Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-12
DOMGLAS DEAD!

although not unanuelpated, creates profound
sensation and is everywhere received with heart
felt sorrow. In crisis like the present. when
his influence would have been potent in the set
Element Of our National difficulties, the death of
DoUeLAs is by all regarded as a National ca
lamity.
The career OF Mr. DOUGLAS is familiar to the
American people. He started in life without the
prestige of family influence or name, and by his
untiring energy he achieved eminence in the
councils Of the nation and a strong hold upon
the popular affections But few of our public
men had 50 many warm and devoted friends.
SIR DoUeLAs was born at Brandon, Vermont,
April %, 1913. In the fall of 1888 he emigrated
to Illinois and taught school at Winchester. In
1884 he opened a law Office, and admitted
10 practice in all the courts Of the State. A
year afterwards, when twenty two years of age,
he was elected by the Legislature Attorney Gene
raj of the State In 1895 he was elected to the
Legislature. In 1897 he was appointed Register
Of the land Office by President VAN buren,, which
position he held for two years. In 1910 he en-
gagged in the Presidential campaign with all the
arlor which afterwards distinguished him. The
same year he was appointed Secretary of State.
in ISL, when only twenty-eight years of age, he
was elected Judge of the Supreme Court. In
1913 he was elected to Congress, and re elected
in 1874, and again in 1916, but having in the
mean time been elected to the United States
Senate for six years from March 4, 1871, he took
his seat when net quite thirty four years Of age.
il -.
His memorable canvass with Mr.. LINCOLN in
1858 for the senatOrship, was one of the most re-
markabIe in the annals of American politics For
many years Mr.. DOUGLAs was regarded as prob
able candidate for the Presidency. As early as
1874 his name was mentioned in that connection.
In 1852, at the time Gen. PIERCE was nominated,
he received in the National Democratic Conven
ton on one ballot 80 out of 25S votes. In 1856
he was again acandidate before the Cincinnati con
vention, which nominated Mr.. BUCHANAN, receiv-
ing on the 18th ballot l2l votes, to l6S votes for
Mr.. B. and for General Cas-. In 1860 he was
a candidate before the Charleston convention,
and after its disruption and adjournment he was
nominated at Baltimore by the adjourned cOnven-
ton, and Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE was put in nOmna-
ton for the same position by the seeding con
vention- The division in the party made the
election of Mr.. LINCOLN almost a certainty, but
Mr. DoueLAs made vigorous personal canvass
in both the Northern and Southern sections ofthe
Union, and received small electoral but a large
popular vote
We do not recollect another instance in the
history of our public men in which any of them
attained to az many high positions at
50 early period in life. Mr.. DOUGLAS dies com
paratively young, but when his life is measured
by the standard Of achievements and activity,
none of his compeers accomplished as much
Lfeis not alwayst to be measured by years, for men
Of the temperament of Mr. DOUGLAS live longer
in short period than those differently constituted
in twice his age. Mr.. DoUGLAs was a man
of giant intellect with brain of intense activity,
possessing withal personal magnetism which
charmed all who came within its influence
He was political gladiator, always ready for the
conflict. The Senate chamber was the arena pc
culiarly adapted to his powers, and those who
have heard him there can only appreciate his
ability as debater, and the fertile resources
which he ever had at command Mr. DoUG-
LAS was greet party Lender. He had wonder
full faculty iU- defining .Sins the issues Of a
political canvass, and Il no less remarkable zeal
and energy in advocating and advancing them.
He inspired his political friends with courage and
hope and defeat seemed never to dispirit him.
Mr.. DoUGLAs was pre- eminently the Tribune ofthe
People. He rose from the common ranks Of life
and always remembered his origin with pride and
pleasure He WIS American in his sympathies
and sentiments. As an off hand debater he was
unequalled. He was always equal to whatever
the occasion demanded Of him. He was bold,
manly and out-spoken. He had no secrets, but
spoke his sentiments with the utmost freedom,
and to whoever happened to be with him. This
was perhaps. one secret of his popularity. Mr.
DouGLAs was ever devoted to his adopted State,
and he contributed largely to her advancement
and prosperity. Hewas Western man, and pos
sessed the many peculiarities which distinguish
the people of the West. He was generous to
fault. and his devotion to his friends was un
bounded.
But few days ago, Mr.. DOUGLAS passed
good health manifesting his usual intellectual
vigor. The whole country looked to him as
one who would take an important part in
shaping the future destinies of the country.
Man proposes but God disposes. InscrutabIe
are the ways Of Providence We have no doubt
the dead statesman deeply affected by the
calamities which had befallen the country. For
the past ten yeirs he had labored with intense
activity to avert the evils which are upon u.s.
He had sacrificed everything for his friends and
his country, and we have no doubt the dark
future weighed heavily upon him and FASTENED
him to the tomb. But he is gone. The Senate
Chamber and the political forum will no longer
witness the display of his great intellect and
lofty patriotism. He has impressed the country
with his opinions upon all the great political
issues of the day, and they will live. Whatever
that record is. it is ended. 1t is no time now to
discuss the influence which the political opinions
and teachings of Mr.. DOUGLAS and the policy he
has advocated will have upon the country. That
can be best done when the prejudices and passions
of the time have passed away, and when they can
be measured by the lightof experience and the re-
suits which follow them. 1t is now only our du-
y to pay parting tribute to a lofty intellect
which commanded the respect of his opponents
and the admiration of his friends to a statesmen
who has devoted the best portion of his life to the
public service, and to citizen who truly loved his
country and who labored for its honor, it progress
and prosperity. He had faults, as all mankind
have, and he may have committed errors in his
long public career, but none can question his
loyalty to the Constitution and tn sUnlon, and his
true devotion to the policy which he considered
the best for his country.
Mr.. DouGLss dies poor. His two sons by a
former wife we understand have estate left
them by her father but his present wife and child
will have no provision for the future. The friends
to whom was devoted and for whom be was