ernment possesses constitutional authority to legislate on that
subject and is thus responsible for its existence."

In accepting the nomination of this new party Mr. Van Buren declared his
full assent to its anti-slavery principles. The result was that in New
York he received the votes of more than half of those who had hitherto
been attached to the Democratic party, and that General Taylor the
candidate of the Whig party was elected. At the outbreak of the civil
war he at once declared himself in favor of maintaining the Republic as
a Union. Unhappily he died before the close of the war and was thus
deprived the satisfaction of seeing perpetuated the Union he so dearly
loved. On the 24th of July, 1872, at his home in Kinderhook, he passed
from death into life.

STEPHEN ARNOLD DOUGLASS.

One of the most noted statesman of the day was the subject of this
narrative. Short, thickset, and muscular in person, and strong in
intellect Stephen A. Douglass came to be known as 'The Little Giant.'

For many years he held a very conspicuous place in the political history
of the republic. He was a native of the 'Green Mountain State,' being
born at Brandon, April 23d, 1813. When he was about two months old his
father, who was a physician, died, and his mother removed to a small
farm, where Stephen remained until he was about fifteen years old.
Having received a common school education he was very anxious to take a
college course, but this being impossible, he determined thereafter to
earn his own living. He accordingly apprenticed himself to a
cabinet-maker, but his health would not allow the pursuit of this
business, and he was compelled to abandon the undertaking.

When he was possibly able he removed to Illinois. Upon his arrival in
Jacksonville his entire wealth consisted of the sum of thirty-seven
cents. He determined to start a school at a place called Winchester,
some fifteen miles from Jacksonville, and as he had little money, walked
the entire distance. Arriving in Winchester the first sight that met his
eyes was a crowd assembled at an auction, and he secured employment for
the time being as clerk for the auctioneer. For this service, which
lasted three days, he received $6, and with this sum he started a
school, which occupied his attention during the day.

For two years previous he had studied law during his SPARE MOMENTS; much
of his time nights was now devoted to the completion of his legal
studies. Bein