Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-02-11

people, the architect Of his own fortune.
He had not the advantages in his youth
of either schools or colleges, yet thro'
| his own exertions has obtained a most
! liberal and thorough education.
Mr.. Lincoln is an able lawyer, and
stands at the head of his profession in
the central part of the State. For more
than thirty years he has been a resident
of Illinois, and although he has always
taken al active part in politics, has new
er sought office
When elected to the House Of Rep
resenfatiycs Of Illinois, and to the Con.
gress Of the United States in 1916, it
was without effort on his part. During
the existence of the Whig party, he
was an active and leading member of
that party in this State, following in
the footsteps Of the illustrious Clay,
| who declared in 1850, "the Constitu-
ton neither created, nor does it con-
tinue Slavery" and on the organiza-
tion of the Republican party, united
with it, and is now regarded as one Of
the ablest among the champions Of free
dom and free soil.
In his canvass in 1858 with Judge
Douglas for i. S. Senatorship, he prov
ed himself an able debater, and pro-
found Statesman. He has the popular
heart of Illinois. The purity Of his life,
the nobleneSs OF his heart, the fervor Of
his eloqncnce, the honesty Of purpose
for which he characterized, and the
boldness with which he has ever bat
tied for the right, and denounced the
wrong, entite him to the confidence
Of the American people.
He has always heen distinguished for
his conservatism, and patriotism, aud it
is meet that the Republican National
Convention should honor the Republi-
cans Of the Northwest by placing upon
the ticket theii representative man.
II spe king ofthe doctrine contained
in the declaration Of Independence, in
one Of his discussions with Judge Doug
Las, he said:
"Now, my countrymen, if you have been
taught doc trims conflicting wish The great
landmarks OF the Declarations Of Ind pcndcnce;
if YOU have listened to suggestions which would
take away from its grandeur, and lHutiate the
symmetry Of lis proportions; if you have been
inclined to believe that all men are not created
equal il those inaienable rights enumerated
by our chart Of i5eIty, let me cntreat you to
come back. Return to the fountain whose wa
ters spring close By the blood Of the Revolu- |
ton. Think nothing Of me--take no thought |
for the political tate Of any man wh0ms0ever- |
but come back to the truths that are in the
Declaration ofIIdependence. You may do any |
thing with me YOU choose if you will bur heed |
these sacred principles You may not only de-
feat ne for the Senate, but you may take and |
put me to death While pretending 10 indif- |
farenc to earthly h9nors, do c}ain2 70 be actu-
ated in this contest by something higher than
an anxiety for Office. I charge YOU to drop ev-
cry p"l-ry and Insignificant thought for any
mans success. 1t is nothing; an nothing
Judge Douglas is nothing But do not destroy
ttas memorial eno55en Of Hlnanity-Me Declara- |
ton Of american Lldepsndsncc."
We have thu5 briefly given a sketch !,
ofthe life, character, and public seryi- |
ces otour candidates, and feel confident
that their nomination wonld be followed !
by their triumphant election. To keep
the election out OF Congress, we must |
secure the electoral vote Of Pennsylva- |
MIA and New Jersey. The next electo-
raj vote will be 306, should Kansas be
admitted into the Union during the
present session Of Congress; consequent !
ly it will take l54 votes to elect. Of
these the free States will cast l86, and
the slave States 100. Without Penn
sylvania and New Jersey, we cannot
elect, even flour candidate should re-
ceiYe the votes of every other Northern
State; while with them we viii succeed
though we loose the States Of Illinois,
Indiana, California and Oregon. The
nomination Of Mr. Lincoln will secure
us the votes Of Illinois and Indiana,
and We hope to carry Oregon and Cal
ifOrnia also.
We may succeed with other candi-
dates with Cameron and Lincoln, we
aejU, The cause Of human freedom is
Of more Importance than the success Of
any individual Personal preference
should be waived, and we should unite
upon men who, while they present the
principles Of our party, are also ayaiIa-
ole.
By order of the Executive Commit
tee,
FERNANDO JONES,
Chairman
Published By order Of the Club.
CHARLES Y, DYER, Pres.
10. W. BELL, Sec.