10
man of mark, and he proves his title to
being so considered, by every testimony
admissible in the case. ''' ''{ - :,
That cannot be said Of his prominent
opponent. Mr.. Stanbery has not elected
single impulse Of enthusiasm in friend or
foe. He is not character Of strong indi-
viduality. There is not the assurance Of
public serviceableness or indispensable
utility in anything he has ever said or
done. He might live thousand years or
not live one year more, and the great com.
munity would be alike Indifferent in either
event. We do moi deny that he is man
of fine legal attainments. Of persuasiveness
with court or jury, but he is what wholly
units him for a widely representative po.
sition. He contains no extensive force,
and versatility has no home in his charac-
ter. The courthouse and the study are
his universe, and while thus exclusive, even
in this confined sphere he bears about him
no over-commanding superiority .lt "
We might pursue the parallel lii.lo
farther, but want of space forbids A
glance at the career of Mr.. Pugh will serve
10 illustrate further his fitness for position
in which the varied interests OF numer.
Gus people are to be projected, and whore
these are more or less modified by variety
of popular temper, and the changes Of
progress; where practical and temporary
considerations Of public policy must and
should be consulted, to prevent their con.
suling themselves, as well as where the
incumbent must constantly remember the
behests of abstract eternal and unchange-
! able principles of justice, law and right
Mr.. Pugh was admitted 10 the bar in
l843, we believe. He has always been
remarkable for profound legal learning,
quick perception, indomitable energy, and
his influence with the jury. He left lu-
cra,ive practice in the Spring Of l847, and
, went as Captain Of a company, in Col.
! Brough's Regiment ofthe Ohio Volunteers,
TO Mexico. He attracted the attention of
Gen. Lane, who appointed him as aid-de-
camp, and was with General Lane in all
those battles which gave him the title ofthe
"Maron Of the Mexican War" His con.
duct throughout was tl,a, of brave SOL
dier. an efficient officer, and one always
restless when action was needed, and new.
er content but when on duty.
On his return. the Democratic party Of
Hamilton county selected him for the
House OF Representatives, to fight for them
the battle which all foresaw must grow out
OF the existing apportionment difficulties,
unless our party was willing to surrender
to measure, the prominent purpose Of
which was their disfranchisement We
only appeal to public recollection, as to
the manner in which Mr. Pugh discharged
his momentous duties. in scenes well cal.
culated to test the frmness and integrity
Of the sternest. Every day OF that memo.
rable session OF the ONO Legislature was
one Of contest. and every contest was
triumph. 1t was no light thing 10 parici.
pate in the striies of that winter, for the
partisans OF the great measure of the day
were men who had been selected with
special reference to their pre- eminent abb.
ity. polemical skill. and for eloquence and
learning. With Spencer. an Ohs. and
a Giddings 10 forily the efforts of lead
ing parry in the struggle for political life
and death, few men would have been will.
ling 10 hazard combat certain from the
beginning to be so bitter, so protracted,
and in many respects so unequal. Let
the result, and its still accommodating con-
sequences, speak as to the prowess Of the
! victor. '-o ".bt ftHaf
Mr.. Pugh was returned to the House the
session following, by large majority, in
wtich tne people trlumphed over pollti.
clans. During his legislative services, no
measure OF any interest. whether local or
general. was acted upon. which did not No.
ceive his laborious attention His chsrao.
ter is that rare one in which brilliant gen.
Jus and tireless industry are combined. -
Though he was always ready in debate.
no matter how extemporaneous its bearing,
Mr.. Pugh was never at loss for exact in
formation at every point. He was never
a man 10 rely upon the inspirations Of the
moment for the force Of arguments upon q
question Of meterial tendencies, though no
more eloquent voice was overheard il the
Representative Chamber. Besides his ex.
haustess fund Of practical information,
Mr.. Pugh is unquestionably one upon
| whom nature has conferred the uucom.s
unn 0ilf of fytie eloo,,apo.if NJ i...l. !.