The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-07-26

Robert q. lngerSOll was best known be-
cause of his views on religious topics
but his Introduction to the country at
large was by reason of political and not
an agnostic address. II was in 1876 when
he made the address nominating James c.
Blaine for the presidency. 1t was in
this speech that Mr. Blaine was first al
luded to as the "Plumed Knight"
IngersOll was born in Dresden, n. Y.
Aug. H. 1888. and was the son of a Con-.
gregational minister. 1t is stated that the
Rev. Mr. Ingersoll was somewhat lib.
eral in his views and that this iberality
antagnized the more orthodox members
of his congregation. The son naturally
agreed with his father but even before
he had passed out of boyhood he had
gone much further upon the liberal ROAD
than Ingersoll, Sr., had ever dreamed
of.
Early in the forties the Ingersols re.
moved to Wisconsin and little later to
Southern Illinois. Bob Ingersolls boy
hood and early manhood were passed in
that state. At is he entered the office
of his elder brother Ebon G. Ingersoll
when of age was admitted to the Illinois
bar and with his brother opened a law
office at Shawneetown. Both were Dem
ocrats and prominent in local politics
Ebon c. became congressman, and at
tion to be himself sent to the house of
representatives from his home district
In 1857 he removed to Peoria, where he
devoted much of his time to political
speaking and acquired considerable local
fame. In 1860 he was offered the Demo.
cratic nomination in a district that was
Overwhelmingly Republican. He ac-
cepted and was beaten so badly that he
never ran for office again. He settled
down to the practice Of law, but upon
the breaking out of the civil war en-
lered the Union army after organizing a
regiment of cavalry, the Eleventh Illi-
nols. of which he was made colonel. lie
made a reputation as a soldier for per-
sonal daring and dash. Most of his SER
vice was in Tennessee.
When his term Of service expired he
returned to Illinois. In politics he be-
came Republican and his rise in the legal
profession was rapid. In 1866 he was ap.
pointed attorney general of Illinois
which post he filled for several years
Ten years later, in 1876 he became a
delegate to the national Republican con-
vention, and his nominating speech was
the sensation of that occasion.
Before the people had done talking
about the "Pumed knight speech he
made his .amous indianapolis speech"
This memorable address began: "The past
rises before me like a dream 1t lee
trified the soldiers before whom 10 was
delivered.
II was not until after this speech that
the ya9iA came to know IugersOlls S
yiexs OF religion. He was offered large
runs by lecture bureaus to speak on
any topic he chose throughout the coun-.
try and he selected the Bible as his
theme. Most people remember the lect-
ures he delivered. Perhaps his Mis-
takes Of Moses" was the most famous.
or Infamous. as one may look at It.
In 1871 Ingersoll was offered the posi-
tion Of United States minister 10 Ger
many, but refused it, and a short time
after that removed to New York. where
he took up the practice of law and be
cape one of the most successful legal
lights Of the metropolis