The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-08-23
From the Illinois State Register
Public Career of Stephen A. Douglas,
SenatOr IN Congress lrom IIllnnis.

Senator in Congress from Illinois,
Judge Douglas l. about 40 years Of age. lie
has been nearly 20 years in public lfe-aud Is
certainly better qualified now to bear the bur
dens, aud perform the labors which deyol,e on
the president than he will be twenty years
hence, or than any man over go years of age.
We extract the above from long article by
an lndlauan.
Judge Douglas is frequently characterized as a
Young man; aud 50 he l. If we measure life bv
ycars; but measured b, hi, term Of experience
aud distinguished public services, he can count as
long a life as any man in the nation.
knowing that correct account of the poltt-
cal career Of Judge Douglas would be accepta-
bic, not only to the people Of this state but the
entire Union, We submit the following as relia
bic statement:
Senator Douglas was born in Vermont, in A
pril, 1913, aud moved to Illinois in 1893, where
he commenced the practice of law. His warm
devotion to democratic principles, brought him
at once into favor with bis party which, added
to hs legal acumrn and fine uratorcal powers
induced the legislature to elect him states attor
ney, at the session Of ls3i-5 In this office he
won the unboundcd confidence of the public, aud
established upon firm foundation the great fame
which has followed him through his whole sub
,cquent career Hl- competitor Tor the office
was Col John j. Hardin, at that time, renowned
a. great lawyer and afterwards as a member
Of congress. aud one Of the heroes who tell at
| Bucna Vista,
! In 1886, he was elected to the Legislature from
Morgan county, at that time ard now one of the
most populols counties IN Illinois and numbering
among its population some Of the most distln-
gui,hcd men in the state, In thi, position be i'm.
measuraby added to the brilliant name he had
! previously acquired.
In ls37 he was appointed register Of the Unit
ed States Land Office
o. IN s3s when be- was only 70 years Of age he
was nominated for congress by the democrati,
party. He took the stump against an able
competitor and was defeated only by fire votes
in district which gave, at the mex, election a
! ,rj,,J majority OF more than three Thousand, IN
regular party contest.
In 1870 he was appointed Secretary Of State.
Ia 1871 he was elected one Of the iudges .
the supreme court of the state, IN which capacity y
he performed both circuit and supreme court dG
ties, in n manner which gave complete satlstac'
ton to the people. His decisions, without eXcep
ton, both ~ the inferior and superior court, wcr,
marked by profound learning and u quick ant
correct conception Of the merits presented. W,
venture to assert that no political opponent vii
dare deny this proposition.
! In S43 be was elected to congress by $50 ma
jority in the Quincy district over most popula
Comprehensive district At that time, being con
-dcred hy the wings as their own
In 1914 he was reelected 10 Congress by NOR
than 500 majority
In 1916 he was again elected by more thai
1900 majority.
We have not space in this article to dwell ur
~ ihe great rllces he rendered the state ant
house Of con.rces. They are matter of history
and no patriot can recur 10 them without aC
hnowledgjng he hid no superior in energy, indus
try, and ability promoting the best interests {
his country.
At the session Of ls4G-7 he was elected to til
I United States senate for TX ears, the aCCepasc
Of which vacated his seat in the house Of repre-
Scutative-, and brought that sterling dcmocra
Col. Richardson into coustcs in his place
Ii would be supcrflUuus to record here th
thousand manifestation. Of great abilities, of pur
D democratic principles and OF jealous devotion
+ the mon, which have constantly marked his :,
. uatoria' service. The entire nation has observe
them all, and it is = source of Inehlble pride
hi, constituents, that his great worth Is acknow
. edged 10y the democratic party at large, throug
a very general connection Of his name with Il
u prc,ldvucy-lhe highest aud most honorable po
on earth
d The above is designed simply as an cpiome
T The political life of Senator Douglas II the ou
). line, were filled up no one could wonder that
/, ha. achieved SO high place in tie public estIm
t. tiun.
e Iu conclusion, we challenge the nation to sho
h parallel to Senstor Douglas as regards Il
c number and Importance Of the offices he has hcl
e and the energy and consistency he has display,
It IN the discharge Of every public trust. From Il
Il record we have given, it will te conceded, th
b. though youug in years he Is old in cxpercu,
0 and equal to the administration Of the highC
e. and most responsible Office known under our 6
IT, the avortc ut the mass Of the democracy of {
e, Union, AMI hl, popularity must inevitably
y crease, the more lis history is considered