, 1867-04-26

who Is not only wen quaineu " 70 hnel
standard-bearer in the coming contest, but
possesses, in an eminent degree, all that
combination OF natural ability, legal acquire.
ments, knowledge Of human nature, and per.
ssTsring industry, which is requisite 70
properly represent US in the Congress of the
United States.
Through information which we gather
from old residents of the Territory, We learn
that Mr. Clarke, then a mere lad, was en-
plOyed in one of the logging camps on Pu'
get Sound, some sixteen or eighteen years
since, gaining bis livelihood by honest labor
among the sturdy forests, thrown entirely
on bis own resources, with no other support
than that gained by his own hands, and no
other counsellor than the promptiDgs of his
own mind. Steadily and perseveringly be
fought his way upward in the battle of life,
and at the age of twenty years had acquired
considerable reputation among the logging
camps as au advocate of right, his natural
impulses leading him to take part in such
legal proceedings as were had in Justices
courts, in which his keen perceptives, plaus-
ible address and plain and convincing style
of argument usually gained for him a de-
cided victory over his opponents. Incited
by a laudible ambition, he kept constantly
improving hiss mind, and soon commenced
the study of law in the Office of Col. Wal>
lace, who subsequently filled the Office for
which Mr. Clarke is now a candidate. Conn
pleting his studies, and being admitted to
the bar, he at once entered upon a success
ful and lucrative practice, which has steadily
increased with the growth of the Territory,
and he is to-day one of the ablest jurists and
most brilliant advocates among the legal
profession in our Territory.
In personnel Mr.. Clarke is tall, well formed,
of commanding presence, courteous and af-
fable in manner, and of very prepossessing
address, combining in his appearance and
department the dignity of the true gentle,
man and scholar, with the frank and easy
manners of the " man among men,"
He was elected member of the Terri
torial Legislature, about eight years since,
and has served continuously ever since, in
one or the other branch of our Legislature,
having been for the last four years the
Councilman from Pierce county, serving with
marked ability as President of the Council
in the session of 1864 and IS; and no bet>
ter proof of his personal popularity and faith
full discharge of his duties need be adduced
than his reelection from term to term with.
out ever having been beaten.
As debater, be is candid courteous to his
Ania, A-d pleasant iu his style, and aI~
though not governed entirely by Whately's
logic in his manner of presenting his argus
nents, he is clear and concise, while his
easy flow of language and graceful manner
of defamation render him at once polished
as well as fOrcible speaker.
His forte, however, is in working. What
ever he attempts he executes, and with him,
in whatever be attempts, there is no such
word as fail, if zeal, perseverance and ability
will attain the object; and there is no man
of either political party, who has ever been
associated with him in legislative bodies, but
will acknowledge that when be is beaten, no
other champion need attempt to win the
cause. Possessing also a fair share Of per-
Sonal ambition, which will act rs an incen.
tive to a thorough discharge of his duties.
be will prove, if elected, the ablest delegate
which this Territory has had since the days
of 1. l. Stevens.
In the practice of his profession be has
acquired an easy competence, has large Ian,
ded interests in the Territory; it is his home,
the home of his wife and children he is an
abiding citizen, whose interests are identified
with ours, and not an old political hack or
homeless adventurer seeking election for
the sake of mileage, but is a man of the
people, a staunch and life>loug democrat,
and we feel well assured will receive the en-
tire strength of the democratic vote of the
Territory, in June, a vote which we conf.
dently believe will place the interests of the
people in safe hands for the next two years.
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY MEETIsa.-The demo-
Gratis of Walla Walla Precinct will meet at Hell
muth'' Hall, on tomorrow Saturday afternoon,
at one o'clock, for the purpose OF electing nine
delegates to the County Convention. The CON-
vention for the purpose Of nominating candidates
for the Legislature, and to 6ll the county Offices,
will meet at the Court House, on Wednesday,
May lst. We trust the delegates to the Con-
Vsntion will come up prepared to nominate men
Of character and respectability to ell the various
Offices The Jeffersonian test UIa he honeat il