"Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it
be true or not, I can say, for one, that I have no other so
great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow-men by
rendering myself worthy of their esteem. How far I shall
succeed in gratifying this ambition is yet to be developed.
I am young, and unknown to many of you. I was born, and have
ever remained, in the most humble walks of life. I have no
wealthy or popular relations or friends to recommend me. My
case is thrown exclusively upon the independent voters of the
county; and, if elected, they will have conferred a favor
upon me for which I shall be unremitting in my labors to
compensate. But, if the good people in their wisdom shall see
fit to keep me in the background, I have been too familiar
with disappointments to be very much chagrined."

[Illustration: BLACK HAWK WAR RELICS.

Tomahawk. Indian Pipe. Powder-horn. Flintlock Rifle. Indian Flute.
Indian Knife.

From a photograph made for this Magazine.

This group of relics of the Black Hawk War was selected for us from
the collection in the museum of the Wisconsin Historical Society by
the Secretary, Mr. Reuben G. Thwaites. The coat and chapeau belonged
to General Dodge, an important leader in the war. The Indian relics
are a tomahawk, a Winnebago pipe, a Winnebago flute, and a knife. The
powder-horn and the flintlock rifle are the only volunteer articles.
One of the survivors of the war, Mr. Elijah Herring of Stockton,