The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-06-07
Col. DiSSell.

Sympathy for Col. Bissell, on account Of
his long continued bodily atfiic.ion, has hi,
therto screened him from thorough over.
hauling of his political career for the last
four or five years. But since both himself
and his friends are now laboring to prove
the spinal disease of which he has suffered
is nearly overcome, and that his general
health is excellent; and since, furthermore
he has consented to become the standard
bearer of a powerful party in the approach.
ing political contest, any further deicacy in
canvassing his past political acts may with
propriety be dispensed with.
That Col. d. is second Washington or
Gen. jackson, or in any sense a model poll
tician, is proposition that never enlisted
extensive belief, That there is good reason
for i:crcdulity on this point, we can relate
one incident, the truth of which Col. b.
will not deny. While the Nebraska bill was
pending in congress, and about the time at
tcmpts were being made in the Illinois lesis-
lature to get up instructions in that body
against that bill, whispers became quite cur
rent at Springfield Gov. kerncr can proba-
bly, explain their sourcc) that Col. b. in
tended to vote against the bill and as Gen.
Shields had voted for it, and his time in the
senate was about to expire, quite little I'm.
derhanded movement was put afoot to get up
Col. B. as an anti Nebraska candidate for
senator against Gen. Shields. The matter
was telegraphed to Washington, and there
upon several democratic members Of con-
gress from Illinois called upon Col b., and
after a consultation, it was agreed to send
back despatch to Springfield stating that
Col. B. was in favor of. and. if his health
permitted, would be in the house and vote
tor the Nebraska BILL The despatch was
left with Col. Il. TO be forwarded. We are
not aware that anybody ever saw that des-
patch at Springfield. The democratic dele
CATION in congress from Illinois, however,
from that hour forth, rested in the full be-
lief that Col b. was with them, and counted
on his vote in the final trial, until the night
the bill finally passed when, imagine their
was called on the final vote, instead Of his
answering AYE" in his place, Col. WENT
WORTH arose, and stating that he had just
seen Col. T., was authorized to say that the
state Of his health rendered it impossible for
him to be present and give his vote, but if
he could be present, he should with great
happiness record his vote in the NEGATIVE !!
1t is this sort Of Punic faith IN Col. b.,
and this very incident, we presume, that
has promoted the following article which we
cut from the Peoria Press in reference to
Col. Is.
For more than two years Bssell's position
upon the leading issues Of the times has been
extremely doubtful. 1t is true, that during
that period, John Wentworth has frequently
volunteered as his organ, and placed him in
opposition TO the Nebraska bill, but Col.
Bissell himself furnished no aid or consola-
ton to the forces he has now consented to
lead. Many Of his former friends, WAC had
admired him for his advocacy Of state rights,
and his bold, uncompromising support OF
the fugitive slave law, and other measures
obnoxious to the black republicans, were
unwilling to suppose that ne would permit
himself to be used at this time to promote
the factious views of his old enemies and re-
viers. But he has at length taken position.
He has permitted himself 20 be placed where
Wentworth and his coadjutors wished to
place him-and there let him stand until he
and his present supporters are convinced, as
they will be in November, that the prestige
of brave deeds or great names o0nnot swerve
the true democracy from their duty to the
constitution and the Union.