The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1868-06-24

occupying 100 Lnuch Spdce III d OIIol
biographical notice to discuss the po-
sitieus assumed by Mr.. P. in this un-
happy national convulsiOn. Suffice 1t
to say, they were those entertained
by the great mass of his political
friends, who believed that the war
ought to and could have been avoided
by Mr.. Lincoln's 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 willingness to
vote for all appropriations that might
be necessary to maintain the national
honor, and prevent disaster to the
flag.
In 1861 the Democracy were beaten
overwhelmingly in both the Congress
ional Districts of Hamilton county,
and in 1862 there seemed to be little
hope that the party would again be
able to elect Mr.. PendIeton. He was
nominated, however, unanimously,
with the most enthusiastic acclama-
tions. This was his fifth nomination,
an unusual number for an Ohio dis
trict to give, where the doctrine of
rotation has so long prevailed. His
competitor was Colonel John Groes-
beck, whose friends made extraordi-
nary efforts in his behalf. Mr.. Pen
dletOn's course in Congress was the
issue, and upon it the Democracy
went into the fight in the country
To the astonishment Of the Republi-
cans they were beaten, and Mr.. PEN
dleton was returned for the fourth
time to his seat by a majority of one
thousand and three hundred. The
Democracy also carried the other
Congressional District, electing Mr..
Alexander Long to Congress, with
the Democratic county ticket.
After the election, and when it was
thought the Democrats would have a
majority in the House of Representa-
| tives. Mr.. Pendleton's name was
prominently spoken of for Speaker of
the House of Representatives. The
Republicans, however, preserved their
ascendency, and no serious contest
could be made in his behalf. He was
appointed by the Speaker elect, Mr..
| Colfax, upon the committee of Ways
and Means, the leading one of the
House. and to which it is usual to as
sign the strongest & ablest members.
1t is this CON mittee which shapes the
whole financial policy of the country,
and is, necessarily, brought into the
most intimate, confidential relations
with all the heads of the departments,
and with the Executive branch of the
Government. He had previously
been on the Judiciaryicommittee, from
which he had been transferred from
the Military Affairs-serving, there
fore, in the course of his term, upon
the three leading committees in the
House.
In 1864 the period again arrived fol
the Presidential election. The De
nocracy cast their eyes about in search
of a suitable and available candidate.
In the Northwest there was a strong
feeling that Mr.. Pendleton was thai
man. He had been the intimate per
sonal friend of Stephen A. Douglas
and upon the latter's decease they be
lIeved no one was left more worthy
to wear his mantle and be his success
sor in the affections of the party. A
large Number of his friends repaired
to Chicago, where the Convention was
held, to urge his selection. 1t wa!
soon found, however, that the pre-
vailing sentiment was for q military
man, who had a record in the wal
that was then progressing. Genera
George B. Mcclellan was selected a!
the candidate for President on the
first ballot. Mr.. Pendleton's friend
then pressed his name for Vice Presi
dent, and he was selected over able
and strong competitors on the second
ballet, receiving the two-thirds vott
required. Mr.. Pendleton was dele
gate in the Convention, having beer
complimented in such d selection BY
the Democracy of the State, who haC
chosen him as one of the delegates al
large. Upon being called out, ht
accepted the nomination in a graceful
speech, acknowledging in modest ant
becoming terms the high honor ht
had received. The issue of the elec
ton was disastrous. Military tyranny
and official fraud and corruption pre-
vailed. Three States alone gave theil
votes for Mcclellan, viz: Delaware
New Jersey and Kentucky. Th'
contest, however, in some of the larg'
i, States-such as New York and Penn
, syIvania-was very close, & chang'
of fifty thousand votes would hav,
elected Mcclellan and Pendleton.
On the 4th of March, 1865, Mr.
Pendleton's fourth term of service il
, the National House expired. He haC
long been regarded by both his politi
cal friends and opponents as the lead
a ing man Of his party in the House
+ and his retirement was the cause O
g general regret. On the last day O
+ the session an incident occurred whicl
showed how great was his popularity
i. and how highly he was appreciates
n by his fellow members. A specis
Il hour was, by unanimous consent, as
! signed him to make a speech in favo
of measure he had introduced, viz
Il to give to Cabinet officers seats upo
70 the floor of the House, where the
n might reply to such interrogatories
= should be addressed to them touchin
- the affairs of the Government in thei
= departments. Every moment We
n precious. Some of the great appr'
n priation bills had not passed; bI
II such was the respect felt for him. an
N SO great was the desire to hear hin
"a that, by unanimous consent, he mao
,e closing argument in favor of his e.
il cellent proposition. A more magnii
or cent compliment was never tendere
of a member in that House.
I'd In 1866 the Democratic State Ce
as trail Committee of Ohio selected M
n P. as a delegate to the Philadelph
IS Convention. He did not, hoveve
a. aItand that body, but sent his dec