Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-06-07
literature Of the decade which is at this

moment having termination of histor
ical import. 1t is now too early to gaug,
the value of Mr.. Douglass political ca
reer' When the fires of civil war shall
have separated the era in which h,
moved from the better which we trust i.
In store for US, and shall have burnt ou
with them the evils, the follies and the
prejudices of this period, more correct
estimate of Mr.. Douglas than we can
now attain to will generally prevail. We
can only hazard the speculation that
while denying to Mr.. Douglas the attri-
butes of great statesman, and ranking
him but the chief of politicians, the ver-
dict of history will be that his main dis
tinction lay in the mighty, but probably
unconscious part which he played in
bringing the politics of his day to an
eventful crisis. He was the strong man
whose fail beat the chaff from the wheat.
Without him the repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise could not have been accom-
plished. Without him the Democratic
party could not have been broken asun-
der. Whoever considers fully these two
facts, will see that Mr.. Douglas compress
sed, by his powerful energies, the politi-
cal progress of quarter of a century, at
least, into five years. The historian, al
so, we believe, will recognise a growing
patriotism and mahliness in Mr.. Doug
lass career, which, read by the light of
his final glorious stand for his country,
augured far better things for the future,
had his life been spared.
OF his abilities and personal traits,
contemporary judgment is tolerably well
made up. He was the athlete of public
debate, who was rarely equaled, and bis
friends think never mastered. His force
was amazing, and his dexterity quite as
astonishing. He knew all the resources
OF forensic strategy, and he employed |
them with an of-hand efficiency which
concealed the appearance of art. His
might as well say Of him as
was said Of Henry Clay by one of his
opponents: If ! throw him, be goes off
With flying banners, persuades the spec
ators that he is victorious, and almost
makes me think so, too This vigor
made everything that he said interesting
o the country, and was accompanied by
! certain saliancy which secured him the
general goodwill of the people. He was
undoubtedly genial and kind-hearted, and
lis sympathies, though not delicate or al
Ways true, were broad and humane. He
vas often sustained by this goodwill,
'here his ingenious arguments failed-as
'as testified by his memorable canvass I
nth Mr. Lincoln in 1858, and by the
andsome popular vote he commanded 5
or the Presidency in 1860. His noble {
ise, over all obstacles, from poverty and |
bscurity to position and fame, was also /
pprecisted and honored by all. The I
alton can i'll spare him at this time, f
hen all bis energies, forgetful of such
lings as parties and platforms, had be- /
1me devoted to the maintenance of our q
Government and our Union. But" the v
levitable hour" has come to him, as it t
i'll to all of US who mark his fall. The a
'mpathles of the country will be warm II
: turned to her who mourns him with W
Ie keenest anguish, and to the children d
Ius deprived of paternal guidance Ii
'oStoR Journal. A