The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-05-25

Convention which nominated Gen. Scott for
President, in June, 1852, he Was elected to
represent Illinois in the Central Wing Com
mittee. Yeomans service did he render in
that campaign. When the Republican par
ty was organized. he was among the earliest
to enroll himself under its banner, and the
most effective to fight its battles. In the
canvass of 1856 he gave the heartiest sup
port to Fremont ard Dayton. and made some
Of the best speeches that were heard in the
Northwest.
! Mr.. Lincoln, however, is mainly indebted
! for his national fame to the Illinois campaign
of 1858, in which he was put forward to con-
test the claims of Mr.. Douglas for the Uni
ted States Senatorship. That campaign form
ed an era in our political history. By his
course against the Lecompton iniquity, Mr..
| Douglas had won the eclat Of being better
statesman than he had been supposed to be,
on the one hand, and, on the other, the I'M
reasonable abuse Of the present national ad-
ministration. Both were great elements of
strength before the people and in addition
to them, Mr.. Douglas enjoyed the prestige
of eminent position, extended acquaintance
among all classes, popular manners, cDhsum
mate adrotness as political tact;<lan, and
the sophism Of popular sovereignty. which is
always agreeable to men who do not take the
trouble to scru,inize it thoroughly. To con-
tend against these tremendous odds. there
appeared in the field a plain man, hardly
known to the country at large, with no re-
sources but his intellect and his homemade
reputation for personal worth. But it was
soon apparent that those who had placed MIR.
Lincoln in the breach. knew their man. He
met Mr.. Douglas in a series of debates
which, while they formed continuous and
mastery development Of the great subjects
best qualities of the American stump He
vanquished Mr.. Douglas in logis, in appeals
to the unprejud:ced, and in vii and humor
He carried the State by popular majority
of about 1000; but owing to the grossi y I'M
fair a2portionment of the Legislature, Mr..
Douglas succeeded in obtaining his re-elec-
ton to the Senate But the reputation of
Mr.. Lincoln, instead of being dimmed by
seeing failure, as is too often the case in po-
li,ical life, has grown brighter and larger
from that day, until i, now blazes as pillar
Of fire before the Republican party TO guide
it forward to victory.
! OF the result We cannot now entertain any
serious doubt. The times are ripe for the o.
verthrow of the Democratic party, which, af-
ter having outlived its principles, has now
sundered its organization. The sem barc.
of union will doubtless be made but fair
minded men have generally conceded Of late
that, if the Republicans should be SO for,u-
nate in their candidates as to repel none of
the elements which would not naturally rail-,
to their support, :heir success in November
must be considered as sure. Tha, good for
tune is theirs. Mr.. Lincoln has that simple
integrity of character, that broad and genial
nature, to which the masses of our people
are ever attached. Though firm in his oppo-
s,ion to the further ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of sa
very, he is conservative by nature, and We
have never met with rash or bitter express
ion in all his speeches. The people of New
England, through their representatives a,
Chicago, have already manifested their pre-
objection for him. lie was the only man Oh
whom the doubtful states" of PENNSYLVANIA
anG New Jersey doubtful no lcnser) could
combine in the Convention. And as he bea,
Mr.. Douglas before the people of Illinois i'll
1853. he is now certain to sweep the entire
Northwest.
Tbs association Of Hannibal Hamlin with
Mr. Lincoln on the Republican ticket is on.
of peculiar fitness and strength. Mr.. Ham
lin. though having an extended public rec
ord, as will be seen by the sketch Of his lie.
which will be found elsewhere in our col
umns, is one of those statesmen who are con-
tent to do the business of the country with
out display of any kind In this respec, OF
efficient service, no man in the United States
Senate stands higher. His investigation OF
suhiec, is held to need no revision, ard his
conclusion is assumed as decisive by all his
colleagues. As Mr.. Lincoln s,ad b, the olu
Wing party till it was no more, so Mr.. Ham
lin remained with the Democracy till it re-
ceive! its mortal wound through the X an
sas-Nebraska bill. There he formerly bad,
it adieu. in brief speech in the Senate.
which was circulated throughout the coun-
try. In Maine, where his power as Demo
cratic tactician has been as deeply felt as his
winning personal traits had been acknowl-
edged. this change of Mr.. Hamlin was hail
Cd with the greatest enthusiasm. In 1855,
Democratic governor had been chosen. In
1856. Mr. Hamlin became the Republican
candidate, and carried the State by nearly
$4,000 majority That is Mr. Hamlins
certificate where he is hest known. But the
merits of such men extend them
selves as if by a law Of their own. and. un-
der the favoring genius of our Institutions,
command fitting recognition.
The Republican standard for the great
campaign of 1860 is unrolled before the
country. 1t is worthy Of the cause, it is a
dapted to the times, and it must be borne on
IN yicfnrn