Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-12-20
DEATH OF THOMAS CoRWIN.

e proper notice of his decease. Mr.. Sag
he editor of the Lebanon, Ohio Star, wi
+ take charge of Mr.. Corwin's remains. 3
is his son-in-law. The death of Gov. Coz
win, is an event which has been expecte
to occur at any hour since the night of tn
: 10th inst when he WAS strnck with paraly
!. SIS
b Thomas Corwin was born in Bourbon
county, KY, July Goth, 1874. His imme
3 diate ancestors -f-4---9+e J1r5vJ
and Pennsylvania, thence to Kentucky
thence to Ohio. In 1928, when Ohio wa
Northwestern Territory, his father, Mat.
thias Corwin, settled near where the town
of Lebanon was afterward located, and
where members of the family still reside.
This gentleman was for many years a
member of the Ohio Legislature, though
he, like his ancestors, was q farmer
Thomas spent the first twenty years of bis
life at hard labor on the Lebanon farm.
He received very little assistance in the
acquiring of an education, as there were
no good schools in the country, but at the
age of twenty he was we'll informed. He
began to exhibit that talent for oratory,
which has since so distinguished him, at the
age OF fourteen. He is represented tohave
been IN early life close student, in school
and out of school. In 1914 he entered the
Clerks Office of Warren county, in 1915
commenced the study Of Law, and three
years afterward was admitted to the bar.
From the very first he was the leading
spirit of the courts which be attended. He
was distinguished for keenness of discrimi-
nation In the use of authorities and the
management of evidence, and his elo-
quence, when excited by any event in the
course of trial, was unequaled in his day
at the bar of Ohio. In 1922 he was elected
to the Legislature, and msdehis first noted
speech in opposition to bill proposing to
restore public whipping as a punishment
for small crimes. Corwin's terrific on
slaught upon the measure and its origina-
tor is still referred to by many of our old |
citizens. He remained in the Legislature
seven years, and then, as a rising man,
took his seat in Congress in 1880.
In 1924 he supported Mr.. Clay for
President; in 1928, supported John Quincy
Adams; in 1882 was an unfinching
Wing; in 1886 and 1910 supported and
worked hard for General Harrison. In
ls49 he was also the Wing candidate for
Governor, and his name, during the cam
paign became a household word, to remain
g till the present day. He discussed the
poiltlcal topics OF the day in lnao-l,, go,
county in the State; immense crowds
.hronged to hear him, and the enthusiasm
If the campaign stands as one of the pt5lit-
cal landmarks in the history of the StNte
md the Nation. Stout stern vissged men
urn now to the "days of 40" and think
With pleasure of lisping hurrahs, as chill
iren, for "Tom Corwin, the Wagner
Boy" He became better known than any
me man in the State.
In ls45 he was elected to the United | :
'tstes Senate and acquired worldwide !
lotoriety by his unqualified opposition to
he Mexican War. The speech on that
uestion is considered by many his ablest
fort.
In burlesque he was inimitable, and his
celebrated relpy to Chandler has furnished
he foundation for an hundred tales, and is s
till laughed over by those who remember
IS phrases and by those who read it.
In 1850, on the death of Gen. Taylor /
e was appointed Secretary of the Treas
ry by Fillmore. In 1850 he returned to 9
lebanon and remained in the practice of {
is profession until 1858, when he was G
gain elected to Congress, as the Represen-
ltive of the 7th Congressional District.
Mr.. Corwin, on account of his often de- '
Jared sympathies, was appointed by Mr..
lincoln as Minister to Mexico, and repre- j.
snted our Government at the Republican
ourt of that country when the most skill &
Il diplomacy was required. His late re- il
lrn from Mexico, it is said, he explained
Y the declaratioR that he was too old to
limb mountains and cross rivers to keep q
ack of the Mexican Government. Ct
One who knew him intimately thus P
'eaks of his social qualities: We forget, =
II the time, the wonderful advocate, the :,
enator who dared oppose the Mexican o'
ar, the Governor, the Finance Secretary, 7
le Foreign Minister. We mora Vividly - -
call the man himself, the swarthy face
Eliminated with the light of genius and ST
lbounded good feeling, or dark as a thun- "
sr cloud with wrath at some discovered :
q, -Iray,5s u1TrIECT THC sOcIAI clIclei VI
hen with some intimate acquaintance in u
$ own chamber he fairly unbosomed
mself. We doubt if the world ever pro
mead a more varied and fascinating
.lker. CoIeridge's conversation was
lonelogue. johnson dogmatised. But !,
orwin had not only the power to keep !,
is listeners spell-bound under tie magic B
harm of his speech, but also the faculty d
f developing in them the power OF utter = !.
nee and eliciting from them Whatever d
hey could contribute to the perfect joy OF p
he occasion. His humor was contagious,
nd it was supported by such lsughaoie 8
nd expressive play of the facial muscles n
hat the veriest stole would have melted
lnder the delightful spell. He could have
made Hereaclitus laugh or Democritus
weep at pleasure. His humor was not
more peculiar and captivating than his
oathos. He possessed the NEST exquisite
to all things tender, and touch I
inc and beautiful His heart ever vibrs- I
ted 10 appeals of distress, and his hand
never wearied of giving relief. Mr.. Cor
win was frequently wealthy. HereceiTed
large fees for professional services and
was successful in his ventures, but his sc
or friends shared SO iibsrally
his estate, that he has doubtless died poor.
He had as little idea of the value of money
for his own use, as Mr.. Clay or Mr. Web
ster. and like them, has left little but
good name and the record of brilliant pub
lie services. sHfbHlt
Thus, at ripe old age surrounded BY
..Honor. love, obedience, troops Of friends,
Gov Coruin has Dassed from earth.