The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-08-26
r. e. aoodell for Congress

The Illinois Stats Register, after filling four
or five columns with extracts. from a LARGE
number of both democratic and republican
papers OF this state favoring the election Of
X. f. Goodell as congressman for the state at
large: makes these remarks:
As yet no decisive movement has been n.ado
to designate the peoples choice of democratic
candidate for congress at large, except in favor
OF our esteemed citizen r. E. Goodell, it is par.
ticularly gratifying to US to notice that citizen
OF Springfield, admired for his manly qualities
and respected for his abilities, is 30 generally
acknowledged to be the right man. 1t is e..
pecially matter of congratulstion that the
press, which gives tone to public opinion and re-.
meets public sentiment, has spoken in deserved
terms OF praise of that gentleman. He is ex.
ceedingiy popular throughout the state, and we
know OF no one who can command larger vote
throughout the Central and northern portions nj
Illinois, while in the south, he can carry the en-.
tire party vote, with large accessions from the
conservatives.
Mr. HoodelI has uncommenly good business
qualities. He is thoroughly acquainted with
the situation of public men, and is well skilled
in the important topics which will constitute
the Leading issues of subsequent contests. He
has made free trade study and is practically
conversant with its cognate themes. He il
live man, briln full of energy, an incesssut
worker, and, if nominated, will make lively
resoiute' and, We believe, successful canvass
lie has that rare faculty Of attracting and at.
tachinR people to his views and person, possessed
by few, and which is an augury to success We
need not state that he is an ingrained democrat:
while he maintains the soundness of his own
opinions, be Is tOlsrent of the views of others
and comedies that diverse opinions NAV be hon.
estly entertained. Without claiming to be
professional "talkist," few men excel him in
demonstrating the justnes. of his convictions.
As proof OF personal popularity the fact NAV
be mentioned that Mr.. Goodell was, with one or
two exceptions, unanimously endorsed by both
republican and democratic senators, for canal
commissioner. His business engagements at
the time prevented his seeking the position and
during his temporary absence from the country.
another was chosen. He is, in no sense a rsrs
politician; has never asked political Office. and +,
outside OF all the rings" and "cabals" that have
made politics offensive. .- ~
We give In another column the vie Va Of The
newspaper press on his election o. standard
bearer. his nomination will scatter the radical
factions like frost before the san. and cement
the union Of the democratic and con servatiye
elemena From the tone Of the press We con.
clude that bis selection is nearly an accomplished
faet. Whoever may lead the radical column
may depend upon having an honorable, gene.
rous, yet resolute and energetic opponent.
We should state that this mstured sentiment
IN favor OF our popular fellow citizens 10 spou.
taneous Having had no aspirations for politi.
cal Office, his name in the present instance has
been suggested. not on account Of his claims,
nor because OF his wish, but because Of the be.
het that he will ably fill the office and amply
perform it, duties.