Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-09


FELLOW CITIZENS: 1t has been said that no
mans life should be written during his stay upon
earth. The reasons for this opinion need not be
stated. They apply to another proposition, vari
ously entertained, whether the biography OF man
should be written during the generation in which
he lives Ii thus written we have all the passions
and preiudices of enemies to misjudge his deeds
and the love and warmth of affection TO palliate
and excuse them.
Biographies and histories are only valuable as
they are true: and truth, il is claimed, will be
suppressed when either friendship or animosity
guides the pen. Another reason for waiting is
that the practical results of the principles avow-
ed by the subject, can only be developed by time
and yet an answer TO this is found in the fact that
if the results are favorable praise follows-if un
favorable condemnation. So prone is this world
TO judge of an act by its results. On the other
hand, if history is written cotemporaneous with
those making it, there is time TO the de
velopments of the principles euunciated, and 10
judge them by their practical workings. The
principles may work well or i'll, for time. and
will be approved or condemned accordingly; /;
whereas time, the great arbiter only can demon
sirate, ultimately, their correctness or incorrect
ness.
The people of every nation naturally desire 10
study the character of their public men, and TO
form an intimate acquaintance with the history
]
TO distinction in any of the walks of life This
desire manifests itself more strongly among Us,
as people, than among the people Of any other
nation and it is one of the legitimate fruits of
our free institutions The individuality principle
may Justly be called the distinguishing character
stics of the age, and, of all the histories of in
dividuals, those are the most interesting and in
structive. which exhibit men making their way
through society, from the humbest walks of life
thob trba afd
make US acquainted with the lives of men who.
by perseverance, zeal, energy aud industry. have
made themselves known and felt in their day and
generation. The world is always improved by
every triumph of the human intellect, and es-
/ pecially, by the examples of men who. by self
culture, moral worth, and energy, have overcome
( the greatest obstacles-break ,ug through all the
barriers of wealth and hereditary honors i'm their
path-and forcing their way up 10 positions of
eminence and usefulness. The history of the
lives of such men exctes the young aEd ardent
mind to the Improvement of is highest and most
valuable faculties, and gives society confidence in
I human resources and progress. Noble examples
! ike these are the ordered instrumentalties by
I which the character of the world is improved.
The career of no man affords a more appropriate
and beautiful illustration of the fostering tenden
cv Of our democratic institutions, than i 10 be
found in the life and character Of him whose
memory we have. this evening, met TO honor.
"He has solved. in bis own history, the problem
of self government
For several years. the great principles of popu
lar sovereignty as applied TO the Territores. in
connection with the repeal of what called the
Missouri compromise. engr0ssed the earnest and
faithful attention of Senator Douglas His la
bors in maintaining and expeunding these princi-
pies may be regarded as among the marked events
OF his laborious life; and time, the great arbter.
has already settled these principles fupon an en-
1 during basis, which will perpetuaie the memory
OF the wisdom and the patriotism OF their eminent
/ expOunder.
The public mind is most wisely undergoing a
great change upspn these subjects. lt H. now man
ifest that the removal Of the restriction abs0-
lutely necessary for the free exercise Of Terrific
rial legislation on subjects Of domestic policy in
cluding African slavery. Men are now fully COM
pretending and realizing the truths proclaimed by
Judge Douglas in his unanswerable and prophet
| ic speech of March 3, 1884. Subsequent events
have tended 20 demonstrate that the compromise
M sasures of 1850, in Their just Interpretation.
pealed In spirit and substance. the Missouri com
promise line. The almost luminous vote Of the
South for the extension Of this liae, in iS4c and
1850 to the Pacific with the violent opposition IL
met with in the North, bringing about lis defeat
in connection with the Misrepresentation snd vio-
lence with which these subjects were discussed
produced condition Of popular feeling which
eliminated in the election Of l660-bringing in
TO the national Congress a large majority of
Northern sectional men. Yet the prompt prac
teal application, even by this Congress, of the
doctrines which Mr.. Douglas proclaimed. war
rants Us IN saving that he lived 70 see the great
principles which he had so long advocated. finally
adopted BY his country His speech Of le54 was
propheiic-proying the truth of the sentiment
! Great men are. in certain sense, prOP Phets
| They preceie their age To illume is path" !"
Itwas INV fortune 20 enter upon terms OF personal
acquaintance with Stephen A. Douglas at the com
mencement Of the first session Of the 18th Con.
gress, and to enjoy his friendship from that time
Rnti his death. Well do | remember his first ef-
fort in the House Of Representative. on the sub
ject of refunding 70 General Jackson the fine as
sesscd against him. by Judge Hall. az New Or
leans. That venerable man. John Quincy Ad
ans SAT ia his seat, his looks and motions al.