Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-08-01
DOUGLAS AT fWENTY-AN EXAMPLE FOR
- YQIING MEN. s...... - -.

In 1888 there came to this city young man
scarcely past his twentieth spring, somewhat below
the medium height in stature, OF delicate but come
" frame, pale but marked features, and IN whose
eyes the brilliant light of intellectual fire burned
brightly and whose general bearing and manners,
while they betokened selEreance and frmness, indl-
Gated too clearly that he was one Of the numerous
Young soldiers of fortune who were then seeking IN
this great Western region to lay the foundation OF
future fame and glory, or wealth and distinction
Furnished with letters of recommendation, our
Young hero experienced little no difficulty in Sc
curing the confidence and encouragement OF one OF
our then, as now, most distinguished lawyers and
valued citizens, who rendered him the use of his
Office and library to pursue his studies, and mani
tested great interest in his success This generosi-
ty on the Threshold Of his career a then to him
unknown and UNEMPLOYED country, filed his young
heart with hope and gratitude, and without hesita-
ton he accepted the kind offer and duly INSTALL
ed in his new position. 80
But as many other young law students have ex-
perienced while Blackstone and Coke may furnish
the brain, they fail to supply the Inner man" or
cover the "outer animal and as in theirs so in the
case of our hero; but fortunately for him he had
"a trade" and was not ashamed to work. and
straightway he resolved to seek employment for his
hands in those hours which his studies permitted
him to be free-thus pursuing the avocation Of a
mechanic while preparing himself for the law.
As in after life at that period to deliberate was
to act, and forthwith he proceeded to the work
shops of the principal Cabinet Makers then in the
city, and made known his object His delicate looks
and feeble appearance, for he was then already fast
falling victim to the prevalent fever Of the West,
together with his statement that he was a law stu
dent and desired to follow his trade temporarily to
provide him with neces sary means to continue his
studies, failed to inspire confidence and his applica
ton for "work X was accordingly declined.
Nothing daunted, however, our hero determined
to try elsewhere for food, raiment and books must
be had, and the wherewithal to purchase them.
But ere this resolve could be carried out he was
suddenly Frustrated by severe attack of bilious
fever, and confined to his bed four months.
When strength and health again came to his aid
he resolved to push his fortunes further westward
and with grateful heart to those who had befriend
ed him on his first entrance into the West, he de-
parted on canal boat for the Queen cty-contin-
ued, after brief sojourn there, to Louisville
thence to St Louis and finally settled in the Prairie
State of Illinois, where since, from earning six dol
lars for the first three days of labor accomplished
on entering the State he has continued to work.
early and late long and faithfully, and has succeeded
now in rearing fame and acquiring name which
will be remembered till time shall be no more.
That young boy lawyer was Stephen A. Douglas !;
the first kind friend in the West Sherlock j. An
drews, and the cabinet making firm to whom he ap-
piled for work was the old business house of Duty
& Vincent, now Gardner & Vincent.
We give this episode in the life of the great Hi
nois Statesman, for the purpose of showing how
calamity and bravely, from his very 5oyhood, he
has struggled in the race for fortune. Never too
proud to work, always ready to labor, believing it
alone can dignity and ennoble man. he has always
been hard worker" always true to duty, al
ways upright and firm in the performance of every
trust conded to him, and therefore it is his coun-
trymen fear not to entrust him with the highest Of
flee in their gift C2eceland (Ohio) Plaindealer