Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-07


vsiling sentiment was for a military man,
who had record ia the war that was then
progressing. General George B. McClelIsn
was selected as The candidate for Pr esidenf
on the FIRST ballot. Mr.. Pendleton's friends
then pressed his name fof Vice President,
and he was selected over able and strong
competitors on thesecond ballot receiving
the iwO-thirds vote required. Mr.. Z. was
delegate in the convention, having been
cOmplimentedi in such selection by the De-
mocracy Of the State, who had chosen him
as one Of the delegates at large. Upon be-
ing called out, be accepted the nomination
in a graceful speech, acknowledging in
modest and becoming termsthe high honor
he had received. The issue Of the election
was disastrous. Military tyranny and off
cial fraud and corruption prevailed. Three
States alone gave their votes to McClellan
and Pendleton, viz: Delaware, New Jersey
and Kentucky. The contest, however, in
some of the large States-such as New
York and Pennsylvania-was very close,
and change of fifty thousand votes would
have elected Mcclellan and Pendleton.
On the 4th Of March, 1866, Mr.. Pendle-
tons fourth term of service in the National
House expired. He had long been regard
ed by both his political friends and appo-
nents as the leading man Of his party in
the Hoase, and his retirement was the
canse Of general regret. On the last day
Of the session an incident occurred which
showed how great was his popularity, and
how highly he was appreciated by his fell
low-members. A special hour was, by
unanimous consent, assigned him to make
a speech in favor OF measure he had in
troduced, viz: to give TO Cabinet officers
seats upon the floor of the House, where
they might reply to such interrogatories
as should be addressed to them touching
the affairs of the government in their de-
partments. Every moment was precious.
Some of the great appropriation bills had
not passed; but such was the respect felt
for him, and so great was the desire TO hear
him, that, by unanimous consent, he made
a closing argument in favor of his excellent
proposition. A more magnificent compli-
ment was never rendered member in that
House.
In 1865 the Democratic State Central
Committee of Ohio selected Mr.. p. az
delegate to the Philadelphia Convention.
He did not, however, attend that body, but
sent his declination to the committee, who
appointed substitute in his place.
The time for another Congressional cleo
ton had again rolled round. Mr.. P.'s
friends, in view of the immense importance
of the next Congress, and under the belief
that he was the strongest man they could
select, pressed him to accept another nomi-
nation for the place, in which he had
achieved such renown. He consented, al
though aware that the odds were strongly
against his success. At the Congressional
election in 1864, when he ran for Vice
President, the Democratic candidate was
beaten two thousand FIVE hundred votes
by the Republican nominee, Benjamin Egg
gleston. To overcome this majority was
herculean task but Mr.. P. set himself
about it with the greatest vigor and energy
He canvassed all thetownships and wards,
but the lavish use of money by the appo-
sition and their perfect organization carried
them through, but by greatly reduced
majority. He, as usual, ran ahead of his
ticket, and the majority against him was
but 926 votes. Fa
Such has been-briehy recalled-the
political career of Mr.. Pendleton, which
has been, in the main, a signal success. 1t
mental and moral sttainments. Endowed
by nature with strong and vigorous in
tellect, 1t has been assiduously improved by
cultivation ard study, and by scholastic and
educational polish. 1t is remarkably well
balanced and there are few men who have
less weakness and frailty, and whose minds
are more completely and perfectly de-
veloped. Ever calm and self-possessed, he
is seldom betrayed into excitement, and
always acts under the dominion of reason,
instead Of passion. As a consequence acts
of indiscretion are rare, and mistakes are
seldom made by him. While moderate
and conservative in his views, he is infex-
ible and determined in adhering to them,
and consistency and manly independence
have ever been among his characteristics
and virtues. Dignifed in his carriage, yet
modest and unassuming, he is always
courteous to opponents; and in the heated
and vehement contests of the last ten years,
in which he has been engaged, he has made
no personal enemy, and left behind him
nowhere the stings of jealousy or envy
among personal rivals and political asso-
cistes. -r.r.-r 1854 -
His speeches and public addresses have
DSeh lhaFkeu py IOBlcal strength ny nIsloFt-
cal research, by great condensation and
brevity, and by classical purity of style.
When to these superior mental qualities we
add social nature, genial disposition and
fine personal address, it is not to be
wondered at that be has troops of friends,
who take pride in his past career, who re.
gard him as one of the most promising of
the statesmen now in public life, and who
look forward with hope and confidence to
the future, that it will bring with it for
him still higher honors and more brilliant
career. a