Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-10-16
why Douglas was Called the ssLittIe
Giant.r

When Stephen A. Douglas first landed at Ma
plies, Scott county, Illinois, he was not quite 81
years old, and had head that seemed too large
tor his body, and only couple Of shirts tied up
in a red cotton handkerchief and less than fifty
cents in his pocket. After recruiting his fnan-
ces by clerking il a. the auction sale. he taught
school in Winchester for few months I: but not
paving expenses he departed, leaving "due bill
with the landlord for his board, and pledging his
honor 10 return and redeem It, During his resi-
dence in Winchester he heard Lamb0rn the great
wing orator, denounce jackson, who was then
President, in speech in the court house and was
so stirred up by its illogical conclusions, that he
resolved, live or die, to confront Lamborn when
ever he again spoke in public. Lambom having
given out an appointment to speak in Jackson
vile during the following week Douglas set out
to meet him the day before the appointed time,
travelling ~ miles of the distance on foot. 1t
was in vain that few of Douglas friends attemD-
ted 10 dssuade him, saying he was too young and
inexperienced TO confront the greatest orator in
Illinois, as Lamborn was then considered both by
Wings and Democrats. But Douglas nothing
dannted. said that Lamborn had been Giving on
General Jackson" and he was resolved to defend
the old hero; as he had 1.-The documents" and
could do il.
At the appointed hour the Court house was
crowded to its utmost capacity. The Governor.
and nearly all the wealthy and influential men Of
the county we're present, and Mr.. Lanbon de-
livered his charges against Jackson i'm the most
approved style, and wing documents and news
papers were triumphantly produced to prove that
the old patriot the enemy of his country.
Everybody seemed convinced and the meeting
about to disperse.
just then Douglas who sat on the left hand of
the speaker, among the crowd, stood upon the
bench on which he had been sitting, and said he
was there for the purpose of answering Lamborn
and defending General jackson. A restless dis
position to be gone and not very respectful gances
from the people followed. this statement, but the
young Douglas proceeded; and having made an
assertion, backed il up with 'the documents" in a
style peculiarly his own. From point to point he
went over the great speech ofhis predecessor, dis
approving, arguing and exterminating as he went
along, to the wrath of the Wing leaders and the
growing admiration of the people, who were ig
norant of his name, and who, as he went on,
would say one to the other, "Harkp' 'Hark ye,'
"Hearken to the little fellowp' and as the bursts
of eloquence and logic followed faster and faster
the EXPLANATIONS were, "The Little Giant"
"Hearken to the Little Giantl'' and at the close
great shout of "Hurrah for the Little GiaBtl'
went up. and the people carried him in triumph
around the room and court house yard.
At this meeting Douglas first asserted bis pow
ers, and acquired a mastery over the popular
heart and sOubriquet that never left him. The
chiefs of Whiggery were dumb-founder and
the Democracy were crazy with JOY for the un
looked-for victory.