Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-06-16
GEORGE h. PENDLETON.
His Public Career.
from the Cincinnati Enquirei.l

George ID. Pendlet0n is native OF Gin
cinnati, and was born in 1926, and is, con-
aye. His grandfather. Nathaniel Pendle-
ton. was native of New York, and was
the intimate personal and political friend
of Alexander Hamilton, and was his second
| in the duel In which he lost his life, with
Aaron Burr, in 1904. He was a revolution
ary officer, being id-de-camp to General
Greene in his glorious campaign in the
South. He was the first Federal district
Judge in Georgia, and was appointed by
| President Washington.
The father of George II. Pendleton was
| Nathaniel Greene Pendleton, who defeated
DR.. Duncan for Congress in Hamilton coun-
| ty, in the celebrated contest of 1910. He
was leading and eminent Whig in poll
tics. Descended from such ancestry, with
his relations and acquaintance all on the
anti Democratic side in politics, it would
not have been surprising if George had
| imbibed the same views and political te-
nets. But he was one who thought for
| himself-whO was governed by no extra
neous influence, and from mature convic-
ton and study he early embraced the Dem
ocratic creed, and cast his first vote with
that organization. In this he evinced the
same resolute independence and individu-
ality that has since, on all important occa-
sions, governed his conduct.
He entered Woodward College in Gin
cinnati and afterward studied at two uni
versities in Germany. He then commenced
his admission to the bar. formed a partner
ship with Hon. George E. Pugh, since Uni
ted States Senator from Ohio.
In 1858, Mr.. Pendleton commenced his
political career by accepting the Demo-
cratic nomination for the State Senate
from Hamilton county. The nomination
was made by the popular vote OF the party,
and he obtained within one hundred and
fifty votes of the total number cast. The
whole Democratic ticket upon which he
was placed was elected by about ten thou
sand majority. Although the youngest
member of tnat body, and entirely new to
its service, he at once took prominent
position in its delibe1 ations, and well sus-
tained the high anticipations which had
been formed by those who had been instru
mental in his election. So favorable was
the impression produced, that while yet in
the Senate, he was nominated as candi-
date for the House of Representatives of
the United States, from the First District
of Hamilton county. This was the greater
honor, in view of the high character of the
men, who, for a long series of years, had
been its Representatives. In the list were
such men as General Findlay, General
Robert T. Lytle, Bellamy Storer, DR.. Alex
ander Duncan, Nathaniel G. Pendleton,
James j. Faran, and David T. Disney. The
Know Nothing tornado swept over the
country with irresistible force; and al
though Mr.. Pendleton run ahead of his
ticket, he, as well as the other Democrats,
were badly beaten.
In 1856, at the next Congressional cleo
tion, MIR. Pendleton was unanimously Sc
lecUed to bear again the standard, and this
time was elected by fattering vote, over
popular and worthy competitors. He took
his seat in the House of Representatives in
December, 1857, in the early part of the
administration of President Buchanan
Stormy times were ahead. Ultraism, both
North and South, were surging violently
against the ship of State, giving Fremont
tions to the far-seeing and sagacious of the
disasters that were to come.
Mr.. Pendleton's course was soon taken.
1t was moderate and highly conservative,
having this object steadily in view-the
preservation OF the Union by maintaining
amity between the States. To those ex-
tremists-whether from the North or the
South-whose policy was continual agita-
tiOn, that was menacing to the National
peace, he opposed a firm and inflexible op-
position. He was placed upon one of the
most important committees of the House,
that of Military Affairs, and was soon
known as an active and working member.
In 1858 he was nominated tor third
time to Congress. His competitor this
year was L. ~. lay Lsq., VINO, III 1903,
had defeated him by majority of chou
sands. The contest was very sharp, and
an enormous vote was polled. The gener-
al result was unfortunate to the Democra-
cy. Every candidate on the ticket but
one, was defeated. The exception was
MIR. Pendleton, who was elected by some
three hundred and fifty majority.
In 1860 occurred the Presidential cleo
tion, and the break up of the Democratic
party at the Charleston Convention. There
were three Democratic and Conservative |
candidates for President, viz: Stephen A. |
John c. Breckenridge and John
Bell. This unfortunate breach opened the |
way for Republican triumph with Mr..
Mr.. Pendleton warmly sustained |
Mr.. Douglas and was renominated by that
wing OF the party for reelection to Con-
gress. His main competitor was Judge
Oliver M. Spencer, OF the Superior Court of
most eminent jurisL and
whose personal popularity was as great as
any mans in Hamilton county. The elec-
lion was very vigorously and warmly con-
tested. Mr.. Pendleton canvassed his dis
,rict with the same energy and vigor he
mad displayed on previous occasions, and
was again elected, although considerable
portion of the county ticket was beaten
He received the ident support of all the
Democrats in his district
While serving his third term the civil war
put of the secession of the latter from the
Union, occurred. 1t would be occupying
TOO much space in a briet biographical
notice to discuss the positions assumed by
Mr.. 2. in this unhappy national convulsion.
suffice 1t to say, they were those enter
5ained by the great mass of his political
friends, who believed that the war ought to
and could have been avoided by MIR. Lin
coins administration, and that being
wrongly commenced, it would lead to no
good result. While such were his views,
he at the same time announced his willing
ness to vote for all appropriations that
might be necessary to maintain the national
honor, and prevent disaster to the flag.
In 1851 the Democracy were beaten over
i'll both of the Congressional
Districts of Hamilton county, and in 1852
there seemed TO be little hope that the party
would again be able to elect Mr.. Pendle-
ton. He was nominated, however, unani-
with the most enthusiastic accla-
nations. This was his fifth nomination,
an unusual number for an Ohio district to
give, where the doctrine OF rotation has SO
long prevailed. His competitor was Col
onel John Groesbeck, whose friends made
efforts in his behalf. Mr..
course in Congress was the is
sue, and upon it the Democracy went into
the fight in the county. 10 the astonish-
ment of the Republicans they were beaten,
and Mr.. Pendleton was returned for the
fourth time to his seat by a majority of one
and three hundred. The De-
mocracy also carried the other Congress
sional District, electing MIR. Alexander
Long to Congress, with the Democratic
ticket.
After the election, and when it was
thought the Democrats would have O ma
jority in the House of Representatives, Mr..
Pendleton's name was prominently spoken
of tor Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives. The Republicans, however, pre-
served their ascendency, and no serious
was appointed by the Speaker elect, MIR.
Colfax, upon the committee of Ways and
Means, the leading one of the House, and
to which it is usual to assign the strongest
and ablest members. 1t is this committee