Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-02-27

ed. They hoped he might give an an
swer to these resolutions that would
save him. They knew he was right :;
that he was strongly anti-slavcry in his
sentiments that he was deadly oppos-
ed to the Fugitive Slave Act that he
was able and honest that he was
the choice of his party for Senator
and they were SO anxious for his cleo
ton, that some of his best friends hop
ed he would be able to so word his re
ply. that they might construe it in a
manner that would secure his election
The noble Judge heard all the sugges-
tions OF his friends with patience, and
gave each one due consideration but
when the time for decision came, he
said in substance ''that he apprceia-
ted the kindness of his friends that
he would not deny that he would ike
to be Senator; but. on the subject of
these resolutions, his position was firm
ly fixed that he was sure he was
right, and that if he knew he could Sc
cure the Senatorship for life by equiv
ecating in a single word, he would not
do it" He did not eq,acoca.e but
gave manly, frank avowal Of his SEN
timents, with the full knowledge, in
the then temper Of the Legislature,
that it would cause his defeat. Bp
was honest and true to himself, and
true to his convictions and honest
and true to the people. Well do we re-
member this reply of Judge Howe to
his admiring friends. We knew it
would lose him the election at that
time, which We deeply regretted but
We admired the man for his integrity
and firmness. We knew he was
man the party could tie to with safety
that he would never betray principle.
His subsequent career has proved the
| correctness Of this estimate of his
character. 1t has been understood
that Judge Doolittle was in accord
J with Judge Howe on the principles
embodied in these resolutions but he
prepared an elaborate letter committing
himself fully to the State Sovereignty
doctrine and thus secured his cleo
ton as Senator. The slight relaxing
| by Judge Doolittle from what was un-
derstood to have been his honest con-
yictions of right, in order to secure a
seat in the United States Senate, may
have been the first step in the wrong
direction, that has led to so singular
course In the future life of our late
Senator. The State Journal cordially
supported the claims of Judge Howe
in this contest, and deeply regretted
his defeat. The manner in which the
defeat was accomplished, only caused
the friends of Judge Howe to adhere
more firmly to him, and with the close
of this campaign for Senator, the next
one which was to take place four years
thereafter, may be considered to have
commenced, in his behalf
The candidates before the Legisla-
ture in 1861, We're ex-Gov. Alex. ".
Randall, who was then Governor, G.
G. Washburn, our present Governor,
and Judge Howe. Gov. Randall
prospects at the commencement Of the
session, seemed best. He was popu-
lar as Governor, and had many warm
friends supporting him for Senator.
The campaign was active, and as it
progressed, both Howe and Washburn
developed unexpected strength On
the first ballot in caucus. the vote
stood: Washburn 33 Howe 20 !; |
Randall 26: scattering 4. Nine bal
lots were held without choice, and on
the 9th the vote stood Washburn 80 /;
Howe %; Randall 81; scattering |.
At this time, the secession movement |,
had begun to open the eyes of the
State Sovereignty Republicans, and
the prejudice against Judge Howe on
account of his position on this subject,
was rapidly diminishing. The caucus
adjourned from 18th to 22d of Jan
uary; and Gov. Randall seeing no
prospect Of success, Withdrew, and
Judge Howe was nominated, receiving
81 votes to 36 for Mr. Washburn.
While this contest was sharp one, no
bitterness entered into it. 1t was
contest between friends and caused no
disturbance among them
Senator Howe entered upon the du-
tios of his high office on the 4th of
March, 1861. The manner in which
he has discharged the trust reposed in
him by the people Of Wisconsin is well
known. He has been true to the
country; true to his party true to
his own convictions (and they have
generally been righD watchfal of
every national or local interest," con-
stant in his attention to duty able
and upright in all things and now
occupies a position of influence in the
highest Legislative body in the world,
second to no man in it. Such, in
brief, is the position held by our dis
tinguished Senator among his fellows
and he is none the less admired by the
people Of Washington, and of all por-
tons of the country where he has be-
come known, that he is by those Of his
own State and his fame is familiar to
the people OF every State in the Union.
His fame is notconfined to Wisconsin. I'll
is national. That the people of his
own State duly appreciate his charac-
ter and worth, they have given abund-
ant evidence of the fact. that in 1867,