Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-10-08
JUDGE C0THREN AT LANCASTER


JUDGE C0ThREN AT LANCASTER.
An almost impromptu meeting
was gotten up at Lancaster last
Thursday evening, the hand-bills
being circulated for the same in the
village after adjournment of Court
in the afternoon. After supper the
band commenced playing in the
Court House yard, ana soon gath
cred persons enough to fill the
Court House to overlooking. Many
ladies were present, also many good
Republicans with Democratic voters
too, making IN audience Of between
four aud five hundred, to listen to
Judge Cothrcn on the political
issues Of the day.
After music by the band, Mr.
Bushnell, one Of the leading law
yers of Lancaster, gave speech Of
considerable length, but with many
good points, and the advantage of
being delivered by II brave soldier
who served under Hancock. whom
he happily enlogized, closing by
Introducing Judge Cothren MS the
lspeaker of the evening.
! Judge Cothren then made a calm,
dispassionate speech Of an hours
length, Of which we give an abstract
as follows:
Judge Cothren said he was not a
political stump speaker. Twenty
eight years ago the people called
him to judicial position which,
if not antagonistic to, was at least
not in harmony with active partci-
patton in politics; and during the
years that interviewed between lay
ing aside the office Of Judge and
taking it again, he had been 90
busily engaged in his professional
business to engage in political dis
cusslons, but recently he had been
dominated for Congress from this
District, under circumstances which
induced him to accept; not because
of the certainty or even the proba-
bility of his election, for n Republi-
can majority Of two thousand in
District was by no means easily
overcome, but because he felt called
upon in the present condition of
affairs, to do what he could towards
the restoration of harmony and
good feeling among citizens Of our
common country. lie was inclined
TO think they had made Il mistake
in nominating him because of his
lack of SO many qualities which go
TO make up II successful politician
He had neither learned to llatter
people for their votes, nor to sue
cesslully conceal his feelings or
opinions, and to pretend the thing
that was not, nor had he the smooth
ness OF tongue, or the magnetic
power of drawing people to himself
and convincing them, against their
better Judgment, rs To the effect OF
party policy or measures. The
man who had these qualities might
be 4 successful politician and popu-
lar with his party, but the office OF
Representative III Congress de-
manded something more than this
to bc complete. In his view that
was not strictly ii political Office,
though often so considered; the
Office to- which he was nominated.
had Il character broader and more
cXacting than could be met by a
mere politician 1t was the office
of legislator knowing the laws rs
they exist, and a broad and COM
prrhcusive view of the laws rs they
should he; u view broad enough to
tako in existing effects and their
appropriate remedies. The differ
encc between mere politician and Il
statesman was world wide. One
had self in view as the main spring
of all his actions; the other the
good Of lis constituents and his
country At large. lie did not pre-
sumo to claim tor himself the char.
actcr of Il statesman, but in stating
his view Of the difference in the
two characters lac was only dis
claiming the character # poll.
ticlan. Ner would he say anything
derogatory to his opponent. OF
their several characters and fitness
for that high Office, the people must,
and the people would, finally Judge.
II elected Is chat office his ann
should he in all things 10 faithfully
represent his constituency, and
having done his best in that regard
should leave them to praise On
condemn his course.
He was not prepared to make.
and would not make, Il set speech
tonight; the suddcnncss of the call
left 10 time for preparation. lie
would only give attention 10 a few
points rs plainly and briefly rs
possible. Partisan politicians MS
we'll as n partisan press made the
|