Dongias, Stephen Arnold

(April 23, 1813—June 3, 1861), was born at Brandon, Vt. He worked on a farm, taught school, and at the age of twenty-one began the practice of law in Illinois. Soon afterward he waa Attorney-General of the State, member of the Legislature, and an unsucce ful Democratic candidate for Congre . In 1840 he became Secretary of State of Illinois, and in 1841 Judge of the Supreme Court of the State. Judge Douglas was in the House of Representatives from 1843 to 1847, and in the Senate from 1847 to 1861. During this period, when the slavery i ue came to overshadow all other questions, the “* Little Giant,’ as Douglas was affectionately styled, became one of the leaders of his party. In Congre he favored the acquisition of the whole of Oregon, and was chairman of the important Committee on Territories. He advocated the compromise of 1850, and formulated the doctrine of Popular Sovereignty (which see). In accordance with the latter idea he reported in December, 1853, the famous Kansas-Nebraska Bill (which see). His name was presented to the Democratic National Conventions in 1852 and 1856. While running for re-election to the Senate in 1858, he carried on a joint debate with Lincoln, which brought the latter into national prominence. Douglas was nominated for President by the Northern wing of the Democratic party in 1860, but received only twelve electoral votes, although a large popular vote was thrown for him. He survived the outbreak of the Civil War but a a. | few months, supporting to the end the cause of the Union. Life by Sheahan. 228