The New York herald., 1863-07-28
o D 7 r. U A n Y


Sketch or the Hon. John Jay Crittenden.
This eminent American statesman born n Wood
ford county, Kentucky about the year 1855 While very
young his father TO his death through the accidental
falling Of tree leaving his mother bring up large
iamiiy OF children The deceased commenced life
lawyer In Hopkinsvls, but he removed 10 Frank
fort, where he obtained excellent practice and
great distinction brilliant and successful advocate
In tho year 1916 he elected from franklin county TO
the Kentucky House Representatives, OF which he
Speaker for several years. tie took his the United
States Senate the lst Of December 1917
mencing at the date with the Presidency OF Mr
Monroe, Of whom he a warm supporter. During
his two years OF service ne proposed a law for
the reimbursement OF hnes; spoke in favor OF
Dl Tor actual se'temens public lands, and chair
man OF a committee to whom House bill putting fug
tives from labor on the footing tugtves from
justice was referred, reported Il back with several very
important amendmcnts Of which provided that the
identity Of the alleged fugitive should be proved by other
evidence than that OF III. claimant.
From 1919 to 1896 Mr.. Critienien practsed law at
Frankfort, occasionally representing his county IN the
State Legislature. Presdsnt J. q Adams nominated him
Judge Of the United States Supreme lS2s but the
senate refused TO confirm him, xr Mclean sub
sequeny put in his place n 1885 he again elected
United States senator, served a iu tenn and
elected but in lSs resslod having accepted the post Of
Attorney General under President Harrison ON Septem
ii OF the same year. with the otncr members Of the
Cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster he tendercd h. resigua
on TO President Tyler In brief but characteristic letter
He then elected 10 the Senate for the residue Of Mr.
Gays term, the latter gentleman having rcsgaed the
passage of the 1arin BIZ and Dir Crtiendcn
elected for fun term from March lss3 10 1888 he
retired having receives the wbig nomination Tor Governor
OF Kentucky, 70 which oncc he vas elected ~ large
majority. We have nearly iorgot;cl to mention lie
entered the early age AID served With honor
Shelby at tho battle OF the Thames. where he dstin
suished himself by his gaan'ry Under many dangerous
circlmslanccs
Mr.. rrittepden Attorney General In President FIJI
morcs Cabinet, from July 20, 1850, iii che ac-
cessicn Of President Pierce. Ia tie sprng of 1854
he was induced By hn relations d friendship with
the Ward family q undertake dcfcuce Of Matthew
H. Ward tor the alleged murder Of Professor
Butler in his school at Louisville fhis step created at
the time much popular excitement against nr. Crilien
den. lie had previously been reelected 10 tho United
states Senate for tbe torn which expired IN lsdi 10
whig party. lie afterwards called an American. lie
one y Mr. Ciays most devoted frerds and support
cd him in most OF those reaure with which his s
closely ldeaaed. lie always favored the rroiec
tvs policy and he voted FOR the tir o 1912 ard against
INA. o. sso. ne was sFonsy y ,yor @ p onaea
system Ia 1885 he opposed Nj. talhouns oi, empower
INK postmas,ers 70 take from ,he mas documents hostile
% slavery lie ALSO opposed the ssiou OF General
jackson no for contempt OF court IL declaring martial
law ~ New orleans
Uion the Oregon question the laented subject Of ths
skech spoke often, dcpecatlng hns,a and excitement.
favorng pece though not a tho expense oi honor ard
supporting such measures seemed likely TO oonduce
thereto. The through his speeches tho
aGnexsion ~ Texas, which he opposed as
unsisc and unnecessary and On the Mexican war which
be stroye 10 bring u peaceful termination
practicable liz manifested similar spirit 10 1855 IN tho
debate upon the alleged Illegal exercise of tho right OF
gan's bid providing the military occupation ~ Yuca
tan. subsequently, 10 1875 he took grounds against in
toricrenco ~ the anairs Of leniral America.
IL was Nr Crticnesu VINO, in lSsT int rodrced the bill
In The senate which authorized tho purchase Of provisions
and the employment o. pnbc ships for the relief Of the
starving in Ireland and ir Scotland. supporting 10
eloquent and excellent speech fe opposed tho acmis
sion Q. Kansas under the Topeka CONSTITUTION IN 1866. 10
1858 he again opposed the admission o kansas rnder the
Locomon constitution, the ground not onr that that
instrument did not represent the majority o. be poo
but that u was open fraud ggon them.
Throughout the acrimonious kansas debates gr. CIT.
tcnden mover forget that he was an American ci1cn--
arbiter ~ disputes bewccn different persons. lc
sometimes been called the patriarch u the Senate,
weil entitled him lie was always considered
excellent cxtenl1r debatcr, and 40 the time
II his death never lost tho hrc and pprit Of his youth
Mr. Crendcn twice married. his second wife having
been the widoS o. General Ashley, Of keatucky Mr.
trtenden in tho pubic service peary nfiy years
During all thi~ tune be maintained a repgsatoas FOR
probty and hanesty lie was an inpctuous orator bot
he always the friend u the constitution and the 0ppo
of radcaiHm From hs aud long service
ho has been reElrded with great respect by al.
parties, while hc has been The advocate o..
pe'ceiui. COO, hlaipiy ana conservative measures.
lN wN favorable u the war for the
un1n and urged bis friends r. give the ready sup.
tort 70 the government which 10 Rnye. declining 70 en-
barra.s Ia the esi and waiting for the II
~ cfitcec ne afu and measures OF tne sdmnisr
iic adyoced the prosecution Il tho wsr by legitimate
ard g usfnt onal methods. The which rcnisrs Mr.
Critieuden chiefly cou~piclOun the compromises
trodg1ed by him N tho session of srG-gI aud yhch no
gany endeay rod g. commend 70 tie fayor of CoDgeea
a. tho time o. hs death Sir ,ritteadsn agaia
dtac Tor Congress- is de7th the tesllt 81 geucra
a0bity and tie died 10 fpl peasoss1n ci bis faculties
ne Fanerai OF Mr.. G ritf.naep, sc.
LgrnyittE Juiy 27 1893.
taElrV IL attend