Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1860-10-10

he contest was between OOuSlaS ana
Lincoln. Which should we choose? He
was not here to attack an opposing candi-
date, bat supposed that = man ought to
have some standing as statesman to quail
fy him to take the helm Of State. The
o pinions and actions of our Government
were closely watched abroad. Our relations
with the world were such that it had be-
come the fixed opinion Of the masses Of
our country that no man was fit for the
Presidency unless he is a man of tried ex.
periencc and able craftsmanship. Mr., Lin
coin served one term in Congress, but in no
manner or measure there distinguished him.
self For anything in his favor we search
the Congressional records in vain.
'On the other hand, the Democratic
party, feeling the weight Of the responsible
ity resting upon it, and with a readiness to
meet it-have given a Candidate, whose
name 70 American can speak but with
pride--5tephen A Douglas! cloud and
long applause.
Twenty years ago elected to the Supreme
Bench in Illinois seventeen years ago a
member Of Congress, he went into tho House
to meet Droomgole, Wise, 1ngersoll, Win
thrope, Barnard and host Of other able
men-a galaxy of statesmen of all parties.
Not month elapsed before the young rep
|resentative of the West made his maiden
speech. The speaker heardi it. 1t took the
House by surprise, and at once placed the
man in the first rank of able debaters.-
That speech was on the resolution to refund
to General jackson fine imposed upon
him for taking measures to defend New
Orleans against the British in 1915. 1t
drew from the shades of the Hermitage
from the dying hero = response of thanks
to the young Democrat Of the west, who
had come up to vindicate his honor and re-
store to him his due. From that day
Douglas continued to advance, and his pro.
erosion has continued till now he stands
like the sun at midday, in full orb, admit
ted to hold the position heIisb entitled TO-
His efforts to sustain ,iricountry and party
rim the Mexican War need not be recounted,
or the part he took in tho Senate debate on
the compromise measures Of 1850, or the
support he gave the Kansas and Nebrasks
bill in 1854, nor to his latter defense d
Popular Sovereignty under adverse cir
cum stances. They are written in the great
|historylof the country, to be read forever.
Our people look upon Douglas like othot
men, and seize upon his career, and draw il
home. to their hearts IS : part Of them.
selves. Wherever our candidate goes, be
is taken by the hand, and the, people cling
to him as d brother-feel that his reputa-
ton is theirs. The American seaman who
first carried up the Thames to London the
flag Of this country. felt that sort Of pride
when he raised the stars and stripes at his
mast head. When hailed by the British
sentinel, and asked what flag he carried,
the Yankee replied, "The flag of Bunker
Hill, and the land Of Washington" Ire
imendous cheering.] Not man who has
the heart Of an American citizen-no mat
ter to what party. he be:ongs--treading on
our own or foreign soil and asked who is the
candidate who holds the hearts Of our poo
ple-but would respond, Stephen A. Doug
las! There he is, the experienced debater,
the able statesman, the self-made man, the
incorruptible patriot! i 1t is left in the
hands Of the people to write his name on
that scroll Of Democratic Presidents. which
stands at the head of this Republic!'' -.