The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-04-25
HONOR FOR DOUGLAS
Anniversary Observed at Norwich
University.


Mortified, April 23.-Judge F. l..
Fish of Vergennes addressed the
students of Norwich University here
tonight on stephen A. Douglas"
Judge Fish has made an exhaustive
study of the life of this American
statesman and his address tonight of
over 10000 words covered in full the
achievements of Mr.. Douglas. In
opening, Judge Fish said:
six years ago ] spoke to the stud
ents of Norwich University on 'Abra-
ham Lincoln, a Study in History
Tonight / have come TO speak on Step
hen A. Douglas, the Other Study
On the occasion referred to, it SEEM
ed to me that for the sake of gaining
the presidency Douglas had com
promised himself on the subject of
slavery and had been inconsistent in
his political career. To such thought
then gave utterance. After a care
full study and more impartial inquiry
ask permission to revise the former
judgment. Although it must be con-
fessed that he was wrong in his the
DRY of the solution of the perpleXed
question of slavery legislation, he
ought to be credited with being hon
est with this important question, and
he was not more inconsistent than
have been many of the great states
men of the English.
Zone hundred years ago today in
little story-and-a.h half house, still
standing in the village of Brandon,
Stephen A. Douglas was born. Fifty
two years ago this month he made
his last speech for the suppression of
the rebellion and the integrity of the
union. Fifty-two years ago the com
ing June he passed away. Young as
he was, for more than quarter OF a
century he had been in public life
During the decade from 1850 to 1850
he was the most conspicuous leader
of the Democratic party. After the
passing of Webster and Clay in the
early fifties he was the greatest de-
batter in the national forum. Viewed
from the standpoint of political &C
tivities, of forensic powers and ac
complishments, and of capacity for
leadership, he was the most remark
able man that Vermont ever pro-
duced.'
Jude Fish concluded as follows:
with a pomp BETTING an emperor
the great statesman was buried be-
side Lake Michigan. The spot is close
by the university which he founded.
1t is beside the central highway
which was created by his supreme eff
fort. 1t is in the midst of the imper-
ial city of Chicago which loved him
and upon whom he reflected so much
glory Here to the requiem of the
beating waves it is we'll that he
should sleep Above the fitting spot,
tall and imposing and crowned by the
statue of the orator. statesman and
patriot, stands the column erected by
the State of his adoption to remind
his own and succee ling generations
what manner of man he vas.
And we of his native State on the
centenary of his biz eld fifty-two
years after his death in such blaze
His great talents command our ad-
mration. His services for his coun
trys expansion and development mer-
it our respect and praise. If mis-
takes were made, let us attribute
these to broad. though erring
craftsmanship. and not TO selfish am
bitlon And whatever faults may
have been his and whatever prelude
es may have existed, let these be for
gotten in the thought that Stephen
A. Douglas stood side by side and
hand in hand with Abraham Lincoln
as long as life was spared to him, in
defense of the American Union"