Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-08-04
Death Of Hon. John J. CEttenden.

Death Of Hon. John J. Crlttenden.
The announcement OF the death Of this venera-
BILE statesman sgnalizes the removal OF one OF the
time honored political landmarks of the country.
He was in bis seventyseveuth year, and was
prominently active up to within short time OF
his death, as be had been throughout public ca
reer of nearly half century. AS to the bare
record of his political life, it is accurately and sue
cincty given in the following notice from Ian
mans Dictionary Of Congress" published ia '59
He was born 10 Woodford county, KY, in
September, 1856. When quite young he entered
the army, and during the war Of 1872 served as
an officer under Gen. Hopkins, in bis expedition,
and was aide-de-csmp to Gov. Shelby at the bat
tie Of the Thames. After adopting the profession
of law he entered Congress as member OF the
Senate from Kentucky, in 1917, serving then but
two years. From 1919 to 1885 he continued IN
the practice Of bis profession, residing principally
at Frankfort, and occasionally representing his
county in the State Legislature. In 1885 he was
again elected to the United States SENATE, and
continued to serve in tLat body until March, 1871,
when he was appointed Attorney General by
President Harrison. la September, 1871, be re-
signed with the other members OF the Cabinet,
except Mr.. Webster, and retired TO private life,
from which, however, he was soon called by the
Legislature to resume his seat in the United States
Senate in 1872 lie was also elected Senator
1 for another term Of six years, from March, 1913,
4 but, in 1913, having rece we'd the Wing nomna-
ton for Governor OF Kentucky, he ietred from
the Senate, and was elected to that office which
be held until his appointment as Alto ney Gene.
raj by President Fillmore. He was again
elected to the United States Senate, in 1906, for
the term ending in 1852, and is at the present
time the Oldest member Of thtt BODY"
On retiring from the Senate Mr.. CfItenden was
elected to the House Of Representatives from the
Sth Kentucky district, served through the term,
and at the time Of his death was "a candidate for
reelection This brief narrative will be highly
suggestive to all acquainted with the political his
tory of the country during the last forty years.
Tie memory OF the great triumvirate, Webster,
Clay aud Calhoun, is still living, but close behiod
them---it is question if they would not be in ad-
vance Of all nov liying-was second rank OF gl-
ants, Of whom it is sufficient to enumerate Benton,
Wright, Sou,hard, Preston, MeDufie aud Crt-
tenden. In this powerful band Mr.. CrItenden
by no means stood last, as we Lave named him,
for 10 stirring eloquence, manly INTEGRITY and pat
riotic devotion be was hardly supposed by any
name was name Of power, but he never WAS one
of those who for party gave up what was meant
for mankind" else mere partlzlnship would never
have supplanted HIM in the U. 5. Senate with
such material as it finally did.
Mr. Crttenden was one Of the few prominent
leaders Of the Border States who remained not
only unshakeu but absolutely untinged 1y The
prevailing madness OF secession. 1t is true that
as to measure, aud policies he did, at ifst, some
what partske Of the views Of hs section. lhe
well known Crittenden amendme at the out
break OF the rebellion is proof OF this
need not now discuss its merits. Ii is sufficient
to say that il was a compromise OF such charae
that. though few Of the Southern leaders fnesset
upon /, in the Senate, it vas acceptable to nel.he
= nartv, and the ,0epersl Judgment Of the presen
day concurs with Mr.. ENett'.'s SVuVius'oui '""
the South did not mean to adopt II, and that evel
i, ,s adoption would not have prevented the reoeI
). lion. But whatever diverse views at the tim
we're held respecting the measure, no one, on e.
n ther aide, doubted the complete devotion oil MI
!. Crittvnden TO the cause Of the Government.
9 A. the struggle went on, there is reason to ot
e Geve that Mr.. Crittenden himself modified u
views respecting all temporizing measures, and rt
4 lied more absolutely on the vigorous ptoieeutio
:, Of the war. In bis last reported speech, devere
!, in NAV, be declares that hi, hostility to the tral
a ors "is the result Of principle, which Is the san
/. morning, noon and evsnus-in the morning
the year. and at the noon and evening OF eve'
Il. year" lie believed the nation would come o.
!. triumphant over everything but !" war alone
declared, could save US. Foreign powers daun''
him not more than the rebels, and he declared
" We mus, fight them all, il need be and we C
whip them all in defense Of the right" That "
the gallant, indomitable spirit of the man
rk American hear, and soul. Peace DO to his ash
he and may his memory be fruitful of good to
"A countrymen whom he loved SO well!-Bosf
!. Journal.