The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-06-22
nAJOR GEAERAL JAMEs c. EEATCR
A sketch Of His Public Services.

thusiastic in their endorsement of the
action of the Princeton Convention, OF
the 18th inst, in presenting the name
of Major General JAMES @. VEATCH
to the electors of the District as q
candidate for Congress. 1T is con-
ceded, on all sides, that no better
nomination could have been made,
none which would more fully draw
out the enthusiasm and energy Of the
party. za
General VEATcH is no stranger to
the people OF the First District, aud
yet it may not be inappropriate for US
to give a brief sketch of his public
services. For more than fourteen
years he served as Auditor of Spencer
County, and during that time man
aged the affairs of the County with
ability, and marked success and econ
omy. In his own County ne has al
ways been recognized as stronger
than his party, popular with all classes,
and in the private relations of life
universally esteemed. It was owing
TO his high standing among his
neighbors that he was 50 long per
mitted to hold this important flee,
when the County was frequently car
ried against his own party.
After retiring from the Auditor 5
office, he entered upon the practice OF
the law, Tor which he had fitted h M
self, by close application and study,
during the interval Of his official du-
ties.
In 1856. when the Republican party
was just coming into existence as one
Of the leading parties of the nation,
hardly yet certain Of a name or
public recognition, without political
history or prestige, with nothing but
its glorious principles of Freedom to
give it strength, the little band who
constituted the Advance Guard in the
First District of this great party of
the future, in their Convention at
Princeton rendered Mr.. VEATCH the
nomination for Congress. He was
not present at the Convention, and
had authorized no one to use his
name. He was almost unknown in
the District outside of his own county.
The cause which he so heartily es-
poused was by no means popular in the
" Pocket" indeed in many localities
it was unsafe to advocate the principles
of the Abolition Republican party"
There was no other prospect before
the Republican candidate in this then
dark region Of Democracy, but a
hopeless contest and an overwhelm-
ing defeat. But VEATCH was too
devotedly attached TO the principles
Of Republicanism to allow them to 90
before the people withouta champion,
and he not only accepted the nomina-
ton. but challenged his competitor,
Judge LoCKHEART, to discuss the
issue. and made a complete and thor
ouch canvass Of the District, speak
ing in every county and almost every
township. That canvass Is well re-
n,embered by our citizens who were
voters then. L was one Of the sharp
est political discussions ever held In
the " Pocket" aud it placed VEATCH,
till then a stranger, in the front rank
among the politicians of Indiana.
Never was an opponent SO completely
worsted or his principles 50 over
whelmingly answered before our peo-
pie, as was. the Democratic candidate
for Congress.
In 1860 YEATCH was elected a Rep
resentative in the State Legislature
over the most popular Democrat in
his county. being the first time for
years that it had been represented by
n other than a Democrat. Ia the
memorable Legislature Of 1861, which
was in session during the time that
the secession of the Southern States
occurred, the rebellion commenced,
and the war measures of the State
were enacted under the management
of Governor MORTON, JAMES G.
VEATCH took a prominent part, being
one ofehe most influential leaders of
the war party and a firm supporter of
the Governors vigorous administra-
ton which made the State so honored
at home and abroad. In the debates of
that Legislature some of VEATCHs
nnet;ra4inns and i-nvectivas uDon the