Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-09-18

! 10 overcome them, ana ne ala over
come every difficulty, and attained a
success that rarely falls to the lot of
any young man striving for fame
He not only achieved high position
for himself, but he brought honor
and fame to the Wisconsin university,
from which he graduated. Ia 1879,
several colleges in the northwest
made choice of representative to
meet In an oratorical contest. The
best scholars aud speakers were
chosen, and in the Wisconsin uuiver-
sity, the selection to represent it fell
upon Robert NJ La Toilette. He
represented the state as well. The
contest took place early in May, 1879,
in Iowa City, and the prize was won
by universal accord of all who were
present, by the represe NATIVE from
our own loved university and glo-
rious Wisconsin-Robert NJ. La
Toilette. This triumph brought
honor to his college and TO the state.
No wonder that a man of so bright
promise as he indicated then, should
in 1884 be chosen by the people of
his district to represent them III con-
| gress. On the return of Mr.. La
Toilette from this oratorical contest,
in which he had attained renown, he
was received by the students of the
university and by the people of
Madison, with the honors due so
important an event. Hundreds of
people met him at the depot and
escorted him to the university; and
in the evening the assembly chamber
of the state capitol was filled TO
OVERLOOKING with ladies and gentle
men, DESTROYS of doing justice to the
young victor in the collegiate orator
ical contest. At this meeting, Hon.
K. w. Reyes, a regent of the univer-
sity, presided and made a glowing
speech in view of the honor Mr.. La
Toilette had brought upon that
institution. He was followed by the
late Hon. Geo. b. Smith, who spoke
in high terms of praise of the young
student, pronouncing him man of
very great ability, and concluding
his remarks with the following
choice words:
In this effort, his young friend had honored
his associates In the university had hon bred the
institution 70 which he belonged; had honored
the state of Wisconsin, and above all, and
! many times more important than all else, he
had honOred hts toid0Ued mother!
Speeches, highly complimentary in
their character, were also made by
Prof. Frankenberger and Col. VIM.
f. Villas. The late Prof. Watson,
who at that time had charge of the
Washburn observatory, was not able
to be present, but sent a congratula-
tory letter, in which the following
sentences occur:
Tell him Mr.. La Follette) that there are al
! ways worlds to conquer here; no tttin,r thule
| To limit his power. That he may achieve other
! victories and realize TO the fullest extent all
the bright hopes of his friends, is my sincere
| wish
The audience then insisted that
the young orator should repeat his
Grafton, Iago, which had won the
honor. This unanimous request was
responded to in a manner that
brought out loud and continued APP
plause from the large and intelli-
gent audience This closed one of
the most brilliant receptions ever
extended by the people of Madison,
to a young man who was yet stu
dent in the university. 1t was bril-
liant, cordial aud sincere-an honor
to the recipient of the highest order.
The progressive and brilliant
course of La Toilette did not stop
with his graduation from college,
which took place few weeks after
the grand reception that has been
described. He went right on. In
/ 1880, the next year after he left col
lege, he received the nomination for
district attorney of Dane county,
and was elected. In 1882, he was
re-nominated and reelected, run
ming very far ahead of his party
ticket. His discharge of duty in
this position has been able, active
and satisfactory to the people. lie
now, in five years after he left the
university, comes before the people
as candidate for congress- posi-
ton his learning, his ability, his en-
ergy and his oratorical powers most
admirably qualify him to fill with
honor to himself, and with benefit
to the people of his district.
The State Journal thus briefly
alludes to the character and &C
qulrements of Robes Nj. La Toilette
the republican candidate for con
gress. He has won this prominence
by hard work and will win the race
because of his ability and worth
His character is above reproach and
his friends, old and young, will de-
light to rally to his support. Let
all members of the party unite with
enthusiasm and secure the redemp-
ton of the Third congressional dis
trict to republicanism. Two years