The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-11-18
FROM JLLINoIs.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL, Nor. 8, 1858,

SPRINGFIELD, ILL, Noc. 8, 1858.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
The results of the election in this State show
that Mr. Douglas will be returned to the U. s.
Senate We had hoDed and expected differ
emily, but the fame @ the man, the sympathy
he had enlisted outsis,e of the State by all par
ties opposed to the Administration, the unequal
apportiOnment of the,State, inuring very much
to his benefit, the ola party machinery mostly
in the hands of his 9riends, and the immense
Irish vote flooding the weaker counties, and all
in his favor, was too much for the Republicans.
he also had the larger portion of the Ameri-
can element of the State, who, ever Indifferent
about Slavery and frightened about Abolition
ism, voted for him in the very face of the fact
that they had united with the Republicans, and
in this their strongest district had secured the
nominations The losses Mr.. Douglas sus-
tanned during the canvass consisted only of
those who believed he would take high states
man-like grounds, DISCUSS questions after the
style of Clay and Webster, not descend to
abuse and Misrepresentation, those who may
be termed conservative, and would willingly ac-
cept any middle mGn of great and exalted
character. In. this they were mistaken he
still addressed himself through the whole can
vass to the unthinking masses, brought down
caps of applause only when Abolitionist, Ne
gro Amagamation,l Black Republican, and
similar phrases, were. uttered-only when some
hit. or flaw, OF indeed Islander, could be fasten-
ed upon an opponent. Such were his tactics,
and it has been mooted question among
those who had never previously heard him,
wherein his great strength lies; but history
shows that animal power and activity, united
with unfagging enssgy, are necessary ingre
dients to great leaders.
NJ .nocl,, he 10 nc ,pAo
ible political integrity. His enemies say tina,
he is too open, too honest, to succeed And
indeed his speecheswere very much occupied
in defending himself and party from the sheer
clap-trap of Douglas and his presses, in which
the people got mazd and confused--the sole
purpose these willy ennscrunulous antagonists
had in view. Mr.. Li,,coln speaks of Slavery as
a man who has a soul; believes in progress
sees with prophetic insight that Slavery mus,
cease its extensions and sggra1dizements, and
that he may be an humble instrument under
Providence to furthes this design.
We have never seen eloquence surpass his
when his ungainly ..orm would step back OF
the rostrum, and, hi..up with spiritual fire, en-
large upon the Declaration of independence
or the basphemous Indifference with which his
foe would treat human rights, the voting in OF
out of Slavery, as boys draw straws from each
otiCt udhuo' anu Ntt MI iiuCOiH 10 liit
most conservative ef men, reared in slave
State, not hair of |, shareholders head would
he do other than 9efend if assaulted, within
their own legitimate and rightful ground. Mr.
Lincoln is man of Very great ability few men
in the nation would willingly encounter him in
debate. We have card many public men in
all parts of the ulion, and think, for clear
statement, the simIffying of difficult points
taking into consideration his rectitude and sin
gleness of purpose, h. is our choice. The pub
lie would exalt itsef by his election to their
trusts. He has that plebeian straightforward
ness that does not re pei the commonest person
or understanding, which is ever the pride Of
the great body of the people, and holds the
respect of the most gifted and enlightened; in
proof of which, he hts carried the popular vote
of this State against he immense odds we have
cited. 1t is full trne this nation accepted
these men, instead q the animal force, selfish
and designing char>cters, who have hitherto
shone too much inapistory. The Democracy
of the country cannot depend upon Illinois in
the next great Presidential battle the popular
vote is strongly inclined the other way. And
there must be an abandonment Of freeating
at the South, and acceptance of Free-Soil sen
timents at the North, that we cannot expect
the party to secure, if it be not wholly incom
patibe with Its existence, within the mex
eighteen months.