The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-08-22
VOLUME 81, No II
BIoGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF ..--,.
GENERAL JOSEPH LANE,
OF OREGON.


President of the United States, is one, of the
most remarkable men ofthe abe His history
is fine illustration Of the genius Of our insti-
,utions, and demonstrates that the high places
of honor and distinction are accessible to all
who possess ability, energy and perseverance.
General Lane descended from Revolutionary
ancestors; was burn in the State Of North Car
olina, on the 14th of December. 1901. In 1904
his father EN- igrated with his family TO Ken
tGcky, where the hero and statesman was rear
ed and educated. Having received substantial
education he removed to Indiana and settled on
the banks OF the Ohio,in the county of Vanden-
burgh, where, without the adventitous aid oil
fame, family or fortune, he worked his way
from an humble plowboy and fatboatnan on
The Mississippi to his present distinguished po-
stion. e..a
If any man can be styled man OF the people
General Lane is truly that man. Through a
period Of more than quarter ofa century the
people have evnced their admiration for the
sterling honesty Of his character, the strength
of his intellect, and his pure and unselfish pat
riotism by clothing him with trusts of greatre-
sponsibility and honor, which he has performed
with signal ability and success. With strong
intellect and mind eminently practical, with
an honest, manly, and generous heart, its every
pulsaton beating in sympathy with the masses,
he won the admiration and confidence of the
peoplso of Indiana to such degree that unso-
licited, before he was twenty one years of age,
they elected him to the Legislature over their
former Representatives who was an able and ex-
perienced legislator and had been Speaker Of
the House of Representatives Of the Slater
The strong ami practical mind Of the youth
ful Legislator, taking eliberab judi,ious, and
statosmanliI1e view fall questions affecting
State or national interests, VIII ich he enforced
with a persuasive elcquence, soon made him one
Of tie mastcrspigits Of the Legislature, when
the people were anxious to elevate him to still
higher posts in the National Councils, but hav-
ing no heritage but poverty and an honest name,
with large and increasing family to support
and educate, he had to forego higher honors and
a wider field Of usefulness to his people. lie
continued, however, to represent the people eth
er in the House or the Sena to oftfe State for
nearly aquarter ofa century. Naea
Ills name is indissolubly connected with some
of the most important measures which develop
ed the resources. advanced the prosperity, and
improved the finances Of the State, especially
his able and successful Efforts to preserve un-
tarnshed the public faith, and to prevent the
reputation ofthe public debt, which was bold
ly advocated by some o. the strongest men in
Indiana. ........4-. ... ....
When the Mexican war broke out General
Lane was q member of the State Senate, and
when reqnslton was made upon Indiana to
furnish volunteers for the war, obcdient to the
call OF patriotism, he resigned his place in the
Senate and volunteered as apriyate for the war.
When the comp panies assembled to organize and
elect ofliccrs such was their unbounded
confidence in Joseph Lane, that they elected
him colonel of their regiment, although he had
seen no military Service either as soldier or
an officer Before he could put his regiment in
motion; President Polk illustrated his sagacity
by sending hima commission as Brigader Cen
eral, a compliment as unexpected as it was un-
solicited by General Lane. -a
The opponents Of the Administration and oI
the war, throughout the country, denounced and
iidculed the appointment declaring that he
might make a good general Of the aAtboatmen
on the Mississippi river, but that the idea OF 10
Lane, who had never commanded a company in
his life, taking command oil brigade in war was
simply ridiculous; that he would disgrace him
self his State and the nation. Thus the plain
humble volunteer without prestige or prcten
ton, amidst the jeers and taunts the Mexican
synpathizers, set his brigade in motion for the
theatre o., ,theswar, where he not only ialsified
all the predictions Of his enemies and realized
the most sanguine expectations Of his friends
butjwona fame for daring galantry and sue
cessful generalshp which has linked his name
with the brightest history Of his conntry's re
nown, while his generosity to the yanquishec
and solictude for and care Of the sick and dis
abled made him universally popular with tht
soldiers and officers Of the army who, scattered
all over the Union, are burning to signaizt
their appreciation Of his worth, by browning hin
with the highest of earthly honors.
In less than three weeks after General Lane
received his commission, he was at the seat 0
war with all his troops. In communicating hi
arrival to General Taylor, he wrote him thus
THE brigade ! have the honor to command il
generally IN good health and fine spirits, anx
ious TO engage in active service" n wtslg4
The indomitable energy, the self-sacri6cin
spirit, the sound Judgment, and firm purpos,
which he displayed in the active service Of civi
life, were eminently conspicuous in all the stir
ring scenes Of battle, blood and carnage, through
which he passed illustrated by adaring braver.
and heroism, which placed him among the mos
distinguished heroes Of that memorable war
10 recount the battles in which General Ian
was engaged, the dangers to which he was ex
posed, the brave deeds he performed, the skill an
with judgment which he planned his battles,an
unyarying success with which he fought th
them, would consume more space than we have t
spare. Such was the celebrity of his movement
the skill and stratageln 0 his plans, the bold
ness and rapidity OF theirexecution, and the en-
thusiasm and courage with which lie INSPIRE
his men, by his1impassoned appealsa.to the
valcf, as they visited the most fearful slaughte
ti.fa A L / -.