The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-01-23
General r. w. Bennett.


We believe it is nearly the unanimous
wish Of the Republican party Of this
county that Gen. T. w. Bennett shall be
the nominee for Congress, in this (ths
4th) District. And, while we recognise
the claims of many other true Republi-
cans, We believe none will dispute that
his claims are not inferior to any. So
far as this county is concerned, there
can . but one voice On the subject
Even those who prefer others will not
deny the fact that he possesses claims on
the Republican party Of this county,
surpassed by but few in any county
Born aud raised among US, he has been
Identified with every interest we have.
We have all Witnessed his untiring and
successful labors for the party, and ito
great principles. During all our great
struggles since 1856, he has been our
acknowledged leader.
He began his political career and gave
his first vote for the Republican party.
In 1855 our county was Democratic by
nearly two hundred majority. In 1856
under the leadership Of Gen. Bennett
we gave Rspublican majority which
has steadily increased.
And who Of as does not remember, his
efforts to secure that result. stumpine the
County by School Districts, editing the
county paper, and laboring almost day
and night.
In 1858 as candidate for Senator, he
canvassed this County and Fayette, and
made the only speeches that we're made
in them, and the result was largely in
creased vote 10 both Counties
In 1859 We all rem ember the success
Of our county Ticket. and it was largely
attributable to the efforts of Gea. Ben.
nett on the stump, and in the paper.
In 1860 he closed his OfEice for four
months before the Election, aad devot-
ed his entire time to the cause OF "Lin-
coin and Hamlin."
None Of US have forgotten his "Lin-
coin Rangers" his "Pony Canon" and
his speeches without plumber all over the
White Water Valley. many Of them in
joint discussion, aud this he did without
being . candidate, or asking reward. 1
Then came the terrible days Of April
1861. Scarcely had the wires 6aished
the "click' of the call for $4,000 voiun-
teers, when Mr.. Bennett on tho very day
of the call, drew up an enlistment pa
per, signed it with one hundred other
young men whose names followed his.
Leaving his home, his business, aad his
femily, he went to the tented field, aud
returned not his sword until the Military
Chieftain Of the Rebellion had given his
eword to Gen. Grant.
For his record we have only TO read
the history Of the Campaings Of West
ern Virginia, Nashville, Shiloh, Corinth,
East Tennessee, Vicksburg, New Or
leans, Red River, and the many marches,
sciges, and battles suggested by them,
or to 60 ask his comrades Of the 18th,
the seth and the 69th, Indiana Regi-
ments, with all Of whom no served. As
q soldier, No man in this county Of any
party can say aught Of disparag ement
but all feel that In his success the coun-
ty was honored and all looked with
pride - he rose step by step from tho
raw private Of 1861, to the Brigadier
Gen. of 1865.
He was on active duty at the front, all
the time, except when . member Of the
commission that tried the traitors Sons
OF Liberty, Bowels, Milligan, and Hor-
sey, and he voted on that commission to
have these miserable miscreants hung, q
sentence that should have been faithfully
executed.
In 1866, during the memorable cam
paign of that year Gen. Bennett, at the
solicitation Of the State Central Com
mittee, canvassed large portion of the
State, and contributed much to the over
whelming defeat of the Copper johnson
Party. We need not recount his labors
for his party, and its principles during
his FIVE sessions of service as State
Senator from Fayette and Union, Coun-
ties. For his devotion to principle, for
his watchfulness, his parliamentary
knowledge, his ability as debator, and
this promptness for duty he was an ac-
knowledged leader, and won q reputa-
ton which is known throughout the
State. His record is one Of which his
constituents are justly proud. As the
author and introducer of the resolutions,
by which the Stste ratified the Constitu-
tional amendments. submitted by Con-
gress in 1855 and 1867, he placed him
self on record for those great principles
the former of which abolishes slavery,
thn OpaudooA NJ thu ana