The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-11-19
CORRESPONDENCE.
Fhe United States senatOrshIp-IIOn.
John ID. Defrees.

I've canuiuHLeB IOr the OHllcu Sbates
80 Senatorship, before the Legislature
next Winter. An investigation into
the merits of our leading men can do
no harm, and will probably do good,
and enable our representatives TO
.WsF make a selection 10 gil that highly
important position more understand
ingly than if il were taken for grant
ed that the character and services of
all are understood
There is such a thing as modest
worth, even amongst politicians; and
the writer knows Of more than one In
our State whose merits have been
measurably hidden under bushel,
on account Of disinclination on the
part of the individual to thrust him
self forward for position. Of this
number is the gentleman whose name
heads this communication.
Without saying aught against any Of
~ the others whose names are mention
ed in connection with the Senator
ship, express the belief that if John
ID. Defrees should be chosen, he
would prove exceedingly faithful and
useful to the State and her people.
His long political career; his expe-
rience in connection with Legislative
bodies and with Congress; his close
go intercourse with State and National
officials; his extensive acquaintance
with prominent men; his thorough
knowledge of public business and
parliamentary proceedings; his faith
fulness to Republican principles; his
energy, industry and integrity-all to-
gether eminently fit him for useful
ness as a Senator in the Congress Of
the United States
Mr.. Defrees has been a well known
public man for quarter of century
a. Previous to his removal to Washing
% ton to take charge of the Government
Printing Office, at the commencement
of Mr. Linooln's admins traton. he
possessed an acquaintance with Indi-
80 ana affairs excelled by no person in
the State; and even now, after tenn
= porary sojourn out of the State of over
five years, so strong are his feelings
towards his old home, and so extern
sive his acquaintance and correspond
ence, that there are but few of the
citizens of the State who are better
informed in regard to its wants and
capabilities, and the character and
.tuf capacity, the merits and demerits, of
its principal men in public and private
life, than is the subject of this com
gqg munication. AHa Mf
Mr. Dsfrees although not fanatical
in his political views, is firm and
uncompromising Republican. He
was hostile to slavery while it existed
aud now opposes with equal resolu-
~, ton all remnants Of that evil insttu-
ton. He has just given one of the
best evidences Of his political stead
fastness that man can offer-that is
the sacrifice of his official life, Presi-
dent johnson having deprived him
of his Office of Superintendent of Pub
lie Printing, because he would not
~ prostitute himself to "My Policy -
This is the ultimate test OF political
49, rectltude, as the loss of life on the
battlefield is, of the purity of the
victims patriotism ani Ell
Mr., Defrees was one of the earliest
Republicans in the State, and has
@OhSiSN w eho party OF freedom anu
Progress through good and evil re-
port, as he did to the old Wing party,
until it fulfilled its destiny and ex-
.y93 pred with its great leader. AS an
advocate successfully Of the election
of Harrison, Clay, Taylor, Scott. Ere
mont, and Lincoln for his first and
vrayq second terms, Mr.. Defrees was a
leading spirit. During the lifetime
Of our martyred President, he was
one of his most devoted and intimate
friends, and trusted counselors
throughout the struggle for the life of
the Nation. This, alone, is honor
:sali.s enough for any man. For the coed
of the Union cause, he did all he
could to prevent rupture between
Andrew johnson and the party which
elected him Vice President but
.selia when, he found that 'ii humble indi-
vidual" joined to his idols, he relin-
4uished all hope of his fealty to the