Washington sentinel., 1855-03-13
From the Western Democratic Review.
Hon Jesse ID. Bright.


There is much that is encouraging to the
young men of America in the historyof the
Hon. Jesse d. Bright, recently honored by the
Senate, with the position of Vice President of
the United States. 1t is stated in New York
paper that he was q Chenango boy,' born at
Norwich, Chenango county, New York, and is
43 years of age. David Graham Bright, his
father, removed many years since from some
Of the northern counties-Clinton, we believe
to Norwich, where he prosecuted mechanics
trade, and was made County Clerk under the
the old council of appointment. This Office he
held for q number of years, and his eldest son,
M. G. Bright-known as Graham-though
small boy, was an active assistant in the Office.
From Norwich Mr.. Bright removed to Indiana,
when the Senator was six or eight years of
age.'
From the above it will be seen that Indiana
has been the home Of Mr.. Bright from his
earliest boyhood, and here that character has
been formed that has enabled him to attain
that proud position he now occupies. When
Governor Bright came with his father to In
DIANA our educational faculties were not what
they are at present, and with the other youths
of the State, he encountered many obstacles in
obtaining an early education; but that indomi-
table energy and spirit which has enabled. him
to surmount all obstacles in the road of ad-
vancement, developed itself at a very early
period. He was thrown upon his own re.
sources, to great extent, and he has worked
his way up under circumstances that would
have been fatal to the progress Of most others.
He studied law with his brother, M. G. Bright,
and soon after he attained his majority be was
elected to the important Office Of Probate Judge
Of the county. In this election, thus early in
life, was signally developed the secret of his
continued success in after years. and his abb
lity TO draw men to his support under any cir
cumstances in which he may be placed. From
his earliest years he was the unwavering friend
and advocate of Andrew Jackson but he
lived in country that at that time Of his cleo.
ton to the office Of judge was largely opposed
to the old General His opponent was on the
strong side Of politics, and related to a num-
Der Of the most influential families of the
county, and it was sneeringy remarked, when
the youthful subject Of this sketch became a
candidate, that he had great presumption in
Offering his services. This remark, instead Of
intimidating him in his course, had an oppo-
site effect, and he entered the canvass with re-
doubled energy. He addressed the people over
the county, and succeeded in his election by a
handsome majority. About this time hc mar
ried q young lady in Kentucky--his present ac-
complished wife-and applied himself so sue
cessfully to the duties Of the Office to which he
had been elected, and the profession Of the
law, that he was rapidly attaining high emf.
nence, in legal knowledge, when he was APP
pointed by Mr.. Van Buren, Marshal Of the State.
The duties Of this important Office he was so well
qualified TO discharge, that he became very
popular with the court, the bar, and the people,
and when he was. removed from the Office to
make way for friend Of the Harrison admin
istration, the removal was regretted by very
many friends of the incoming party.
circumstance now occurred which paved
the way for Bright's almost immediate election
to the State Senate, from jefferson county.
The Wing candidates were in the field, and
neither were willing TO decline. The Demo
Gratis, seeing the advantage to be gained, nom.
mated Mr.. Bright in his absence, and without
his knowledge or consent. On his return
home, there was only two weeks until the cleo
tion. He had just been removed from lucra-
tive Office, and consequently had no great love
for the new administration, and was too good
Democrat to make any pledges to secure his
election. He was elected State Senator by
handsome majority, and was for two years
prominent member Of that body during which
time he was nominated as the Democratic can
didate for Lieutenant Governor. This election
came off in l843, and notwithstanding in 1910
Whig governor and lieutenantgovernor had
been elected by upwards Of thirteen thousand
majority, Mr.. Bright was elected by a majority !