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

the noliticaI conversations which took place at
every interval during the sale, and in the even
ings. gained for him respect and admiration
not generally extended to persons of his age.
The warmth and force, yet the perfect good
humor displayed by him in defence Of old Hick
ory' in those discussions, at once marked him
as . valuable acquisition to the one party, and
formidable opponent of the other. The old
farmers, who were jackson men because they
felt that Jackson was right, though unable to
argue the case with the Bankites, found in
Douglas an object of special admiration. They
expressed their willingness to serve him in any
way that was in their power. His three days
services as clerk of the auction yielded him six
dollars in money-n0 small sum in those days,
particularly when they constituted mans en-
tire fortune. His want of means, and his de.
sire to get school, were soon known, and as
soon canvassed among his new.fOund friends
and admirers and in a few days he was pro-
vided with school of forty pupils. at the rate
of three dollars each, per quarter! de en-
gagged to conduct this school for three months,
and, on the first Monday in December, 1883, he
commenced his labOrs.as teacher.
While teaching school, he devoted his even
ings and leisure time to the study of borrowed
books, and frequently, on Saturday afternoons,
acted as council before the Justices court in
Winchester. Before leaving Jacksonville, he
had filed his application before the Supreme
Court for admission to the bar. The proceeds
of his school, together with the fees obtained
for legal services before the justice of the
peace, justified him, at the end of three months
in giving up his school and in removing to
Jacksonville, where he opened an office for the
practice of the law.
On the fourth day of March, 1884, then lack.
ing some seven weeks of his ajority, he was
licensed as an attorney by the judges of the
Supreme Court. Little did those judges think,
wen they issued license to the STRIPPING who
stood before them on that bleak March day,
that in a few, very few years, he would be.
come the leader of a great growing and even
tually triumphant party, having for its aim the
reorganization of that court and the destruc-
ton of its political power; much less did they
suppose that, in seven years from that day up.
on which they granted him their license to
practice law he would be elevated by the al.
most unanimous voice of the representatives OF
the people to seat upon the same bench they
occupied, possessing the confidence and the
approval of the people to degree never pre-
viously enjoyed by any judge in the State of II.
linOis.
At Winchester, during the great canvass
of 1858, Mr.. DOUGLAS responded to an ad-
dress of welcome thus:
To say that am profoundly impressed with
the keenest gratitude for the kind and cordial
welcome you have given me, in the eloquent
and too partial remarks which have been ad-
dressed to me, is but feeble expression of the
emotions of my heart. There is no spot in this
vast globe which fills me with such emotions as
when come to this place, and recognize the
faces of my old and good friends who now sur.
round me and bid me welcome. Twenty-Five
years ago entered this town on foot, with my
coat upon my arm, without an acquaintance in
a thousand miles, and without knowing where
could get money to pay week board. Here
made the first six dollars ever earned in my
life, and obtained the first regular occupation
that ever pursued. For the first time in my
life then felt that the responsibilities of man.
hood were upon me, although was under age,
for had none to advise with, and knew no one
upon whom had right to call for assistance
or for friendship. Here I found the then set
tiers of the country my friends-my first start
citizen, but my first election to public office by
the people was conferred upon me by those
whom l am now addressing, and by their faith
ers. A quarter of q century has passed, and
that penniless boy stands before you, with his
heart full and gushing with the sentiments
which such associations and recollections ne.
cessarily inspire.
In the midst of that portion of his speech,
in which he was indicating the doctrine of
popular sovereignty, applicable to the Ter
ritories, one of his early friends exclaimed,
in a loud voice, "SrEPHEN, you shall be the
next PRESIDENT" to which Mr.. DOUGLAS
instantly replied:
My friend, appreciate the kindness of heart
which makes you put forth that prediction, but
will assure you that it is more important to this
country, to your children and to mine, that the
great principles which we are now discussing
shall be carried out in good faith by the party,
than it is that l or any other man shall be
President of the United States. Three cheers.]
l am also free to say to you that whenever the
question aries. with me whether shall be ele.
waited to the Presidency or any other high po.
sition, by the sacrifice of my principles, will
to take care of itself. Three cheers.] have
always admired that great sentiment put forth
by the illustrious Clay, that he would rather be
right than be President. [''Good."l say to
yO1 that have more pride in my history con-
nected with the vindication of this great princi-
in a thousand Presidencies. Three cheers.]
HIS FIRST POLITICAL TRIUMPH.
When Mr.. DOUGLAS settled at Jackson
vile, the bank question was the all
absorbing point of political difference. DOUG.
LAS was one of the very few warm supports
ers Of Gen. JAcKsoN's policy, in Jackson.
Vile. The bank men " had it all their
own way-they were numerically in the
majority, and composed the wealth and in.
fuence of the county. Excitement ran high.
Social and business intercourse was confined
to political friends. DOUGLAS, with few
friends, determined to call meeting, and
see whether JACKSON was to be entirely
abandoned or heartily supported. Mr..
SHEAHAN says:
Notwithstanding the fiercness of the Opposi.
ton, and the openly proclaimed objections of
Democrats, handbills were issued and posted
in every town in the county, calling mass
meeting two weeks thence at the court house.
In the meantime resolutions were prepared
endorsing the policy of the President in refus-
ing to recharter the bank and in removing the
deposits-two points upon which thousands of
Democrats differed from the administration.
The majority of the Democrats thought bank
of some kind indispensable, and the other side
thought and declared the charter of such an
institution to be clearly unconstitutional. The
resolutions met with fierce opposition in the
little caucus. When the day of meeting ar
rived, the court house was thronged; people
poured Into town in wagons, on horseback, and
on foot. At twelve o'clock larger concourse
of people had assembled in Jacksonville than
had ever met there before. Douglas had pre-.
yiousIy declined the duty of offering the reso
buttons, pleading his youth, his short residence
in the town, and various personal considora-
tons: but when the hour of meeting arrived.