Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1866-07-19
James III. Lane.

| Our telegraphic dispatches bring the startling
intelligence that General James ii. Lanerone oil
the Senators from Kansas, has committed suicide
General Lane has held n prominent place in the
exciting political history of the country for the
past twelve wears, and has been an actor in many
of the important events which have been crowded
into that brief period of the nations annals. He
was native of Dearbon county, in this State, and
I son OF Amos Lane, who many years ago repre-
scented the Lswrenceburs district in Congress.
The son, James H., first attracted public notice
as volunteer officer in the Mexican war, and
81 Indiana volunteers, which under his commlnd
greatly distinguished itself 1T the battle of Buena
Wis a.
Returning to his home after the termination Of
that war; he entered into pulitics, and in 1919 was
elected Lieutenant Governor the Democr tic
ticket Joseph A. Wr ,hi, the Democratic candidate
for Governor receiving his first election to the
Gubern5tOTitl office, 1T the same time.
Ia 1852, Mr.. LINE was elected to Congress from
the same District formerly represented by his faith
er, and served during tho struggle over the cele
brated but fatal Kansas Nebraska bill. He was a
decided Democrat, and went with the minority of
his party in support of that measure; but he melnt
by his vote popular sovereiguity,' as it wa. un-
derstoOd by the Northern supporters of the bill
.sborder ruff ini<m," As developed under its
practical workings. Soon after thu expiration OF
his Congr, ssOnal term he went to Klnsas with
view of making that Territory his future home, but
still maintaining his connection with the Democrat
ie party, and hoping tia! 4 fair trial of tic.prin-
ciples of the Kansas Nebraska act would prove the
justice OF that measure and the wisdom its au-
thorS and supporters. But the ouirages aud tyran
ny of the pro-savcry invaders of Kansas, soon led
him to his party associations and Join the
struggling Free State settlers. His mitlry expe-
rience and energetic maa:ures soon placed him at
the head of the purity in favor of m liking Kansas n
free State, who, ab lnJoned and outliwcd by the
Administration 1T Washington, were compelled 10
defend their homes and their lives against the fe.
r0ciOus nrOads and birbarous cruelties OF the pro-
slavery invaders from Missouri and South Caro-
lima. Under Lanes lead, the anti-savery men
whipped the inv adeis out Of Kansas, and settled
the question of the further westward extension OF
the peculiar institution He was elected to the
United States Senate on Tire organization of the
State Government, but Southern opposition kept
Kansas out of The Union until JInu1ry, 1861,
when, on the same day that jefferson Davis C. C.
Clay, Mallory and other Senator's abandoned their
seats and went home TO organize rebellion against
the q Mon and the Constitution Congress sent TO
the President a bill for the admission OF X lnsas.
From that time to the dly Of bis tyagicll death,
Gen. Lane rep esented That Stttc in the Senate of
the United States, varying the mono,ony of leg
islatiye lab0rs By occasional participation in mill.
tary expeditions against the rebels in Missouri, in
the earls stages of the late reseIiion.
On all questions connected with slavery AMI the
rcb lon he was an intense radical, 1s long as the
war lasted and in that particular fairly represented
the feelings of his constituents. Since the contrO
versy between Congress and President Johnson
has become serious, he has rather inclined To the
Conservative side, although he heartily supported
the constitutional amendment. and manifested no
disposition to abandon his party for association
with tue pro rebel Democracy.
Senator Lane was nun OF restless ambition,
unc0nquerable energy and imperious will-just the
to arouse bitter prciu Ices AMI create warm
friendships He PROBABLY had more personal enc
mics than frienls, but successful politician.
and for his services in rcpeing the ''border ruff
an" invaders of Kansas, and preserving that beau
tiul country from the curse OF slavery, he deserv-
ed we'll of the country, and viii occupy a promi
nent and honorable position in tie history OF the
great struggle between Freedom and Bondage.-
lad. Jour.