The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1867-12-05
From the Rochester Union
stephen A. D0uyias-An Incident
In HIS Life.

1854, that the writer Of this became per
sonally acquainted with senator Douglas
He was then 10 the very zenith OF hi
fame, in the full possession OF his remark
able powers, the idol of an enthusiastic
constituency, and one who was not onl,
great in mouths of wisest censure," blu
who stood uuawed-''a Senator within tn,
Senate house" His acquaintance wa
sought and a personal interview almos
imperativsly demanded by every new
conner to Chicago. At this period the
young America" corner of Randolph
and Dearborn streets. was the ackuowl
edged headquarters of the statesman, the
politician. the commercial man, and thu
exte nsive Spectator.
Here we're discussed all points of hon
orabie controversy; which disputes were
here settled and fnallv disposed of; large
bushes, transactions were here first en-
gendered, talked over, and concluded
upon In fact, the Young America
was the general resort for all classes o.
people having claims to character, position
aud responsibility, and, more than all, i
was the home of Douglas. He was mar
Of uncommon conversational powers; he
had little to do with trihes his "talk'
was coherent, captivating and instructive
and Of consequence he ever had a crowd
of listeners and attentive ears about him
1t was on the morning Of the Fourth OF
July Mr.. Douglas was in the enjoy
meDt of an unusual flow of good spirits
the day and the occasion may have had
much to do with this, for the
spirit stirring drum and ear piercing ffe''
were busy with their clamor, and all Chi
eago was astir; it was 4 birthday Of a ma
tons greatness. An involuntary express
sion escaped the lips of Mr. Douglas as he
heard the stihed roar of a far distant can
non: "This is the 4th of July Gentle-
men," said he ID one and all, Il well re-
member the return of this day when l
was abroad in foreign land If it was
not day big with the fate of Rome, it
was one to me of uncommon excitement
and interest I was at Messina, and at
the suggestion Of Captain Hunter, of
Texas notoriety, and who was subsequent
ly dismissed the service for going beyond
just exercise Of proper authority (al-
and heroism, and SO generally considered
at the time) We ordered sort of cab, or
cGlGche, to convey US to remote point
overlooking the placid, unmoved waters Of
the still and quiet Mediterranean.
Here, reclining in as graceful posi-
ton as a gentle slope would furnish, no
one within miles from our secluded spot,
III
drew from his pocket copy of the De-
claration Of independence, which, in a
spirit of true patriotism, be had stealthily
concealed about his person, the more, per-
haps, to animate, if not surprise me,
when We should have reached the point of
our proposed destination. Without a
word By way of introduction, he opened
the little volume in his possession, and in
a clear and emphatic manner read to me
Its valued precepts and stern resolves.
Perhaps at period Of my life had |
been SO i'm. r so completely carried
away as d this instance by the
force and 10 lag of this sublime aud
coz prehensive paper. 1t seemed to
awaken NE to a new existence, and, gen
tlemen, this is the first time in my life
that ever made an allusion even to this
matter-for it has been in my memory
locked aud. as it were, 'unmxed with
baser matter; and let me now say to you
that, had | been called upon by the most
fattering invitation of my many friends,
giving me ample time for the fullest exer-
else of my best ability, could not have
produced such an Grafton as | delivered
only to the person of Captain Hunter on
that day felt myself as though was
fully ana extraordinarily inspired; words
flew and bounded to my lips with rapid
ity almost beyond my power to give them
utterance. 1t was an occasion | shall
never forget, nor one the like of which
shall ever again enjoy. At this immediate
juncture the United States ship St. Louis
hove in sight, Captain Ingraham in com
mand, who, by some unaccountable in
stinet, ordered his gig ashore, where he
soon found himself in our company, en-
joying our society, our glee and merri-
meut. We related to Kim the achieve.
ments Of the day, the manner in which
we had celebrated the glorious Fourth
the Captains happy manner Of reading
the Declaration of Independence, my I'M
prom'u Grafton and all that sort of thing
when Captain Ingraham at once thought
it no more than his right that he should
have some share in the celebration Of {
day so dear to them, made doubly SO unde
the circumstances Of such an unexpected
meeting. Acting upon this resolve, he a
once dispatched his coxswain to the shil
with an order to bring off basket vel
stored with cold meats aud sandwiches
together with a half dozen of choic
sherry, basket Of champagne, cigars, etc
1t was then we had a celebration Of tn
4th of July over again ; and it may be som
Of you think this concluding suggestio
so entirely carried out by Captain Ingra
ham was the best part Of it--and perhaps,
said Douglas, with smile peculiar to him
self, and slight, we'll understood twink
of his eye, 81 thought so too"