Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-08-11
Decentralization a Crime Against
Humanity and Cause of the
Nations Discomfort.
The Republican Organization Ruled
by Monopoly and Pledged TO
Sweat the People Under
the Gold System.
From the Chicago Dispatch, July soth.


the Gold System.
From the Chicago Dispatch, July Both.
The widespread changes taking
place in political connections and the
realignment OF parties on the leading
questions, caused primarily and almost
wholly by the great money issue, are
receiving constant and striking illus
tration, but nowhere is the tendency
more pronounced than among the old
line republicans of the abolition school
and In the ranks OF the veteran SOL
diers who fought for human liberty,
The Dispatch is in receipt of hi gh-
| ly Interesting and timely commun-
ication from one of the most noted
and spirited of the old line leaders,
brave soldier, brilliant speaker and
stirring editor, who first became fam.
Gus as an ante-war time abolitionist
DIR. James Stout OF Idaho, formerl y
of Hin OILS.
The name OF DR.. James Stout is a
! household one, and his fame as a
sturdy abolitionist agitator, editor and
leader is a landmark in the political
history of Livingston, LaSalle, Bureau,
win and adjoining counties in Ill
inois, and in sections of Ohio, Ken
lucky and Indiana. One of the stir
ring incidents that gave DIR. Stout
great note was the "Nigger jim"
| episode, as famous n case as happened
under the Illinois fugitive slave law.
DIR. STOUT a FAMOUS LEADER
DIR. Stout lived near LaSalle. He
was born at Cadiz, o., and became n
hschool teacher in Kentucky and was
driven out of that state on account
of his abolition sentiments. He es-
tablished stations in the "undergrouud"
railroad" in Indiana, and then came
into Illinois. He had studied law and
was no mean authority in legal as
well as human rights. But he es-
tablished himself on farm in order
that his operat ons might attract less
attention. He was a compatriot Of
Owen Lovejoy in the anti slavery
crusade, and became one OF the Gel
ebrated characters o[-t tie d1ys Of Lin
com, -lls ! ll--TTiib BULL and Yates.
r During the war DIR. Stout published
| the Pontiac Sentinel, sending stirring
! editorial blasts from the battlehelds
where he was engaged as a volunteer
! soldier. In recognition OF his abil-
tiles and services President Grant in
1869 appointed him receiver of pub
lie moneys for the territory of Idaho
He is now an honored aud we'll known
citizen of Glenn's Ferry, in that state.
In this connection the negro "Jim"
story is worth being told as it happen
ed, and as showing the part DR.. Stout
| played III the stirring events OF 1888
to 1868.
ARRESTED FOR SLAVE STEALING.
The noted Judge John Dean Cation,
afterward OF Chicago, was presiding
over a session OF the Supreme Court
at Ottawa when "Jim" an escaped
negro slave, was brought before him.
/ Under the fugitive slave law Judge
Cation ordered the negro returned to
his owners, and DIR. Stout and his
brother volunteered to take him back.
Instead they took him to the house of
William Strawn, father of Judge G. G.
Strawn of Pontiac, the present state
chairman of the silver republican
party, who then lived at Odell and
and here the fugitive "Jim" was placed
on mule and by means OF the
underground railway" piloted to
Lake Michigan and to freedom in
Canada.
DR. Stout and his brother were ar
rested and tried before Judge Drum
> mond for contempt and converting
property. Judge Cation being wit
ness against them. Judge Drummond
ruled that questions could be asked
the witness tending to show DIR. Stout S
> motive in volunteering to return the
: slave. Stout feared Judge Cations
evidence on this point, and in great
trepidation but with his eyes flashing
: with determination said to the equal.
, ly determined court, as he brought
his clinched fist down upon the desk
DEMANDING A STRONG WITNESS.
"Your honor, | desire the clerk to
issue subpoena for God Almighty
as witness in this court, for il YOU
permit Judge Calon to testify as &c
what | thought. he does not know
but my witness does"
The court was dumfounded, and a
long stiffness ensued, broken by the
irreverent sheriff, who exclaimed in q
low voice:
!, God Almighty cannot be found in
this baillwickln
j The bible says: "Seek me and We
), shall find me-" was DR.. Stcuts ready
r retort.
| The court was overcome with the
r righteousness of the situation. but
Judge Drummond assumed a stern air
a and told Judge Cation to proceed and
" tell what he had seen and heard.
= " | have" answered Judge Cation.
r without hesitation, and the crisis for
! DIR. Stout was passed.
This is the man who many times
y risked his liberty and even his life fol
one time principles OF the republican