The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1871-01-28
CAIRO BAR.
HON. wM, I. ALLEN.

In presenting the subject Of this brief
skc,ch--a gentleman extensively known
in the state -wo do not expect 10 say any
thing connected with his private or public
career in life no. already known 70 our
readers. His father removed into this
state and settled ct Marion, Williamson
county at "a very carly period Of its his
tory. Owing to the newness OF the coun.
try, advantages for education were ex-
treinely limited, and in all probability Of
low order. In view Of such circumstan-
ccs he was compelled 10 rely upon his own
Resources, aud became practically his own
teacher Endowed with mental power
possessed oy bu, few, and an Unborn thirst
for knowledge, he applied himself to study,
until, in short time, he had become more
than master Of few books, and had
earned not perhaps scollegc parchment
bat natures diploma and while IL cannot
be said OF Judg. Allen, that his
head was ever full OF Homer and Virgil
and running over with Greek and Latin,
ye; who thu, know. him will not say that
he Is, in the most compreh ensive signiGca-
ton Of the term, a scholar. At an early
period he occupied large space in public
eiiima:ioa. As . natural result the peo-
pie concluded to transfer his labors from
private 20 public life. In 1854, he WAS
elected to the lower branch Of the State
Legislature. This assembly then COM
prised eminent and talented men. Al
though Judge Allen was then quite young,
be ranked rs a prominent and leading
member, and took an active part In the
discussion Of measures connected with tho
most important interests of the State.
In 1855 he wa. appointed by President
Pierce United States Attorney for South.
ern Illinois. When the difficulty arose
between President Buchanan and Senator
Douglas, Judge Allen was regarded ~
among tho ablest supporters Of his senate
rial career in the West. A. one Of his
bosom friends and supporters no attended
the Charleston Convention. Being salts
lied that holding this portion vas To some
extent against the wishes OF the supporters
Of Buchanan In the State he ed after
having ably discharged its duties for five
years. Shortly after his resignation he
was elected Circuit Judge 10 All tine VA
cancy caused BY the death Of his father |
In 1861 no was elected to Congress, and
reelected in 1862.
lie was n member Of this body during
stormy and violent periods. Sectional
jealousy and animosity was manifested be.
tween different sections of the Union. |
More than this, internal feud and discord !
prevailed In the ranks Of the Democratic |
party. Many, very many, left 1t for Office
and public f.vors until it had become N
house divided against itself" 1t was An
hour of sore disaster and defeat to the
party, During the rapid changes which
took placc--and We may almost say, the
immense revolutions-no man stood more |
firmly, or more openly declared the prn. |
ciples Of the government and tho duty Of |
the party than Judge Allen. In the face
of Infatuated and drunken mobs, within
hearing of dangerous threats, did he de- |
nouncc usurpstion Of power aud inirac-
tions Of the constitution.
At the expiration Of his congressional
torn he resumed the practice Of his pro-
fession and removed from Marion to Cairo.
lie was member Of tho Constitutional
Convention In 1862 and also Of 1870 lie
took an active part in these conventions
and prepared much Of their work. He
Was Chairman Of the Committee on the
Bill of Rights in the last iConven-
tion and the author Of the
section, which will as long - the
instrument remains the fuudamsatsr lave
of the State shed honor upon its author. !
As to his standing as . lawyer, we need
only say that he ranks with the foremost
and profoundest jurists in tho State. Asa
criminal lawyer he stands alone without
a rival in Southern Illinois. His power
before jury is truly immeasurable.
Yet, this is not surprising when we coasid-
or his effective aud powerful delivery, solid
reasoning magnificent language, the sim