The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-05-26
JOHN M. PALMER FOR GOVERNOR.

Governor by the Democratic convention a
springfield on Wednesday finds It's chief
significance In the confidence II bespeaks
of ability 10 elect him. But for such con-
viction the convention would neither have
asked him 10 make the sacrifice the nomi-
nation involved, nor would he have con
sented, at his age, 10 forego his personal
ease and assume the labors and anxieties OF
the position for a mere forlorn hope. SO
the delegates on getting together from
every corner of the State and comparing
notes realized that with leader like him
"A man who ranked among the great ones
not only of the State bat of the natioR-of
an extended and spotless career as sol
der and victory was surely
within their grasp; and Gen. Palmer. with
all his aversion 10 come out of his pleas
ant retirement, yet with his sagacity born
OF many bygone political experiences and
successes, saw that the delegates In their
judgment were right and he was unable 70
forego the temptation TO crown his already
long and brilliant career with so notable a
triumph. 1t was like putting forward
Thos A. Hendricks, In 1876, for Governor
in Indiana, and again In 1884 TO take the
second place on the Presidential ticket, to
save to the Democracy State otherwise
hopelessly In the grasp of the opposition.
The name of John NJ. Palmer has been
honorably conspicuous In the politics of
this State tor over forty years. Born In
Kentucky In 1917, he came to Illinois in
1881, and as early as 1871 was elected Pro-
bate Judge of Madison county. In lS47 he
was elected member of the convention
that framed the constitution of 184S, an
instrument to the wisdom of which ILL
nois owes more than to any other cause the
career of prosperity and greatness upon
which she entered from the date OF its
adoption. II dissipated at once the cloud
of financial dishonor that 30 long had hung
over the State, and raised her credit to a
first place in the money centers of the
world.
Though born in slave state, like Lin.
coin, he also, like Lincoln, early foresaw
the approaching doom of slavery. and
though he had been elected to the State
Senate as Douglas man and Democrat,
when 1t was proposed In 1856, to re.elect
~ NJ l.. Al,
porter of the Nebraska bill, he was one of
five other Democrats IN the legislature of
that year who refused to enter the Demo.
cratic caucus, and thus brought about the
election of Lyman Trumbull to the U. s.
Senate. Though severely denounced as an
act of treachery to the party at the time,
subsequent events abundantly indicated
the sagacity and wisdom OF the movement.
When the war broke out he entered the
army as Colonel of 1lth Ill. Infantry, and
soon rose to the rank of Major General Of
Volunteers. As such he took a conspicuous
and honorable part In many memorable
campaigns and battles, which 1t would oc-
cupy too much space here to recall, end
ing his army career in charge of the mill
tary administration of Kentucky, In 1865,
during which, it is only necessary to say,
he won the highest applause of the loyal
element Of that State and was rs heartily
execrated by the rebel element
In 1868 he was nominated by the repub-
licans and elected Governor of Illinois.
His administration was noted for Its wis
dom and rigid economy, a notable instance,
illustrating the latter, being that he asked
for but 81 800 year to keep the governors
mansion and grounds In ORDER sum which
he rigidly devoted to that object, showing
annual vouchers for every penny; while
his successors have demanded and eX-
pended as high as $4,000 year for the
same pupose, really lavishing the larger
part of the sum on balls, entertainments,
receptions, &c, and devotlng comparatively
little to the only purpose for which the
appropriation is justihable.
1t was while Governor that Gen. Palmer,
on constantly recurring occasions, had his
old democratic instincts, which never had
been obliterated outraged by the contempt
uous disregard and violation of the rights
of the States In which the Republican
national administration at the time so
freely and wantonly INDUCED; and when
at length this sort of usurpation was brought
home to him In provokingly aggravating
form by the President ordering Gen. Sher.
idan, after the Chicago fire, to bring a
portion of the regular army to that city to
maintain order, when the constitution
made that the peculiar care and office of
the Governor of the State. Gov. Palmer
entered prompt and vigorous protest, and
although not disregarded, II was treated
with such supercilious hauteur at Wash
ington, that from thenceforth may he dated
the estrangement of Gen. Palmer not only
towards Gen. Grant but the Republican
party, and from his retirement from office
In 1872 may be dated his full return to the
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