North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-06-21
From the Indiana State Sentinel

venhon: " nhS - ~ choice of Indiana,it isl
verv certain that should he receive "'o e 80 So
he would receive the eecoIa, w Ta,;onaI Conven
Whatever NAV be the result OF the Na.Ioai I: H.
80; ,va heI;eye that should Judge Douglass i've. ne
v;i3 At no distant day. be President OF the on''ee
States. -. - ,hs town of Bran
.Iaad county, Vermont, on the 2Sd OF APi,''
19I2 and is consequently 50 years OF age. ~ Tvas
or an eminent physician, died wneh osrS one ",h.
onIv ruo months old, leaving the mot"e i nu IN
lila dauuhter, in rather limited clIcuuStan
IT. mother shortly afterwards went 70 ieslue WIN
an unmarried BROTHER on iaLm III one ~ w.
of the Green Mountains, where, ny Piaott0i"S sys
"a - in6nstry and rigid economy, she was enabled
=. I've her SON the ordinary rudnents OF an English
W s.,;o, Tn the mea time he worked on the farm
- HE nncle His uncle not having the means OF
,,cinu him in college, at the age OF htteeL ne COM
menced learning the business OF a cabinet maker.
Reinu naturally ofan ingenious turn OF mind he made
nt nro6ciencv in the new business, but at the end
81 two wears he was compelled to abandon his trade
IN account of feeble health. About this time his
mother married Gahezi Grainger OF ontario county
New York. Stephen accompanied his mother thIth-
err and shortly afterwards entered the Canandaig9a
academy, under the direction of Professor Howe. lie
remained some time. whist engaged In ms e1asS ISL,
in the Office of MIR. Hubbell. He was democrat,
and although minor, and not entitled 10 Vole ne
defended the administration OF Gen jackson rom 'ne
assaults of the Wing and anti Masonic party, in
manner that astonished older heads Indeed whilst
an apprentice Vermont on the day of the Presden-
tial election of 1923, he headed company of Dem
ocratic BOYS and tore down the coffin hand bills that
had been posted up by the opposite party.
In 1888 he set his face westward in search OF
location where he might practice his profession when
his studies should be completed. His first stopping
Mace was Cleveland, Ohio, where he entered the law
office of Sherlock l. Andrews, Esq, as student and
clerk. He was soon however Frustrated by Sickness
which continued for many months. W hen he lecov-
cred, his mother urged him TO return home. where
hearty welcome awaited him. But his purpose had
been avoweG-he had set his face westward In search
of future home, and he determined to " tread no
steps backwards" He left Cleveland and travelled
by the way of Cincinnati, Louisville, ST. Louis to
Jacksonville, Illinois, where he was compelled TO
STOP His funds by this time were reduced to thlr-
ty-seyen cents. There he was, youth of twenty
years of age feeble in health, small in STATURE weigh
ing not more than one hundred and twenty pounds,
surrounded by strangers-not single person IN the
county that he had ever BEFORE his situation
have been embarrassing. But blessed with temper
and disposition that never desponds he Immediately
started in search of employment.
He travelled on foot to the town OF w lncheSter
about l6 miles from Jacksonville, where he found
employment for three days as the clerk of sale. at
two dollars day. He then engaged to teach the
village school, and spent his evenings reading
old law books which he borrowed from citizen. In
March, 1884, he licensed to practice law. His
first efforts in his profession were remarkably
successful, may be judged from the fact that In less
than wear he was elected Prosecuting Attorney
the late Col. John ]. Harden, who fell the bloody
field of Buena Vista. In 1886 he elected to the
Legislature, member from the county of Morgan,
and took his the following December, the young
est man in the body. 1t was unfortunate session
for Illinois, and it fell to the lot of young Douglas
to breast the storm of speculation and the mania of
banking that swept not only over the Prairie State.
but the entire West. He opposed the extension of
the bank capital, and the dangers which he boldly
pointed out, although unheeded at the time,
realized in the disastrous failure of the whole system.
In 1888 he nominated by the democrats
didate for Congress in the third district which en-
braced the whole northern half of Illinois, Al the
time of his nomination he ineligable but as he
would become 25 years of age before the election, he
accepted the nomination and entered on the canvass.
The contest was severe Thirty-six thousand
votes were cast, and Mr.. Douslas defeated by
Mr.. Stuart, the old member, by five votes.
The election being over he returned to his profess
sion. In 1910 he devoted the entire summer the
Presidential election, attending meetings and address,
ing the people throughout the entire Stale, and TO his
exerons and the power of his eloquence, more than
any other cause, is to be attributed the success of
Mr.. Van Buren, in Illinois.
In December 1910, he appointed Secretary of
State, and in the following February he elected
by the Legislatures Supreme Judge. In 1913 he was
elected to Congress- and took his the opening
of the 29th Congress. His first effort in support
of the bill to refund the fine imposed Gen. Jack
for the declaration of martial law al New Orleans.
He had not spoken before, and being young and al
most unknown he at first attracted particular at
tenton, but as he began to warm with his subject,
the House became silent, the members gathered
around him. The venerable Ex-President Adams
from his seat and for the first time enquired the
name of the young man, and Immediately predicted
for him brilliant destiny. The is low vivid
before us-at one moment he poured out the burning
lava of his Indignation on the Judge at the he
pointed to the patriot chief, who looked only the
safety of the city and the glory of his country taking
for his guide thai higher law, the law of necessity
From this he stood first in the list of able de-
baters in Congress. Ever ready and always prepared
to meet his adversary. He reelected by an in
creased majority, and served the 29th Congress
and again elected TO the Both, but before taking
his seat elected TO the United States Senate His
brilliant career is known all readers. AS chair
man of the committee Territories he has ever been
active and jealous. But the limits of this notice
ed as hrIef iSfo IF hico
ly life will not warrant US in detailing review oil
his course.
In lS47 he was married to Miss Martha Martin
daughter of Col. Robert Martin, of Rockinpham
county, North Carolina. She is cousin of David S
Reid, the present worthy governor of that State. He
now resides at Chicago, Illinois,
Such is the brief history of Stephen A. Douglas
His rise from obscurty to eminence has been rapid
indeed. lndomitable energy and honorable ambition
were the seeds that produced the fruits.
The bold and fearless advocate of Democratic prin
clPes he shuns no responsibilities fears no adver
sary. bright future awaits him.
SCENE IN JUSTICE ROOM. The Hartford Time
vouehes for the following story:
Fat Malone, you are fined five dollars for assault
and battery Mike Sweeny.'
I've the money in my pocket, and I'lI nav th
fine if yer honor will give me the resate'
We give no receipts here: We lust take III,
money You will not be called on a second time 70
your fne.' "Aie ~
But, yer honor, I'll not be wanting TO nav III
same without get a resate' "
What do you with it?'
If yer honor will write one and rive II 70 mo
will tell you , --..e.- - 80. " ~ '"e'
Well, there is your RECENT Nou, ,,h,t a..