Speech of John T. Stuart, September 4th, 1877 (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from Speech of John T. Stuart, September 4th, 187...)
Excerpt from Speech of John T. Stuart, September 4th, 1877
The old settlers reunion in the year 1877 'was held at Sulphur Springs, near Loami. The gathering was honored by the presence of John C. Power and John T. Stuart. Mr Power made a few remarks and Mr. Stuart gave the address of the day.
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John Todd Stuart was a lawyer and a United States Representative from Illinois.
Background
John was born near Lexington, Kentucky, United States on November 10, 1807. Among the prime factors of his life were his Scotch-Irish ancestry, his Kentucky background, and his Southern traditions.
He came of substantial family, his father, Robert Stuart, being a Presbyterian minister, formerly of Virginia, who became the first professor of languages in Transylvania University. His mother, Hannah Todd, was the daughter of Gen. Levi Todd; he was thus a cousin of Mary Todd Lincoln.
Education
He graduated from Centre College, Danville, Kentucky in 1826.
Career
He was licensed as an attorney in 1827, and in 1828 made the rough journey on horseback to Springfield, Illinois, then a small frontier village, where he opened a law office. He enlisted as a private in the Black Hawk War, was elected major, served in the same battalion as Lincoln, and, like Lincoln, reenlisted after discharge.
After serving in the state legislature (1832 - 36), he sought election to Congress. He was defeated in the congressional election of 1836; but in 1838 he defeated Stephen A. Douglas in a contest which was spectacular and wholly remarkable. Stuart won by a majority of 36 in a total vote of over 36, 000.
Reelected in 1840, he served four years in Congress (1839 - 43), being a member of the important committee on territories. Meanwhile, Stuart was again elected to public office, serving in the state Senate, 1848-52.
Seeking reelection in 1864, however, he was defeated by Shelby M. Cullom. He continued his law work long after the war. Vigorous in old age, he was steadily at work until a week before his death.
He died in Springfield and was interred in the Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Achievements
John Todd Stuart was the founder of the firm, once known as "Stuart and Lincoln, " that is still operating under the name "Brown, Hay, & Stephens". He also found time for active connection with such enterprises as the Springfield City Railway Company, the Bettie Stuart Institute (a school for girls), the Illinois Watch Company, the building of the state house, and the Lincoln monument association, of which he was president.
(Excerpt from Speech of John T. Stuart, September 4th, 187...)
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Politics
Follower and admirer of Henry Clay, he soon became the leading spirit among the Whigs of the Sangamon region. He was typical of that group of old-line Whigs who opposed the Republican party: he supported Bell in 1860 and, while steadfastly loyal to the Union, became during the war an active opponent of the Lincoln administration, whose emancipation policy he abominated. This circumstance led to a striking result in 1862 when as Democratic candidate for Congress he defeated the administration candidate, Leonard Swett, in the President's own district.
Views
Quotations:
When opposing Lincoln during the war he was careful to say: "Difference in political opinion since 1856 has in no wise diminished my respect for the man or the confidence I have ever had in his integrity".
Personality
Stuart was tall, sturdy, and strikingly handsome.
Connections
On October 25, 1837, he married Mary Virginia Nash of Jacksonville, Illinois.
