Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1900-09-29
sketch Of His Career.

Four years ago Gen. Palmer was the
candidate for president on the national
or gold. democratic ticket. Gen. Buck
ner was the vice presidential candidate
Gen. Palmer and his supporters knew
there was no chance for him to be elect
ed on the gold democratic ticket. but
there did seem TO be a chance OF dividing
the democratic vote and this was con-
sidered the next best thing. The two
gold democratic candidates made an cx'
tcnsive tour talking against the free sill
yer ticket. At many places In the doubt.
full states they were hooted and reviled
by those who had remained steadfast &c
the democratic platform.
Palmer was Of an old school OF Illinois
politicians. to which Stephen A. Douglas
Abraham Lincoln. Gen. Shields and mcr
of that character belonged. He was a
Kentuckian. having been born ut Eagle
Creek. Scott county. September IL. 1871
In 1882 he went to Illinois and In 1910 ht
was admitted to the bar. When he wal
l6 years old Senator Palmer entered the
Alton college. which was started about
that time on the manual labor plan.
He remained there n year. ana Their
taught school In Fulton county. Soor
after he went TO Carlinville. ILL.,. where
his brother. a Baptist preacher. was Nv
ing. There young Palmer entered the law
office OF John s. Grcathouse. In 1913 Pal
mcr was elected probate Judge OF Macou'
pin county. When the Mexican wal
broke out he raised company to fight
the Mexicans and rendered his services
to Col. Z. d. Baker. However. Capt
Palmer's men were not needed. and ht
lost the distinction of being Mexican
was veteran. Judge Palmer's first fight
for the negro was In 1877. when he wai
elected n member Of the constitutions
convention. When the Missouri compro'
mise was repealed in 1854 and the Kan
sas-Nebraska troubles came the peo
pie in the north became alarmed over thu
threatened extension OF slavery An ex'
ira session of the Illinois legislature wal
called and Senator Douglas was deter
mined to have nm Endorsement OF hii
course. Then came the first contest be
tween the Little Giant" and Palmer
Mr.. Douglas was successful and for Pal
mer's part in the contest Il was decided e
defeat him In his own district. The con
vcntIon declared against any man whit
should oppose tho Kansas-Nebrnska act
Senator Palmer made the race ms an In
depcndcnt democrat and was elected.
Palmer was the chairman OF the firs
Illinois republican convention. which wa:
held in the city Of bloomington and wa:
n delegate to the national convention II
Philadelphia and nominated Fremont
Entering the campaign OF 1856 with Lin
coin and Trumbull he resigned his place
in the senate on the ground that he hat
changed his politics since his election
and could no longer act with the demo
Gratis. When the war broke out he or
ganized the Fourteenth Illinois volunteers
and was made colonel. At the battle o.
Stone river he distinguished himself nnt
for heroic conduct was made major gen
eral. He remained in command Of hii
division until the battle OF Chickamnuga
where his command remained unbrokei
and fought 20 the end After the battl,
OF Peach Tree creek and the investment
OF Atlanta came the controversy over tn,
question OF rank between Gen. Palmer
and Gen. schoheld. which resulted II
sending his resignation TO President Lin
coin. II was never accepted and In 1855
ne was appointed to the command of thu
Department Of Kentucky. The election
OF Gen. Palmer to the govcrnorship
his controversy with President Grant
over the sending OF troops to Chicago
his separation from the party he hat
helped to found. his assumption of tn,
leadership OF the democratic party II
Illinois and the magnificent campaigns h,
mnde for governor and for senator ARE
ali matters Of recent history. The sena'
torial race between. Gen. Palmer and Johr
A. LOGAN in 1890 was the most exciting
in the states history and after weeks OF
balloting Palmer was elected by the votes
of three popullst members Of the leglsla'
fure