The New York herald., 1869-03-06
ELIHU B. WAsHBURsE, OF ILLINOIS.

The warm personal friendship existing between
the President and Mr.. Washburne made it certain
some time since that the latter would be nominated
for some position Of Importance. His appointment
- Secretary Of State has, therefore, surprised no
one, although 1t has undoubtedly upset the calcula
tons OF many politicians and destroyed more than
one .Cabinet slate.n
Early Years OF the Premier.
Mr.. washburne is member Of one OF the best
known families in the United States, one Of his
brothers being member OF Congress from Maine
and another Q member OF Congress from
Wisconsin. The new Cabinet Minister was
born at Livermore, in Oxford county,
Maine-then Androscoggin, Massachusetts-on the
23d Of September, 1915, and is now in the
nfty-third year Of his age. At public school he
received the rudiments Of his education and after
wards studied at Kent's Hill Seminary. On leaving
school no was apprentced to the proprietor OF the
Kennebec Journal, where he learned the trade OF
printer, but did not follow the calling any length
Of time In 1888 he entered the law once OF John
Otas OF Hallower, afterwards member OF Congress,
and during the following year entered the law
school OF Harvard University, where he studied law
and graduated.
His Removal to the West.
At the time OF Mr.. washburne's admission to the
bar the prospect in New England was by no means
fortunes. He, therefore, az did many thou
sands Of others, went to the West, and
settled at Gaena ILL.,, then the headquarters
OF those engaged in lead mining, which was
found In the vicinity In great abundance. Here he
commenced the practice OF his profession, at first
with slender success but subsequently he won the
respect and confidence Of the people and attained q
large and lucrative practice. Although not looked
upon as brilliant lawyer ne had the reputation OF
being able reliable and honest. never taking case
for the sake Of fee alone but working diligently
for his clients For several years he quietly engaged
IN his professional duties ignoring politics entirely
Truth to tell, the district in which he resided was
not the time very favorable to the whgs which
party Mr.. washburne mad allied himself in the capa-
city Of voter. The prospect for q young man in
politics was pleasant only to those who supported
the democracy, and the new Secretary was prudent
enough to avoid becoming candidate that could not
possibly be elected In Is45 he married Miss Adele
Gratiot OF Galena . most estimable lady, the
daughter OF Colonel Henry Gratiot, the well-known
pioneer Of the Northwest whose brother, General
Charles Gratiot was the Engineer-in-Chief to the
Indian expeditions conducted by General w. II.
Harrison and others in that region OF the country.
His Entrance Into Political Life.
In 1852 Mr.. washburne's political opportunity ar
rived. That 'tide in the affairs OF men which,
taken at the nood leads on to fortune" had come
and with considerable skill he seized the advantages
offered and noated on TO prominence. The de-
mocracy in his district had been growing weaker
and weaker for two or more years back, but still
held the majority, and would probably have retained
It for some time longer had not chickering's and
dssensions In their ranks destroyed party
discipline and weakened them to o greater
extent than ever BEFORE For the first time
Mr.. washburne appeared before Q nominating
convention 90 an asptrant for the candidature
OF the whig party for the ONCE OF Representative In
Congress. He obtained It, and ran In opposition TO
the Hon. Thomas Campbell, who then represented
the district Alter an animated contest Mr.. WASH.
burne was elected by 2se majority, and has since
then been regularly reelected Whig and afterwards
republican principles took q rapid and firm hold
upon tho people Of the district after his election. In
1866 his majority was nearly 1900, in 1868 1t fell
70 . trins over 1900. and in 1860 rose to nearly
$1,000. During the reaction In 1852 he reelected
by not quite 1000 majority; but in 1884 the party re-
covered It's losses and sent him again to Congress
with $3.50 ahead OF his opponent, and at the two
elections that have followed MIR. WashDurne has
about retained this majority. His district which
was the First IN 1852 is the Third, and is OF
tine most steadfastly republican in politics In the
United States.
MIR. Washburne,s Career m n Politician.
When the Secretary OF state entered Congress the
wing party was on Its deathbed. The election winch
saw Scott badly beaten by Pierce closed the career
Of an organization which had claimed Its leaders
such men as Webster and Clay. The new Represen.
satlve had therefore, but few opportunities Of dis
tinguishing himself, oven his services as chairman
Of the Committee on Commerce beng limited by
circumstances. The pirth OF the republican party
however changed the political situation materially
The Kansas-Nebraska and other questions involving
slavery came up. too, at the time, ana Mr. wash.
burns ranged himself the side Of the opponents OF
slavery His speeches on tho KansasNeb
troubles, though not remarkable for their oratory
are nevertheless characterized by logical ar
rangcment and legal argument. lie warmly
espouscd oil measures OF public improvements which
would benefit the country at large, particularly those
seaing 10 the bsrbors Of the western iakes and 70