Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-05-25
THE CHICAGO CONVENTION.

We devote the greater part of our space
this week to tho proceedings of the Chicago
Convention The deliberations Of the Con-
ycntion were characterized by a spirit Of har-
mony which must commend itselfto the whole
country Tho platform and nominees are all
that candid mon could possibly ask and we
trust that all who are opposed to the present
corrupt and unprinciplod Administration. will
give their support to LINCOLN and HAMttv.
and assist in restoring the government to its
original purity and wisdom We have no
room for extended remarks but must satisfy
ourselves for this week with the following
sketch of the nominees, which we copy from
tho Boston journal
Abraham Lincoln Is man Of the people in the strict.
est sense, having sprung from the humblest tanks-if
such classification Is possible loo country illustrated
los such records as his lie was born n Hardin county,
ky. Feb r. 1902 and is now, Therefore bon the hly-
second year Of l, age From carly youth he was Injured
Co hard labor, which cit him neither much time op
porIuuiy for mental cultivation But such natures
Mr. Lincon's make their opportunities, rivers
said 60 iorn ueif own ehauucsi so chat wherever hc
was, whether laborer BOO thc field boz the saw-mil
getting ont rails or earning, the Western waters the
title of "Ihe Flaholtman, hy which be- sill cndcarcd
20 those Who pursur mat occu non De constantly found
means Co enrich Dis stock Of knowledge and strengthen
isnauyc powers. Thus he went ON, u De acquired
sufficient legal information Co get admitted Goo Che bar,
when be- took opp his residence Ia Springfield, illinois,
whore be sul dvclls.
When thc "Blark Hawk War broke out in the spring
,of 1852, Mr. Lincoln the first TO offer his
vices, and was elected captain II company Of Illinois
volunteers at the head OF which he listneshc himself
during the brief yet effective campaign He was aGor-
ward elected four times 10 the State Legislature, taking
decided ground as Wing Of me Henry Clay school ln
lhiG De elected member of the 1hiripth Congress.
where be acted with the Wing party and at enc NlHn-
a Convention which nominated General Scott for lo.i-
dent 300 June, le2 Doc was elected Co Represent Illinois
IN ihe central wing COMMITTEE. Acoman's service dld
DE render iu that campaign. When the Republican pare
" "as or'srifgd DE was among the earliest TO- enroll
himself under IFS banner aud thc effective hsht
its battles Too the Of 1886 ho gave che heartfelt
support 90 Fremont and DAYTON and made some Of the
tcsl speeches that were heard boo thc Northwest.
Mr Lincoln, however is mainly indebted ior Dds uauon-
al fame 90 Che Illinois campaign Of 1858. boz which Dc WAS
put forward % contest the claims of Mr. Douglas For c
United States Scnaforship. That campaign formed
era in our political history. Hl ms course against ho
Lcoumpton uiquty, Mr. Douglas had won tic ccIat Il
being better statesman than he had boon supposed -
bc, on the hand and Che other. the
abuse the present national adminisirati8n Bou vre
great elements Of strength before The people and n lode
duuu Co hcn, Mr. Douglas enjoyed che prestige "
ncnt position extended acquaintance among all classes,
lAcu' ih ahu ihe sophsm OF popular Sovereignty, which
is always very agreeable Go who t5 Dot take thr
trouble GO scruuuzc b thofuushly 10 contend against
these Tremendous odds there appeared boo the hed
PLAIN man, hardly known 90 thc country large with
no resources buy his intellect and Dis homemade tcpua
unn Tor personal worth But % was soon apparent that
those who had placed Mr. Lincoln BOO thc breach know
their man. llc met Mr. nouelns n series % debates
which while they formed continuous and mastery de-
ycopmcut of thc great subject. u issue were unr,al
exhibitions 0 lc hcst quauc. of thc American ..tumn
lie yauquishod M Douglas DO logic. 200 appeals o. thc
uuprei JUDGED add FOO wiz and humor II carried thc
State hy popular majority % about 1905 hut owing il
tlc grossly unfair apporuouurnt of ths Ie. a.r Nr
Senate. Bot ttc reputation OF Mr. Lincoln instead q
being dmmcd hy seeing fai.urc at is zoo often uc case
boz political lc, has grown hf htcr and larger from tlt
dNt until b. now lares riiar 1f fire before tlc be-
publican party 90 guide b. forward to victory.