The Evansville daily journal., 1861-02-05
The indiana Commission

Gov. Morton has-in pursuance of the
joint resolutions passed by the General As
sembly on the subject-appointed as COM
missioners to proceed to Washington aud
the State in the conference called
by Virginia, Messrs. Caleb B. Smith of In
dianapolis, Pleasant A. Hackleman of Rush
vile, Thomas c. Slaughter of Corydon,
Godlove s. Orth of Lafayette, and E. W. H.
Ellis of Goshen. These gentlemen repre-
sent lin the order named) the central,
eastern, southern, western, and northern
portions of the State, and hence the distri-
button geographically is fair.
The commissioners are all Republicans
men who think they did right in voting for
Lincoln, and will not be likely to apologize
or ask pardon for doing so. They are also
men of practical views, who, while they
will do nothing that looks like sacrifice
of vital principle, will do all they can in
reason to conciliate the South and bring
peace to the country.
Caleb B. Smith is we'll known through
out the State-in fact he is man of ma
tional reputation. His ability as a states
man is unquestioned. His political views
are decided, but not impracticable. AS an
orator he ranks very high. He formerly
represented the Connersville District in
Congress with great aeceptability. His
course in the discussions at Washington
will reflect additional Iustre on his public
life.
PA. Hackleman is a gentleman of COM
manding appearance and apparently mo-
rose aspect, but he is socially very agree
able man, and one of a high order of tall
ents. His sound common sense and prac-
ticability are proverbial. He ran against
Judge Holman for Congress two years ago
in the 4th District, and was beaten, that
District being strongly Democratic. Judge
Fl. is powerful writer. As a speaker he
makes no pretentions to eloquence but is
logical, forcible, and effective. He deals
largely in facts. He was formerly editor OF
the RushvIle Republican, and now contrib
utes to its columns.
well known as the others out of his own
District (the 2d), but is a rising man, and
is rapidly advancing to high positions. He
ran for Congress in 1854 against w. H.
English, and the District being, like this
far gone in Democracy, he was of course
beaten, but by only 586-a small majority
considering the District. Mr.. Slaughter
manifested good speaking abilities on that
occasion, and has been constantly improv-
ing. He is man of little show bnt ster-
ling character.
Mr.. Orth is likewise lawyer, well known
throughout the upper portions of the State
and by people in the southern portion who
have been in the habit of attending politi-
cal gatherings and the sessions of the Leg
islature at indianapolis. He is a man OF
very genial manners, popular address, frank
countenance, and brilliant oratorial talents
He is lawyer by profession and has filed
honorable public stations. He can not
fail to make good impression amongst the
commissioners from other states, and bis
influence will be great tssase.
Dr. Ellis was formerly Auditor of State
under Democratic rule when he belonged to
that persuasion" Originally physician
(and a good one) he turned politician then
he became editor of the Indiana Statesman
at Indianapolis. He was afterwards elected
Auditor of State. After his term was out
he returned to Elkhart county, was elected
county auditor and started the Goshen
Times. This paper he has lately sold out.
The Or. is a gentleman of extraordinarily
brilliant talents, most exquisite humor, the
most agreeable social qualities, aud very
popular manners. AS writer for the press
he is entertaining and instructive, and as a
speaker, though not ranked high in elo-
quence, he is forcible, yet able to give his
words spice of humor and dash of rhet-
oric. He is one of the best posted politi-
clans in the State
Such are the hasty daguerreotypes we
give of our Indiana Commissioners We
consider the selections, on the whole, good
ones. There are all varieties of talent
amongst them. The commissioners, though
all Republicans will be able TO arrange mat
ters with their elIow-commissioners fthere
can be any arrangement-that is, so far as
they are authorized TO 60, for, be it remem-
bered, by the terms of the resolutions under
which they were appointed, they are not
authorized to commit the State to any agree
ment unless nineteen States are represented, :,
and even then their action, to be valid +,
must be confirmed by the General Assem-
bly,. se.e
May their mission result in an honorable
peace to our distracted country :
aga- At meeting just held by most of
the colored clergymen of New York and
Brooklyn, to take into consideration the
condition of the colored peaple of the Unit
ed States in the nresent itnportant crisis it