The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-07-21
THOMAS ANpREws mENpRIcKs

THOMAS ANDREWS mESDRIcKs
the Democratic nominee for c-Presidcnt. was
born IN Muskingum County, Ohio September
lsl9. Ills father removed To shelby County
Ind, when the subject OF this sketch was only
three years old The fact that hc was born in
neghboring state has not Affected his popularity
IN Indiana, since many or the people are 81 Tie
same stock, and MIR. Hendricks, growing up
from childhood with the younger commonwealth
became Identified with all It's intercsts-iis pros
perlly and preiudioes. No man in the State ia
now more generally loved and certainly no one
~ less hated. His youth vas not "A seaeon M
hardship and he received liberal education
graduating az Hanover College in 1871 NE
then studied law az Chambersburg, Pa and was
admitted 10 the bar al that place in ls43. lie re.
turned to Indiana Immediately after and entareJ
upon the practice OF HE profession His success
was RAPID and well earned. There was
always charm abo1t him that won him
hosts OF friends. lie was pure IN morals ana
not merely upright in character, but solicitous
TO preserve himself from even the appearance Of
evil. lie Was careful In money matters and
slowly accumulated his present moderate for.
tune, although his practice was often interrupt.
ed by political service and his expenses incrcas.
cd 10 meet the social requirements of official
station. AT the bar he was distinguished FOR
learning, subtlciy and eloquence Ilis tempera-
ment ~ such that nc tunes he hngs aside his
habitual courtesy and caution, and gives free
rein To nis aggressive impulses. He wac ever on
such occasions a dangerous opponent In com.
pairing him as a lawyer with his rival, Morton
1t IS common to say that Hendricks was apt 10 be
worsted before jury and his rivalhad no chance
before a Judge
In lSas Mr.. Hendricks was chosen member
Of the state Legislature. and i'm 1850 he served In
the State Constitutional Convention. During the
next Ave years he represented the Indianapolis
district in Congress, aud for -four years alter.
wards was Commissioner Of the General Land
Office. In the memorable canpa IN Of $50 he ran
forGOyen0r against Henry Lane and was de.
fcated- Lane was chosen United states senator
Immediately after his Inauguration, and oliver
4. Morton succeeded To the Goyernorship In
the election Of l-'i2 there was "A political revul
sion, and Indiana elected Democratic Legisia-
ture. Mr.. Hendricks was then chosen Scna-
tor for the term ending in March, 1862
He served in the Committees on Claims
Public Buildings and Grounds the Judiciary
Public Lands and Naval Affairs. This was Dc.
Rod during which the Democratic party in lie
senate was represented ~ weak minority. Mr.
Hendricks AZ once took the lead among the
Democrats ana made for himself national repu-
fatiOn. lie was active IN opposition To lie
measure overturuing the old state Governments,
the imposition OF test oaths, the Civii rights bin
the Frcedman's Bureau bill ami kindred legl-la-
ton. HIS arguments "a the great questions a
that day have h,en adopted NJ the authoritative
msries of Congressional debates In the memora.
BILE episode 81 the Presidents Impeachment he
played an important part, AMI added greatly to
his reputation a. an able lawyer.
Il is a sufficient proof oi the ability AMI success
~ Mr.. Hendricks In the senate That towards the
close Of single term he hal placed himself
a prominent candidate for the presidency. In
the Convention of i-sS he was brought forward,
and az enc time led an other candidates, rcceiv
ing the Folid vote of New York and the North
west. Circumstances combined against snou-
nation. however. ana Gov Seymour carried on
what proved % be a barren prize Ia the same
year MI Hendricks nan for Governor q second
time and was a second time defeated. Ills oppo-
nsnt Was Gov Conrad Baker, -nd so cloee was
me contest that MIR Hendricks only icii ~ votes
behind No one familiar with the politics 90 the
- N
majority wa an honest one.
After his retirement from the Senate In l-eq.
Mr. Hendricks returned TO the practice Of his
profession at Indianapolis, and although be- had
not been successful in his candidacy bef re The
National Convention. he was nj least well before
the country as man to he cons idered on all oc'
casions when a Presidential nomination was 10
be made. The unfortunate nomination OF Gree.
ley IN ls12. and the fusion with the ocalled
Liberal Republicans. postponed the day OF amDi.
ton, and Mr.. Hendricks, acQuiesciBg In what
appeared 10 be the popular viii. gave In his
hearty approval TO ths new departure. He was
not allowed 10 remain idle during the canvass.
Against his earnest protest he was again nomi-
mated for the Dovernorship. The campaign was
= bitter one, and almost disastrous to the Democ-
racy throughout the country. The result in In
diana was bad, but far better than in most other
localities The Republicans carried the Leglsla-
turc and elected all OF their state ticket EXCEPT
the Governor and Superintendent ~ Public IN
siruction. The majoritics were very small hut
they Were enough. The personal popularity ~
Governor Hendricks carried him through.
Governor Hendricks y q man of medium
height ana symmetrical form. We ie erect. ac.
tive and vigorous. His face IL manly lni hand
some. The features are large and expressive,
and while there Is a soft, good humored express
zion In the large blue eye and in ilc mouth an1
dimpled chin the brow, forehead and fun
heavy Jaw show wisdom and resolution. His
" h@rid and his hsir anil side-whi--
kers are yet untouched with gray. He looks
like one VINO has leu happy lie, encountered
no great sorrows aud yielded u no great vices.
II : disposition Is az sunny as his complexion,
and in social life he j. great favortc. To ac-
quaintances he Is ansble and easy, 10 close
friends warm and lovahle. 70 political pariisan-
courteous hut cautious. tie would rather
conciiate an enemy than ohlige an ally HIS
habits are such that he found 8 500 year am
pie for hls expenditures during ms senaio,lal
doing tse work which Ne itd 10 hlnH well ~ the
b ghesi recommendation % the Ions run before
the people, and the many honerr which nave
come TO him seem Ia have been conquered WITH
out great effort His voice isarathtrtbint tenor and
has nothing imposing Ia us tones, but ~ audible
io great distance when he spc axis with earnest
ness. lie appears 10 TIE beet advantage before
4 crowd for then be- kindles with the excitement
Of the occasion, and an Interruption or lest
from some dissenting audtori - all that y neces,
Hary 70 make HIM forget his haoitua
'ast 81 thought and hing hmsei
INTO da Ahing and aggrc ssye argument one u
NE features OF his career has been the long rival.
y between him and Morton-a riyary in which
he bitterness was all on one side. In all com.
possibility ~ the continuance of that rivalry Tor
he highest pize In the nation into account Vow
hat Morton ie out Of the field. they can probably
PROMISE, without a mental reservation, to carry
Indiana for their favorite.
Mr.. Hendricks is an Epiacopalan In religion.
Ills wife is a woman Of great culture and force y
,haractcr-one formed 10 be a mans cnmrane ~
he path Of honor rather than source OF tcmpta'
ion. They have no children.
Al Mavfeld XIV during n recent