The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-06-08
Is FAY Should E5x1cogn be Presi-

1t is very evident that the "Rspubi-
can newspapers are hard put to it for
something 10 say IN favor Of Mr. Lincoln.
His record as a statesman is blank. lie
has done nothing whatever in any execu-
tive, Judicial, or legislative capacity, that
should enntle him to public respect
There is not in all the history of his life,
any exhibition of intellectual ability and
attainments fitting him for the high and
responsible, post in the Government for
winch he has been nominated. When in
Congress, from 1917 10 1910, he was not
only not distinguished by any display Of
parliamentary talent, or by any special
service, but those who sat in tho same
Congress find it difficult TO remember that
any such person as Abraham Lincoln oc
cupied a seat on the floor. Ills contest
in 1858 with Mr.. Douglas for tie election
as United States Senator from Illinois is
the beginning Of his fame, and while he
showed III that controversy the rough
strength Of practiced stump speaker, and
the pluck Of u champion who enters the
ring with a crowd Of sturdy bacEers, be
exceeded eyon Seward in the extravaganza
Of his views respecting the Slavery ques-
ton, while his coarse language, his litter
ale style, and his vulgar and yituperatiye
personalities in debate, contrast very
strongly The elegant aud classical oratory
Of the eminent Senator from New York.
Bat the party organs think Lincoln is a
capital man for political canvass be-
cause, forsootl, he was once a lat-boat
man and rail.spitter. Now, we have
great and sincere respect for what are de
nominated selfmade men-tor men who,
sprincing from an obscure condition, and
struggling against adverse circumstances
in early life, manage, by the force Of nat
ural character aud heroic efforts, to rise to
honorable Independence and distinction.
We DO not derry TO Mr.. Lincoln the merit
Of having made good USE Of his opportuni-
ties aud means, and we should like to see
him enjoy all the just rewards of his man
IL industry and selt-reliaucc ana sefim
proyement. But there is a proper meas
are Of desert il these cases, which should
not be disregrrled. 1t does not by any
means follow that because an Individual
who beginning life az flat BOSNIAN and
wood-chopper, raises himself to tie posi-
ton Of . respectable County Court lawyer
aud a ready stump speaker is therefore
qualified to be President Of the United
States. There is no fitness or proportion
between the two things-between the
measure Of merit or title and the high and
arduous trust 10 be conferred. Iii much
more wise and logical to put the PROPOSE
ton thps-i il a man Is, in all essential re-
spects, emineGtly fitted for the President
ial Office, tie fact that he was once boat
man and a naulcr Of rails, is greatly to
his credit; but it will not do to say that
he is qualified to be and deserves to be
President, because, as a boy, ne split logs
and steered broad horn " on the Miss
issippi But the "RePublican " uewspa
per organs must accept the postuiate IN
the latter form, in order to suit the case
Of their candidate; and We shall doubtless
be asked to adopt it as safe and judi
cious rule for the election Of men to the
highest posts in the Government. But
will the people be cheated by such clap
trap? We think not.-Philadelphia
A'Uening Journal.