Stephen A. Douglas | Page 7

5: Mr. B.F. Field in the Vermonter, January, 1897.]
[Footnote 6: For many facts relating to Douglas's life, I am indebted to
an unpublished autobiographical sketch in the possession of his son,
Judge R.M. Douglas, of Greensboro, North Carolina.]
[Footnote 7: Wheeler, Biographical History of Congress, p. 61; also
MS. Autobiography.]
[Footnote 8: Troy Whig, July 6, 1860.]
[Footnote 9: MS. Autobiography.]
[Footnote 10: _Ibid._]
[Footnote 11: MS. Autobiography; see Wheeler, Biographical History,
p. 62.]
[Footnote 12: _Ibid._]
[Footnote 13: Vermonter, January, 1897.]

[Footnote 14: MS. Autobiography.]
[Footnote 15: This story was repeated to me by Judge Douglas, on the
authority, I believe, of Senator Lapham of New York.]
[Footnote 16: This is the impression of all who knew him personally,
then and afterward. See Arnold, Reminiscences of the Illinois Bar.]
[Footnote 17: MS. Autobiography.]
[Footnote 18: MS. Autobiography.]
[Footnote 19: MS. Autobiography.]
[Footnote 20: Kirby, Sketch of Joseph Duncan in Fergus Historical
Series No. 29; also Historic Morgan, p. 60.]
[Footnote 21: _Ibid._]
[Footnote 22: Speech at Jonesboro, in the debate with Lincoln, Sept. 15,
1858.]
[Footnote 23: MS. Autobiography.]
[Footnote 24: Kirby, Joseph Duncan.]
[Footnote 25: James S. Anderson in Historic Morgan.]
[Footnote 26: Peck, Gazetteer of Illinois, 1834.]
[Footnote 27: MS. Autobiography.]
[Footnote 28: _Ibid._]
[Footnote 29: MS. Autobiography.]
[Footnote 30: _Ibid._]
[Footnote 31: Letter of E.G. Miner, January, 1877, in Proceedings of

the Illinois Association of Sons of Vermont.]
[Footnote 32: _Ibid._]
[Footnote 33: _Ibid._; MS. Autobiography.]
[Footnote 34: MS. Autobiography.]
[Footnote 35: Hon. J.C. Conkling in Fergus Historical Series, No. 22.]

CHAPTER II
THE RISE OF THE POLITICIAN
The young attorney who opened a law office in the Court House at
Jacksonville, bore little resemblance to the forlorn lad who had vainly
sought a livelihood there some months earlier. The winter winds of the
prairies, so far from racking the frame of the convalescent, had braced
and toned his whole system. When spring came, he was in the best of
health and full of animal spirits. He entered upon his new life with zest.
Here was a people after his own heart; a generous, wholesome,
optimistic folk. He opened his heart to them, and, of course, hospitable
doors opened to him. He took society as he found it, rude perhaps, but
genuine. With plenty of leisure at command, he mingled freely with
young people of his own age; he joined the boisterous young fellows in
their village sports; he danced with the maidens; and he did not forget
to cultivate the good graces of their elders. Mothers liked his animation
and ready gallantry; fathers found him equally responsive on more
serious matters of conversation. Altogether, he was a very general
favorite in a not too fastidious society.[36]
Nor was the circle of the young attorney's acquaintances limited to
Jacksonville. As the county seat and most important town in Morgan
County, Jacksonville was a sort of rural emporium. Thither came
farmers from the country round about, to market their produce and to
purchase their supplies. The town had an unwontedly busy aspect on

Saturdays. This was the day which drew women to town. While they
did their shopping, the men loitered on street corners, or around the
Court House, to greet old acquaintances. Douglass was sure to be found
among them, joining in that most subtle of all social processes, the
forming of public opinion. Moving about from group to group, with his
pockets stuffed with newspapers, he became a familiar figure.[37] Plain
farmers, in clothes soiled with the rich loam of the prairies, enjoyed
hearing the young fellow express so pointedly their own nascent
convictions.
This forum was an excellent school for the future politician. The dust
might accumulate upon his law books: he was learning unwritten law in
the hearts of these countrymen. And yet, even at this time, he exhibited
a certain maturity. There seems never to have been a time when the arts
of the politician were not instinctive in him. He had no boyish illusions
to outlive regarding the nature and conditions of public life. His perfect
self-possession attested this mental maturity.
One of the first friendships which the young lawyer formed in his new
home was with S.S. Brooks, Esq., editor of the Jacksonville News.
While Douglass was still in Winchester, the first issue of this sheet had
appeared; and he had written a complimentary letter to Brooks,
congratulating him on his enterprise. The grateful editor never forgot
this kindly word of encouragement.[38] The intimacy which followed
was of great value to the younger man, who needed just the advertising
which the editor was in a position to give. The bond between them was
their devotion to the fortunes of Andrew Jackson. Together they
labored to consolidate the Democratic forces of the county, with results
which must have surprised even the sanguine