East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-06-13

Douglas and some friends called a mass
meeting TO defend General Jackson's
baak policy, and the movement was con-
sidered most daring one. When the
day arrived he alone had the courage to
offer the resolutions. lie did so, and ad-
'vocated their adoption. He was replied
too by Mr. Lamborn, one OF the ablest
LAWYERS Of the county, in a speech OF
much severity. 1t was trying moment
for Douglas. He at once met the issue.
He reoined in speech which has be.
come historical in Illinois. In a very
short time his words of burning eloquence
drove Lamborn from the Court house,
and then for an honr he held the meeting
bound in admiring establishment by his
powerful defence of the President. When
he had conclued, his resolutions were
adopted, and he was taken upon the
sholders of several large men and carried
through the town intrinnph. Henceiorth
Douglas was recognized as the leader oil the
Democracy In that county. AT the meet
ing of the next Legislature he was elected
States Attorney from the first judicial
circuit, over the heroic. John }. Hardin,
and for over a year and half performed
its duties with great success. In 1850
he proposed the Convention system for
the nomination Of candidates for county
Offices and, though opposed, carried 1t
into successful operation. A Democratic
t;cLot was nominated, bot such was the
war made upon the Convention system
that some OF the candidates withdrew,
and Douglas was forced to take n place
ON the ticket for the Legislature. lie
canvassed the county thoroughly, and
the result was that the entire Democratic
ticket, with one exception, was elected
General Hardin was elected.
Mr.. Douglas took his seat in the Leg
stature in the winter of '36-'7. and was
an active and laborious member. In
April, 1887, he was appointed Register
of the Land office at Springfield. In the
fall of that year he took an active part III
establishing the Convention system for
the nomination of candidates for State
offices, and saw il put into successful
operation. In November, 1887, he was
nominated by Democratic Convention
for Congress, in the immense district cx
tending irom Jacksonville to the Nerth-
ern limit of the State; tie election took
place in August, 1888, and during that
time Mr.. Douglas and his opponent, Mr..
stuart canyasscd it as far as was prac'
ticable. The district had given Harrison
over 5000 majority; but the official can
vass accorded Stuart only feS majority in
an aggregate vote OF nearly $1,000
| Douglas was defanded Of several hun
bred votes by tricks and unjust practices
The campaign was regarded, however a:
a personal triumph. ...f
Mr.. Douglas, during the next tive
years, devoted himself to successful prac
tee in the law, taking prominent part
in all great cases before the Supreme
Court. lie undertook the great cas-
which resulted in having tho 'aiieli vote
allowed-a vote Which secured the State
for Gan Buren, in 1910
In 1910 he canvasseI the State for Val
/ Bur!en and to his efforts has always beer
attributed tho,sucocssfnllissue 0! that cleo
lion in Illinois, ana one or two Northern
States whore the Democratic flag wa
not defeated. La January 1871, lie wa:
appointed Secretary Of State. 1t tina
session Of the Legislature the Supreme
! Court was remodcicd--t is, the mum
Der Of judges were increased from four t,
nine and in February, Mr., Douglas wa
elected Judge of the Sdpremt Court
He was then less than twcnty-eight year
Of age. He c5ntinucd as Judge, perform
ing his duties with great and acknowl
hedged ability and until June, 1913, wheI
he was nominated for Congress. The dis
trict was Wing and he was entreate'
to accept the nomination on the grouh'
that he was the only Democrat VIII
could hope to be elected lie at enc
with Mr.. Browning, his Wing opponent
entered upon the CANVASS, aud they spoll
daily until the election, when both wcr
iprostrated with illness. Doug lass maJol
, ity was 40. 30 Be- itste s'f gasit
Tn December, 1913, he took his scat i
y CONGRESS, being several months less tina
, thirty wears of nre. I'm i1S4t he was n
elected, by 1900 majority, and in 1916 b
over 5000 majority; but after the la'
: election, and before the commencement
! Of his term under it, he was elected Sci
: ator of the United States.
/, One of his first speeches in Concre'
. was the memorable one in support of tn
bill to refund the fine imposed on Genel
al Jackson by Judge Hall at New. Orleans
$ That speech was afterward declared b
3 General Jackson to be the best and onl
|" proper vindication Of his conduct on tina
, occasion.
: Mr., Douglas was an active and arden
: supporter of the American title up to tn
|, line $40 40 on the Oregon boundar
, question, and was one Of the last to SUI
!. render. bs-., ..V terr- ,,;,..
: He was also q supporter Of the anne,
!. alton of Texas and his speeches on tha
(; question, and upon the several issues ARR
{ ling out oftho Mexican war, form PEI
e haps the earliest aud ablest yindication
4 of the purity and patriotism of the admin
o istration of President Polk that are to b
o. found in the Congressional debates:
D ioy lie was a strict Supporter of ''Monro
I Doctriner-of the right and propriety {
? keeping the American continent free an
]. exempt from any and all settlement c