The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-08-20

will bring ABOUT cOmploto u1umpn OF tho
cause Of restoration and an overwhelming re-
pudation Of the radicals ct the ballot box
Tho Douglas Monument Celebration.
It is generally known that the monument
erected in Chicago to the memory Of the late
Stephen A. Douglas Is to be inaugurated on
the 9Th Of September with unusual and extra
ordinary ceremonies. The President of the
United States is going all the way from Wash
ington to attend them. A number Of the high
officials Of the general government and from
the several States are to be there. Nothing Is
neglected that could give sclat to the occasion.
Altogether it will be one Of the most striking
ceremonial events Of the kind ever Witnessed
in this country.
Such ovations have become characteristic Of
the American people. They are not original,
it is true, for we follow other nations In this
respect. From the earliest times eminent men
have been honored in similar manner. The
pyramids of Egypt, the exquisite sculptures of
Greece, the grand monuments of Rome and
the statues and other works Of art of all sue
ceeding civilized nations were made to do
honor to the memory of the distinguished
dead. Statues and monuments OF the kings,
statesmen and heroes Of later and modern
times may be found in all the capitals and
great cities of Europe. But we, the last
born of great nations, are not only imi-
tating the people of other countries, but are
disposed to 20 much further in this phase of
hero-worship. This is well so far as we give
honor to whom honor is due, and as an encour-
agement to art. Every patriotic citizen de-
lights to see monuments raised to the immortal
Washington and TO the other patriots, heroes
and statesmen Of our country. They produce
an excellent effect in inspiring love Of coun-
try and Of those virtues and high qualities
which elevate the character But we are dis
posed to carry our hero-worship to an extreme,
to ignore the facts of history, and to do great
deal more to glorify ourselves, as well as fer
political effect, than to honor those we profess
to honor.
This leads ms to consider The approaching
ceremony of inaugurating the monument to
Stephen A. Douglas at Chicago. What was
there In Mr.. Douglas to honors We will be
frank and impartial Mr.. Douglas was self
made man In the general sense Of that term.
From an obscure birth and very limited educa-
ton he became one Of the foremost men Of our
country. He rose by the energy Of his charac-
tor and native intellect to be Senator and to be
. formidable candidate for the Presidency. He
was, In fact, ct one time one Of the most,
II not the most, controlling men In the
political affairs Of the country. He was
one Of the best illustrations or examples
Of the effect Of our institutions In forming
public men and giving them prominence. A
new country like the West, which had not
attained the high intellectual cultare Of the
old States, Afforded him every opportunity to
rise. By practice, - we'll - from native
talent he became fluent and successful stump
orator In these new communities. This was
the secret Of his elevation. Identifying himself
thoroughly with the section to which he be-
longed, he became popular, and rose from step
to step, rather rapidly, from . State Legislator
to the Senate Of the United States. This was
highly creditable and showed that he was no
ordinary man. Ambitious in . high degree,
and seeing the immense growing power Of the
West, he aspired TO be President while young
man and while there were formidable rivals
among the old statesmen Of other sections.
Never statesman himself, in the proper sense
of that word, al his efforts were directed to
supplant those who were. The aim Of his life
and oil his political conduct was TO become
President He believed he could attain this
by political management This led him into
fellowship with poor Pierce, JET Davis and
the other extreme pro-southcrn men. Under
their dictation the Missouri Compromise was
repealed, In which act he took a leading part.
This was the original source Of the fearful
troubles we have since passed through, and
Mr.. Douglas contributed . great deal to pro-
duce those troubles. After having acted for
some time with the extreme Southern men he
took another track to catch the popular vote
Of the North. In this new r6le he took that
popular sovereignty ground in the Kansas
difficulty that erected . gulf between him
and his former Southern supporters. Nothing
could satisfy or appease bis ambition short Of
the Presidency. He was reckless or blind ~
TO the welfare or peace Of the country. Perish
everything rather than his ambitious aims.
Such was the idea he and his numerous sup
porters entertained at the time the Charleston
Convention met In 1860. A more corrupt set
of politicians never adhered TO . public
man than those who supported him in that
Convention. This, together with his popu-
lar sovereignty record, was 80 Objectionable
that he could not get the nomination
for President Out Of spite, more than
from any hope Of being elected, he
broke up the Convention and run upon
separate nomination obtained from rump
convention. This, Is everybody Is aware, led
necessarily to the election Of Mr.. Lincoln, the
republican candidate, and to the terrible war
Of secession through which we have passed.