The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1854-12-30
Otta(pa trts TraNtr
OTTAWA, DECEMBER %, 1881


We cony to-day articles from the Joliet
Signal and Kane County Democrat, in refer
eence to L. S. Senator, both of which papers
strongly urge the reelection of Gen. Shields
We give these articles rs correct index Of
the feeling of the democracy Of northern
Illinois on the subject and by the term tie
mocracy we include those who accepted as
well ms those who rejected the Nebraska
issue as a test. The papers referred to took
opposite views on the question; yet earnest,
as are all democrats, in their desire to pre-
serve The integrity Of the democratic party,
aud regarding in Il fair and liberal light the
action of Gen. Shields in reference to that
measure, in the inception of which he had no
hand and for which he cannot he held re-
sponsible, and backed as he was in his vote
!. by instructions from his own State, they
cannot see the justice of consistency, nor
can we, in making the question a test against
him, when SO many of these same dcmocrts
repudate its application as a test to them
selves.
Beside the Nebraska question is admitted,
for NIL practicable purposes, to be at rest
Even Col. Benton, than whom the bill had
no more ardent opponent, now admits this,
as will be seen by speech of lis published
on the outside of to-day's paper, so that the
proposed Cor rather by the wings desired
prescription Of Gen. Shields could have no
other practical effect than to accomplish
piece of political injustice, which from his
many personal sacrifices and distinguished
public services would be ungcnerous, and,
on his part, most undcserycd.
Have our people forgotten the history OF
Cen Shields? From the day he first enter
ed public life in our state to this, he not only
faithfully and ably discharged every duty
assigned him, but he has done it in man
ncr in nearly every case uncqualIcd by his
predecessors or compecrs in the same Office.
As Auditor of Public Accounts of our state,
he was the first to bring order out Of confu-
sion and reduce the Office to system and
we all remember how, by his single efforts,
and without addition to our taxes or means,
our state finances were placed on basis
that led to our ultimate liberation from finan-
cial thraldom. As Judge Of the Supreme
and Circuit Courts have we ever had his
superior? As Commissioner Of the General
Land Office at Washington, the brief term
of his service marks a new era in that com
plicatcd branch of the public service, and
raised it from chcfclerkship to the dignity
of a bureau. Then rcsigning that lucrative
and honorable position in which lie had
added so much to his reputation, we find
him, at his country's call, q volunteer in the
war with Mexico. As Brgadicr General
during that eventfu struggle, need we re-
count his tolls, his suilerings, his heroic SER
vices and brilliant achievements? Do they
not form one Of the pages of our country 5
history: Charging at the head Of his com.
mand in many desperate engagement, his
men ever inspired with his own enthusiasm
and inyncible courage, we find him yet com
bining consumate discretion and skill with
irresistible impctuosity, and always cmerg-
ing from the smoke and din Of battle ycto-
rious. Twice wounded so as to be pronoun-
cod mortal. he has survived. only by miracle
and at a cost which, who can estimator
Broken down in constitution, with a mutila-
ted and shattered frame, he is in all save
mind the mere wreck of his former self
Returning from that war he was called to
enter the service of his country in less
shining, but surely not less useful field
Has ever state been more ably represented
in the U. 5. Senate than Illinois by Gen.
Shields. II his services in the field were
more marked and brilliant, they were Ger
tainly not more honorable and useful than
they have been in the Senate. Without re-
ferring to particular measures, for the list
would be endless, what act, appropriation,
or grant for our state, asked by Gen. Shields,
has been deniedg But ever watchrul Of the
interests of his own constituents, they have
formed small part of the immense labor he
has necessarily performed. None but those
who have had opportunity ~ witness him in
his daily round Of duty can appreciate his
untiring, pcrscvering and indomitablc bust
ness habits. The legislative business in
which his own state is interested, requiring
ceaselcss vigilence the herculcan labors of
the military committee, nearly all Of which
dcvolvc upon his own shoulders; the ten
thousand letters in reference to mail routes,
post offices, applications for appointments,
&c, &C., constantly demanding attention +,
these certainly, one would think, are enough
to fill up the list of any ordinary mans
duties; but there is another class with which
Gen. Shields is still more severely taxed and
which he owncs entirely to, rs they speak
the noble generosity and goodness of his
heart. We know personally that, daily and
hourly, he is besiged by pensioners, broken
down soldiers, and the widows and poor or
phans Of those who have died in the service
of their country-pcrsons too poor to hire
the agency Of others, and who, knowing his
kindness Of heart, have made of him sort
Of general agent; and so far from receiving
pay of them, we know that, poor as he is,
he has often shared his days pay with them.
il is 10y constant acts like these, and his
uniform courtesy and amcniiy of manners,
that he has eNtortcd from political oppo-
nont-no less distinguished than the Hon. j.
NJ Clayton-his opposite on almost every po-
litical qucstion-.hat compliment which VIC
recently published, and than which no states
man ever received one more noble or honor
able from his living compecr Differing
with him on nearly every question, and for
eigner as he is by BIRTH said Mr.. c., chad
an hundred votes, | would cast them all
for the reelection Of James Shields to the
Senate
And is this the public scrvant--a man