The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-08-14
From the Atlantic Monthly.] ~
"reminiscences of Stefhen A. Dougla

July 4tn, 1901. -" ,T+-.-rft-r - -. Tsf 500
From the Atlantic Monthly.l I'D
"reminiscences Of StcFhen A. Doug glas
a stFstE -o-3
l @ CONCLUDED.
He dined. with the minister, rode out with
the doctor, and. took tea with the old ladies.
He talked politics with the farmers, recount
cd adventures to the young men, and, il my
informant is trustworthy, was in no way shy
Of the young ladies. The zeal with which
he sang on Sunday, and the marked atten-
ton which he paid to the sermonizings of the
dominic, advanced him so far in the affection
OF the honest people Of that rural town, that,
had he asked their wealth, their prayers or
their votes, he would have had no difficulty
in obtaining them. .
There are no reasons for believing, that,
as schoolmaster, he was particularly well
qualified. He did very well, however, and
satisfied the entire township, so that, had he
been content with that very honorable, but
somewhat inconspicuous life, he might doubt
less have remained there until this day. Up
to this period he had been strict temper
ance man. intoxicating drink had as yet
passed his lips; and an early experiment
with pipe had so sickened him, that he had
resolved never again to attempt it. Itwould
have been well for him, had he adhered to
that resolve but, like many other politicians,
he thought it necessary. in the days OF his
early public life, to mix'with the crowd, to
join the bar-room circle, to tell his story and
sing his song, to smoke, and generally to
conform to all those demands Of pot-house
oracles which have perhaps elevated the few,
but without doubt destroyed the many. His
aim was then popularity. He did his best
as teacher, giving his spare time to the
law. Before the justices Cour. he argued
frequently, and commonly with success
There he gained reputation, and having been
elected member Of the legislature, he de-
tcrmined to devote his life thenceforth to
what seemed to him kindred pursuits, poll.
tics and law.
In the latter his successes were frequent.
at first he was employed, naturally, in mi
nor cases; but it was soon discovered that
no one at the bar was his equal in the dex-
terous management of a knotty point, the
successful defence of q desperate william, or
the game of bluff with Judge, jury, or oppos-
ing counsel His cases were such as devcl,
nnpped his cunning, his ingenuity, and tact,
rather than tested his learning or research
and it is doubtful if he would, in the prac-
tice Of law alone, have achieved more than a
local distinction, and that not in OIL respects
desirable one. In the wording Of the State
Statutes he was well read, and he often
ayailcd himself his remarkable memory. to
the entire discontinue Of an opponent, whose
technical error, quickly detected by the
watchful ear Of Douglas, would be turned
against him with great effect. So constant
was his success in the defence of criminal
Cases, that it was deemed well, by the pow.
crs that were, to elevate him to the position
of prosecuting attorney for the first district
of the State. This was done 1885, when he
was but twenty-five years of age. At thai
time he was of singu!arly prepossessing ap
pearance and popular manners. The people
were fond and proud Of him; and when he
made his Acknowledgements to them for the
aforementioned token CT their confidence
ne so excited them by his oratory, that they
took him from the platform, raised him upor
their shoulders, and bore him in triumph
about the town, while hundreds followed
shouting, "Hurra for little Doug I" "Thre'
cheers for the Little Giant" 1--WE III put 20,
throGghr.' and "You II be President yet 7
The judges Of the Supreme Court though
that great mistake had been made; ant
one Of them, who in later years was one o
Mr.. Douglass warmest friends, did not hes
itate to say that the election was wrong
"What business" asked he, "has this DO,
with such an office? He is no lawyer, an
has no books" Indeed, he met with no Iii
tie opposition from his brethren at the ba,
but hone that in any way impeded his pre-
gress in the affections of the people, or dis
sheartened him in his efforts after loftier place
Judge Morton relates, that at no time wa
Douglas found unrrcpared. "His indie
rnents were always properly drawn, his ev
dence complete, and his arguments logical.
Refore . jury he was in his element. The'
ne could indulge in storytelling, in speci
pleading, and in all the intricate device
which heguilc sober men Of their senses, an
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