The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-07-06

lutions handed them to Douglas, telling him
that the opportunity now presented to make an
impression was an extraordinary one, and
should not be neglected, and was Of snch per-
sonal Importance to him (Douglas) that he
ought not to allow it to pass. At all events,
it was soon ascertained that unless he present.
ed them they would not be offered at all. The
meeting having been organized, Douglas bold
ly advanced, stating that he held in his hands
certain resolutions which he supposed would
meet the approval of all Democrats these res
olutions he then read, and, in brief speech,
explained and supported them.
As soon as he had taken his seat, Josiah
LambOrn, Esq. lawyer of considera BILE repu
tation, subsequently attorney general of the
State, Wing, and man of great personal in
fuence, followed in opposition to the resOlu-
tions. He was severe and caustic in reference
to Mr.. Douglas, and fatty contradicted a state
ment of fact made by him. He addressed the
meeting for some time. Douglas Immediately
arose, and at once applied himself to reply to
Lamborn. The question of fact he soon dis
posed! Of by calling up several Wings, who de.
hour or more addressed the meeting in his own
peculiar style. The effect was irresistible.
LambOrn precpitately left the room and when
Douglas concluded his speech, the excitement
of the meeting had reached the highest point OF
endurance cheer upon cheer was given with
uedTIy VlgOT luo crown SWdyeu u duu iTO w
get near the orator, and at length he was seized
by them, and, borne on the shoulders and up.
held by the arms of a dozen of his stalwart ad-
mirers was carried out of the court house and
through and around the public square with the
most unbounded manifestations of gratitude
and admiration. He was greeted with varied
MIA Se
yet" "Little Giant, (which last title, origi-
mating at this first public occasion of his de-
fence of Democratic principles, is yet, with re.
newed confidence in its appropriateness, ap-
piled to him by his friends.
Such was the first appearance of Stephen A.
Douglas on the theatre of Illinois politics.
theatre that for twenty-five years has been3the
constant scene of unbroken triumphS. As on
his first appearance he was borne in triumph
upon the shoulders of his admiring hearers, so
for quarter of a century since then, he has
been borne upon the hearts of most generous
people. He has made their cause his cause,
and, in return, they have made his cause theirs.
This speech had great effect upon the
fortunes of DOUGLAS. 1t drew the atten-
ton of veteran politicians to him, and in the
same year, before he was twenty-five years
old, he was elected by the Legislature States
Attorney for the first judicial district, over
the we'll known JOHN D. HARDIN. In 1886,
he was elected to the Legislature, in an op-
position county. In 1887, he was appointed
by President VAN buren, register of the
land Office at Springfield, Illinois. In No
vember of the same year, he received the
Democratic nomination for Congress, al
though he was then under twenty-five years
of age, and consequently ineligible. He
attained the requisite age, however, before
the day of election, which was in August
1888. At this election upward of $4,000
votes were cast, of which Mr.. DOUGLAS re-
ceived majority. About twenty votes
we're rejected by the canvassers, because in
them the name of Mr.. DOUGLAS was spelled
incorrectly. The bubble was a most un-
worthy one, and would not stand at this
day. AS it was the Wing candidate was
declared to be elected by majority of only
five votes; and the election was everywhere
regarded as triumph of Mr.. DOUGLAS.
This canvass placed DOUGLAS in the front
rank of the statesmen of Illinois but after
the election be withdrew from politics, and
devoted his attention to his profession until
the 9th of January, l84l, when he was
elected Secretary of State. One month
later, he was chosen by the Legislature one
of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the
State, when he removed to Quincy. His
district was the Mormon district, and one
trying scene of his judicial career will suf-
fee to illustrate the difficulties attending
the administration of justice at that day, in
Illinois
Joe Smith had been indicted for some offence,
and was put upon his trial before Judge Doug
las. While the case was proceeding, the peo-
pie, who had collected from all parts of the
country to see the prisoner, and, as they hoped,
to rejoice at his conviction, became excited by
the thousand stories told of Mormon outrages.
Smith was represented to be, as he was in fact,
the moving spirit OF the sect, and it was sup
posed that if he we're put out of the way, the
entire settlements, being deprived OF their
leader, would break up and leave the country.
Moreover, Smith was by the populace held in
dividually responsible for all the crimes charged
against his people. On this occasion the null.
titude had become greatly excited, and it be-
ing whispered that the evidence would hardly
justify conviction, it was proposed by some
one to enter the Court House, seize the prison.
er, and hang him. A gallOws was constructed
and erected in the Court House yard, and
body of four hundred men entered the Court
House for the purpose of taking Smith and
hanging him. As mob boisterOusly and tn.
multuOusly entered and crowded toward the
bench, near which Smith sat, the judge direct
ed the sheriff to clear the court room. as these
men interrupted the proceedings. The sheriff,
a small, weak man, requested ''the gentlemen
to keep order and to retire, and attempted to
enforce the request, but very soon informed the
court that he could not do it. Gaining conf.
dence by the confession of powerlessness on
the part of the sheriff, and maddened still more
by the sight of the prisoner, several of them
climbed over the bar, and rush led toward Smith.
The judge at once rose in his place, and address
ing by name a large built man, who stood six
and halffeet high, a Kentuckian by birth, and
of great muscular strength, said, II appoint
you sheriff of this court. Select your own de.
puties, and as many of them as you require.
Clear this Court House the law demands it,
and |, as judge of this court, command you to
do your duty as citizen bound to preserve the
peace and enforce the laws" The newly and "a.
Their suddenly appointed sheriff "Obeyed or
ders." He ordered the crowd to leave, the
judge encouraging him all the while. The first,
second, and the third who refused to quit the
court room were instantly knocked down by
the powerful arm of the Kentuckian. Others
were thrown out of the windows by him and
his deputies, and the great crowd, baffled and
discouraged by the repulse of the leader,