Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-03-13
THOMAS EWING.

The following sketch Of Mr. EwINo is taken
from Watterson's Gallery OF American Portraits.
The sketch was written in 1886, when Mr..
Ewing was in the Senate Of the U. S. 1t will
serve TO give the reader some idea OF the charac-
Ter and intellectual power Of this gentleman,
who has been named as the Secretary Of the
Treasury under Gen. Harrison
Mr. Ewing was born in Virginia, in 1889.
His father was a revolutionary soldier, and soon
after the birth OF young Ewing, removed to the
State Of Ohio. Mr.. Ewing is indebted for his
elements Of knowledge TO the care and attention
Of his eldest sister, who taught him to read, and
the only accessible book being the Bible, he
employed himself in constantly pouring over its
sublime pages. When he was eight years old,
he was sent 10 school about seven months, and
the Only additional education he received till he
was % years Of age, was two quarters tuition,
under two successive teachers. But he had &C.
CURED love of reading, and all his leisure hours
were devoted to it, His father being in humble
circumstances, young Ewing's life was necessa-
rly laborious one; but, obliged as he was, to
toll daily, he nevertheless availed himself OF
every opportunity TO improve bis mind, and TO be
what his highest ambition then led him 10 become
a scholar But poverty seemed to oppose an
insuperabe barrier to his career, and he was
about yielding up to dependency, when q young
man, who had seen something Of the world, and
who was hired by his father as an assistant on
the farm, reused him from his apathy, and pre-
vailed upon him 10 accompany him to the Kama.
wha Salines, where he procured employment as
common laborer. After an absence of three
or four months, he returned with eighty dollars
in his pocket which he generously gave to his
father 10 save his land from being forfeited In
the following spring, Mr.. Ewing again returned
to the Kanawha Saines, where he labored as.
siduously till November, and succeeded in real.
izng about four hundred dolars-out Of which,
after paying balance Of sixty dollars still due
on his fathers property, he was enabled to in
dulge his favorite propensity, by spending the
winter at an academy at Athens, where he was
encouraged to make additional efforts to prose.
cute his studies, and acquire the power which
} knowledge besows. He returned once more to
his former labors, and continued at them for two
years. These severe tolls affected his health;
which, however, a short residence at home re-
stored, and he again entered the academy which
he had left about two years before, aud proceeded
to labor mentally, with the same ardor and in
tensty that he had labored corporealIy. His
progress is said to have been very rapid but
being satisfied that his funds, which were daily
diminishing, would be insufficient 10 enable him
to complete his education, he opened q school in
Galliapolis, which, in the course of quarter he
threw up, not liking the employment, and re-
turned to his former occupation at the salt works
He now hired furnace, and by extraordinary
labor he acquired sum in the course Of month";
10 enable him, as he believed, to complete his
2 studies. He was right; and in the spring Of Is
J he received The degree Of A. g., and was the
first TO receive that aCademical honor in Ohio
He was now 26 years of age, and commenced
, the study OF the law, in the office Of General
, Beecher, who, after he had finished his legal
studies, from high opinion OF his powers, took
him into partnership, and in his new and favorile
; profession he rose rapidly TO distinction. As a
proof of his ardor and assduity, he practced in
eight different counties in the State in which he
lived. His flial affection was again manifested,
in the purchase of fine tract of land in Indiana,
with the proceeds of his profession, on which he
placed his father and family. He had now &C
quired so high reputation Tor ability and talent
at the bar, that the Legislature OF Ohio elected
him, in 1882, 10 represent that State in the Sen
ate OF the United States; and in this distinguished
body he has continued ever since, with an in
crease Of fame, and an untiring application to
The important duties Of his station, that has given
} him claim TO the gratitude Of his country.
; Mr., Ewing is, in person, athletic and mnscu
lar, broad across the chest vigorous, but not eIe
giant in his proportions, or graceful in his mo
lions. His countenanCe is expressive Of goot
nature, and enivened by frequent smle ant
though awkward in his appearance, his manner:
( have a natural ease that even an early intercourse
J with refined and polished society could not have
5 rendered more agreeable. Nature has bestowed
G upon him mind Of great powers which have
: been cultivated 10 the extent his limited mean,
and opportunities would afford 1t is analytic
. and logical, rather than brilliant and imaginative
--oratory, as an art has not claimed much OF hi:
\ attention.; and though his arrangement is lucid
, and his mind alfuent in topics, and fertile il
: arguments, his speeches possess few. Of the EN-
beIllstments oil rhetoric, or the eegances Of art
He cannot blend The uttle with The dulcispr amust
= while he persuaGes. lie always enleavHs tc
, edi(y, and but seldom attempts to please. Reas
t oning is his forte-n that he is conscious of hi,
: power and will not trust himself TO the efforts o
;. fancy. His diction is plain and unadorned no
4, verborse or involved, but clear and suited to hi.
reasoning, and is feeble or vigorous, according tc
q the strength or weakness Of his argument. Mr.
Ewing is too good natued TO deal much in sar.
casm, or to resort to bitterness Of nvective and
he never electrifes his auditors by unexpected
bursts Of eloquence. He is sagac.ous, argumen
: tative and aborous; often eloquent, but neve
oratorical. As a politician, his principles are
: firm and unyielding, never fluctuating between
selCaggrandizemen and the interests Of his coun
) try; never balancing between right and wrong