The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-06-21

us, no hollow memorial. They are the true,
expressions of a profound grief over the dead
man, and the hearts testimonials of admir-
alton for the departed patriot, statesman,
and hero. ign
Another light has gone out Another
has been added to the consolidated names
which beam in the serene upper sky of
American history!
Let us now pause. Let us review with
rapid glance the acts and events of bis life.
Let us 60 to his honored grave and take
hence with respectful inquiry its pregnant
lessons, monitions and encouragement.
Stephen Arnold Douglas was of Scotch
descent. He was born at the little town of
Brandon, in the State of Vermont, on the
23d of April, 1918, in the midst of the Sc
cond war of the United States with Great
Britain. He had, if may be permitted to
appropriate an expression, the advantage
OF early poverty" His father dying in the
year of his birth, left the boy with an only
sister, dependent upon the limited resources
of his mother, who soon removed with her
little family to the roof of brother, Mr..
Fisk, from whom it was expected he would
derive the means to carry out long formed
design of acquiring thorough collegiate
education. His uncle married, and at If
teen years of age, he was disappointed in
his expectations and left with his own re.
sources disappointment made the more
poignant because it was coupled with
remonstrance against his leaving the Ger,
tainties of farmers life for the hazards of
a profession. Undaunted by this overthrow
of his young hopes, the brave boy left home.
"The world was all before him where to
choose" He walked to the town of Mid
dlebury, and indentured himself as an ap-
prentice with a cabinet-maker, in whose
employment he remained, assiduously prose-
cutting his trade for about two years, until
his health becoming broken, he returned to
his native town and commenced course of
classical studies, which were continued until
his removal with his mother to Canandai-
qua, in the State of New York. Here he
pursued bis academical studies in connection
with course of legal study, in the Office of
the Messrs. Hubbel, for the space of nearly
three years. He was distinguished at this
early period and throughout his schoolhood
for those genial manners, that readiness and
tact in debate, and that practical sagacity,
which have so conspicuously marked him
in later life. He was, moreover, although
but nineteen years Of age, warm partizan
of General jackson, and not inactive in the
great canvass of 1882.
In June, 1888, just turned of twenty, he
swung loose from the moorings of home and
left for the world-the great west. Ar
rived at Cleveland he formed favorable
connection and resumed the study of law.
Scarcely entered upon his duties he was
stricken down by the bilious fever then en-
demic ofthatportion of Ohio, and Frustrated
until the following October, at which time, by
the advice of physicians, he left for the
"farther West" Heproceeded to St. Louis,
declined while there 1attering offer from
Hon. Edward Bates, (now Attorney Gen.
eral of the United States) and fixed his eye
and located his future at Jacksonville in the
then sparsely peopled State of Illinois. He
landed at Alton late in November 1888 and
pushed forward on the same day to jack
sonville, where he arrived, just six months
prior to bis arrival at the age which de-
vides the boy from the man, without a
friend and without dollar.
Finding there no immediate prospects for
a penniless novice in his profession he
walked to Winchester, engaged school,
entered upon his duties as teacher on the
first Monday of December, 1888, taught
school during the day, read law during the
night, and at the expiration of three months
with little competency for present wants,
went back to Jacksonville, was admitted to
practice in the Supreme Court of the State
and opened law Office on the same day,
- - hof ho to-
years of age.
Look back over that glorious boyhood!
who now will say the boy was not the Fa-
ther of the man! Born remote, Obscure,
unfriended, amidst the hills of Vermont,
thwarted in his boy anticipations of dis
tinction in an honorable profession, be ad-
dresses himself bravely to prepare for
humber walk of Lille. Driven back by his
frail body to studious pursuits, he falters
not, but goes steadily on. At twenty NEW
ing bis mighty youth" he sees from the plain
village of Canandaigua to the end OF the
world, he girds himself, fixes his destiny,
advances-no misfortunes daunt, no obsta-
c!es hinder-h he looks forward and never
backward, and so he reaches the state he
has adopted for his home. "Sic itur ad as.
tra." This journey of the boy was an archie
type of the career OF the man.
Once fairly embarked upon the great
business of life, the course of Mr.. Douglas
was no safe, middle course. Thrown from
the first into the midst of the exciting and
acrimonious discussions which supervened
upon the Bank measures of General Jack
sons administration, he at once took his
place firmly and de6antly in support of the
policy of that great character, upon which,
in some Of its leading features, his own was
modelled.
This was no holiday work for the com-
parative stranger and stripping, bat in de-.
spite of every disadvantage, he not only
sustained himself, but by his very first speech
at Jacksonville, in March, 1924, established
himself in the respect and admiration of the
entire State of Illinois. Ten months after
wards, he was elected State Attorney of his
District. one of the most considerable in the
State, competed for by the gallant and &C.