The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1859-01-08
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OTTAWA, JANUARY 8, 1859.
REELECTION of Senator Douglas.


The telegraph wires brought the welcome
news on Wednesday Of the reelection on
that day Of Senator DOUGLAS by the legisla-
ture in session at Springfield. The news
was somewhat unexpected, as, on the pre-
lv;ous day, resolution had been introduced
n the Senate to bring en- the election on
Thursday. The republicans strove to put
off the election as far as possible and the de-
mocrats to bring it on carly as possible.
As a resolution in either House must lie over
one day under the rules, there seemed on
Tuesday no way open to get at the election
before Thursday. But by stroke of parIia-
mentary tactics, it appears the democrats
gained a day on their opponents by adopting
the resolution in the House on Tuesday be-
fore adopting any rules.
And thus is consumnated the great victo-
~ which the democracy ct Illinois so gallant
" won over the combined force of repubii
.eanism and the shameful interference OF
80 called democratic" national executive at
the November election. The people had sus'
tanned Douglas by their votes, and returned
. majority of eight in his favor to the legis-
tvre; but after that result was announced,
we were told that "Mr Buchanan had yet to
votc," and the majority in the legislature
might still be controlled. So much conf
in the potency of mr.. Buchanan's vote"
that even the Washington Union, his accre-
dited organ, steadily maintained that the re-
election Of Mr. Douglas, notwithstanding the
majority cleo ed to the Legislature in his IA
vor, was still doubtful Advances to members
elect, to max e good these representations,
were not wanting. Ike Cook, Pine, Hern
don, and that whole unhallowed buzzard
crew WHO are UNANIMOUSLY deputcd to speak
in the name Of the President IN Illir OILS, had
gathered in Springfield at the convenng OF
the legislature, fresh from Washington, with
their pockets full of documents from 'head
quarters" and ready to promise any thing
from a country post Office to a million Of
dollars for votes enough to defeat Douglas
At least two prominent democrats out Of the
legislature were approached TO know if they
were willing 10 take Douglas place, ifeaoush
democratic members could be bought off to
elect them with the combidcd vote of the re-
publicans. OF course the offers were indis-
nanty spurned. But so intent were Cook
and his crew on this business, and so conf
den, Of success, that they asked but weeks
time, and from the hour of their arrival in
Springfield they were in close caucus with
Judd. Lincoln, and other republican leaders,
whom they found willing enough instruments
to aid in gaining the time. 1t was for this
reason that :ho republican members, though
all present but one, refused te attend the
session Of either House On Monday. The
democratic caucus on Monday evening, how
ever, demonstrated that every man stood
firm as the rock of G!braltcr; that Ike
Cooks apperan, and JudI's ingenuity were
defeating Douglas was abandoned. It wss
for this reason that the revolutionary policy
adopted on Monday was abandoned, the le-
gslature organized without further opposi-
ton on Tuesday, and the election of Senator
precipitated on Wednesday.
Douglas now safely in the Senate with
new lease of SIX years, and the admin tra
tion spite and republican opposition de Gated
at every point, is it not time, in all reason,
that this suicidal and scandalous personal
warcfare on the man should CEASE? Thus
far the malignant opposition nc has met from
sLe President and such reckless politicians
as Bright, Fitch. SIid.lI, Cobb, &C., has only
served TO endear him tic more to the people.
Will they still persist in the FOOLS attempt
to read Doug!rs and the democracy Of Illinois
out OF the party?
If they viii, let them do it! If the dc
mocracy Of Illinois remain unit, as they
now are and we have no doubt will continue
to be, they can take care of themselves. No
democrat can be elected President Of the
U. S. without their aid. They stand on the
Cincinnati platform. They loyal to the
democratic organization Of their own State
and the Union. If they are thrust out Of
the Charleston Convention from the single
motive of personal hatred to Douglas, let
those who commit the foul deed take the
consequences. We can stand republican
President if they can. Let our watchword
then be UNION The union of the democ-
racy Of Illinois for the sake Of the democratic
party and the Union Of the States.
KANsAs-The telegraph dispatches for
the last few days have abounded with start