Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-04-12
OH Uinditator.
-
sTAUNTcN, VA,
FRIDAY, APRIL I2, 1861.
S. NJ. YO5T, Editor and Proprietor.
A SeEf-Made Man.

S. NJ. Yo5T, Editor and Proprietor.
A Self-Made Man.
With much qualification we, in common
with host of others in this region, learn
through the public prints that Waldo Por.
ter johnson has been elected Senator Of the
United States for the State of Missouri, te
succeed tie Hon. Jas S. Green. whose term
expired on the 4th inst. Mr.. johnson was
born at Bridgeport, in the adjoining coun-
ty of Harrison, about the year 1918, and Is
consequently about 43 years of age. He is
a son Of Col. William johnson, of Bridge
port, aid feSAeA Of Ex-Gov Jos. John
sou. Senator Johnson is entirely self
made man, owing his present election as
we'll as his previous success in business, IN
professional and in political life, to his ma
tive talents, energy and strength of charac.-
ter. The earlier years of his l,fe were rosta
Nv divided between the duties of clerk in the
! store or of labor on the farm of his father,
spending, however, much of his leisure mo-
meuts in the perusal Of such books as were
thrown in his way, enjoying to moderate
extent only tue advantages Of the neigh Dor
hood schools. At the age of e years he
begun to read law, and after prosecuting his
studies alone ana unaided about year he
qualified as a member Of the Bar Of Clarks-
burg. There he remained only about twelve
months, his ardent mind seeking wider
arena for its developments Well, do we
remember the morning of his departure for
Missouri, among his many friends who pass
ed forward to take leave of him, was VIM
\ Harrison. Esq then, as now an emf
net lawyer, aud profound judge of men.
After bidding his young friend adcu, Mr.
Harrison. turned around to those present,
and remarked, PORTER johnson will return
one day Senator from the State Of Mis-
souri, Mr.. Harrison was led to make this
prediction by the. exhibition of talent and
perseverance made by Mr.. johnson during
the brief period Of his practice at the Bar of
Clarksburg
| He settled at Osceola, in South Western
Missouri At the breaking out of the Next
can war he enlisted as private in the Regi
ment of Gen. Doniphan; during his absence
the people of St. Clair county elected him
to represent them in the State legislature;
st the end Of the session he was elected Dis
trct Attorney, but before the expiration of
his term he was chosen Circuit Judge,
which position he resigned to resume the
practice of the law, to which he diligently
applied himself until last Spring, when his
name wa placed in nomination before the
Democratic Convention of Missouri for Gov
ernor of the State, but the nomination fall
ing on G. F. Jackson, he gave him his ar
dent support in the exciting canvass. In
the division of Che Democratic party he es-
poused the cause Of breckenridge and Lane,
| for in principle he has ever been a JEALOUS
advocate of States rights and warmly South
ern in his feelings. Whilst presiding as
Circuit Judge he decided in advance of the
decision of the bred Scott case by the Su-
preme Court Of the United States, that the
Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional,
which fact was mentioned by Senator Green
in terms Of eulogy during the late Presi-
dental canvass.
On his return from the recent Peace Con-
ference at Washington (of which he was
chosen member by the Legislature of Mis-
souri,, we had the pleasure: of 3 lengthy
conversation with Judge johnson at the
home of his brother, our worthy townsman,
Mortimer Fl. johnson, Esq during which
we perceived with qualification that the just
cause of Southern rights had mo abfer. nor
warmer champion than he. Would that we
could hope that even zeal, courage, energy.
and talent such as his, could on the floor of
the Senate chamber turn aside the tide of
oppression that threatens to engalf and dis
grace the rights and honor Of eur devoted
section. -Pruntytot0n (Vu.) Patriot.