Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-08-28

the Representatives, Senators, and civilians.
Of these there are many that would fill the
Office with dignity and safety to the country.
Allow me to suggest the names of three or
four who are safe, reliable. and probably
available among whom take great pleasure
in naming Speaker Golfax of Indiana. He is
small man. physically, but perfect bundle
Of nerves intensified, and as true as steel to
the country and government Another man
of great ability and statesmanship is Senator
Wilson of Massachusetts,. And yet another
is Senator Wiley of West Virginia. Any
one of these might be trusted with all GER
tainty, vet they are neither of them my in
dividual choice. But as Westward the
Star of Empire takes its way" so to the
Westward my mind and Judgment so IN
search of the man. His beautiful and happy
home is located very near the geographical
centre of this great Republic, but so far as
occupancy of territory is concerned we say
that he is a Western man.
He, whom, if the casting vote were left to
me, 1 would elect to that high and response
BILE position was born in the State of Illinois,
August &c, 1920. But Indiana has claim
upon him, as his parents removed to that
State early in the life of the lad. Asbury
University is his Alma Mater, he having
graduated there in lS45 to the first College
degree. Subsequently he received from the
same Institution the degrees first of A. NJ,
and then of Ii. ID.
In the fall of 1915 he was elected Profess
sor of Languages in 90 Iowa City College. 5"
In the spring of 1847 he was elected Super
intcndent of Public Institutions in his adopt
ed State, Iowa. During the same year he
completed his course of study in the legal
profession, and was admitted to the bar and
commenced the practice of his profession as
attorney and counsellor at law in Iowa City
In 1853 he was chosen President of the
:" Mount Pleasant Collegiate Institute"
This school, by act of Legislature, was
changed to University the same year, and
he found himself at the head of the greatest
of all the schools of the West. But his way
soon opened in another direction. Having
become generally known in the State, the
Commonwealth demanded his services. In
the winter of 1915 he was elected by the
Legislature of Iowa to the United States
Senate for the term of six years. Upon
being elected to the Senate he resigned his
position as President of the University, and
was elected 70 the Professorship of Political
Economy and international Law, in which
position he exercised himself during his
cations from Washington. In 1868 he was
chosen a member of Mr. Lincoln's Cabinet,
and given in charge of the responsible duties
| of Secretary of tho Interior. which duties he
discharged with great fidelity and credit to
himself and the nation Soon after the
death of our lamented Lincoln, he saw that
the headings of johnson were towards apOs
tacy to the Republican party, and towards
treason to the government. He immed lately
raised warming voice, gave the alarm, met
the President face to face, and stood firm by
the principles of the party that had saved the
country, while other Cabinet officers were
either silent or bought to coincide with trea-
son. This good and great man " refused to
bow the knee to Baal,' and seeing no
chance 10 turn the current of affairs, he
washed his hands Of all completely in the
matter, resigned his lucrative position and
returned home determined to be private
citizen rather than a paid servant of wrong.
Such is brief and imperfect sketch of my
choice for the next President of this great
and growing country. Such is a brief sketch
of the Hon JAMES HARLAN of the State
of Iowa.
One word more. All the elements of the
self-made man are found in the history and
character of Senator Harlan The elevated
places which he has been called TO occupy Mt
a comparatively early age have been honor
ably won. lie is an illustration of what
American youth may become may achieve
by a noble purpose, steadiness of aim, and
ardor of continued effort. even without the
adventitious fayors of fortune or patronage.
In the Senate of the United States Mr. Har-
| Ian was known not a mere politician but
as a high-minded, honorable statesman. As
an answering champion of freedom, no man
in the United States Senate stood firmer than
he, and in the Cabinet he set his - face as a
flint " against the wrong. One other
mark and | close this article already too
lengthy to be readable. Mr. Harlan is
faithful and earnest Christian 81.