The Irish standard., 1908-11-28
AN INTERESTING SKETCH Of JAMES SHIELDS
Only Man the History Of This Country Who Was Elected
to Represent Three States in Succession in
the u S. Senate

A most interesting and unique figure
in the history Of Illinois is that pre-
sentcd by the career and character OF
james Shields. Member Of the state
legislature in carly days, he became
subsequently auditor, judge OF the su-
preme court. general in command OF q
brigade of Illinois volunteers III the war
with Mexico. and finally United States
senator. These various offices and dis.
ti,.ctions came to him from Illinois;
and these. it might reasonably sc SUP
posed would have sufficed to crown and
complete the public career OF q man SO
favored by political fortune. But this
was not the end, writes William ].
Onahan in the Chicago Record Herald.
Failing of reelection to the Uni :ed
States senate at the expiration Of his
ditions, Shields moved to Minnesota,
tEen a territory, and OF it's subsequent
admission as q state he was elected
one Of the senator's, the other being
Henry NJ. Rice. Having drawn tots for
the respective terms, Shields drew tt.e
short term, which terminated in 1860,
and having again failed Of reelection
from the same cause that defeated him
in 1llinois-the growing ascendancy OF
, 111o pnn1,h1ii.n,1 no y-f>-hn ,,-,vn
removed to another and moro distan.
state, California, wllero he was settled
at the outbreak of the civil war. His
sympathies and his military experier-
ces led him to offer his services to
President Lincoln, who promptly colr-
missioned Shields as brigadier general,
and he was assigned to service in Cen
cral Banks corps. then operating in
West Virginia.
While In detached command he won
the celebrated victory over tho hither-
to invincible Stonewall jackson. Short
ly after this he was nominated !.y the
president as major general, but the
senate refused to confirm tho nom:n.
alton, being Influenced partly. no
doubt, by political considerations
Democrats were not at the timo IN
great favor-and partly, also, no doubt,
from Misrepresentation regarding
General Shields conduct in relation to
a defeat suffered by a portion Of his
command at Port Republic. This de-
feat, as was demonstrated later. was
due to the disregard Of Shields orders;
at all events, the hostile action CT the,
senate caused his withdrawal from thc
army. He resigned his commission
and returned to California.
Shortly again his restless spirit stir
red him to another change, and this
time he sought a home in Missouri,
acquiring a farm near Carrollton IN
hat state. Hero in 1877 political for
tune once more opened to him Tire
doors of the United States senate. TIC
was elected to fill an unexpired term
SO that he now had the unique distinc.
tion of having been chosen to repre-
sent three different states Of the Union
'-at, Of course, different periods Of
time. This fact, uncxampled, believe
IL the history Of the senate. excited
wondering comment at the time, and
may justify an inquiry into the ctr
cumstances and character OF the man
who vas able to win for himself this
remarkable degree Of public favor
from SO many different states.
| Born in the County Tyrone, Ireland,
in 1906, James Shields came of fight
ing stock. His progenitors had fought
at the Boyne and Aughrim for the
Stuart king and several mad followed
Sarsdeld after the surrender of Linz
erick, to serve under the banners of
King Louis on the continent. So it
was that young Shields inherited the
warlike tastes and the ''rebel" sympa-
thies common to his countrymen. The
story Of his boyhood shows that ls
early manifested q taste for aQitar1