The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-03
THE VICE PRESIDENCY.
Sketches of the Democratic Candidate
THOMAS ANDREWS HENDRICKS.

THOMAS ANDREWS HENDRICKS.
Gov. Hendricks, of Indiana, was born
in Muskingum County, o., September 2.
1919. His father removed to Shelby
County, Ind, when the subject of this
sketch was only three years old. The fact
that he was born in a neighboring state has
not effected his popularity in Indiana,
since many Of the people are Of the same
stock, and Mr.. Hendricks, growing up
from childhood with the younger COM
monwealth, became identified with all its
interests-its prosperity and preiudices
No man in the state is now more generally
loved, and certainly no one is less hated
His youth was not season of hardship
and he received a liberal education,
graduating a Hanover College in 1S4l
He then studied law at Chambersburg,
Pa, and was admitted to the bar at that
place in lS43. He returned to Indiana
Immediately after and entered upon the
practice of his profession. His success
was rapid and well earned. There was
always charm about him that won him
hosts of friends. He was pure in morals
and not merely upright in character, but
solicitous to preserve himself from even
the appearance of evil. He was careful
in money matters and slowly accumulated
his present moderate fortune, although
his practice was often interrupted by
political service and his expenses increased
10 meet the social requirements Of official
station. At the bar he was distinguished
for learning, subtlety and eloquence. His
temperament is such that az times he
filings aside his habitual courtesy land
caution, and gives free rein to his
aggressive impulses. He was ever on
such occasions a dangerous opponent. In
comparing him as lawyer with his rival,
Morton, it is common 70 say that Hen
bricks was apt to be worsted before Jury
and his rival had no chance before a
Judge.
In lS4S Mr.. Hendricks was chosen a
member of the state legislature, and in
1850 served in the state constitutional con.
vention. During the next FIVE years he
represented the Indianapolis district in
congress, and for four years afterwards
was commissioner of the general land
Office. In the memorable campaign OF
1860 he ran for governor against Henry s.
Lane and was defeated. Lane was chosen
United States senator Immediately after
his Inauguration. and Oliver Z. Morton
succeeded to the governorship. In the
election Of 1862 there was q political
revulsion, and Indiana elected a Demo
cratic legislature. Mr.. Hendricks was
then chosen senator for the term ending
in March. 1869. He served in the com
mittees on claims, public buildings and
grounds, the judiciary, public lands, aud
naval affairs. This was q period during
which the Democratic party in the senate
was represented by weak minority
Nothing was possible save an able protest
against the various reconstruction
measures adopted, and this was to be
made in the face of strong popular pre-
JUDGE throughout the country as well a:
strong opposition in the senate chamber
Mr. Hendricks ut once took the leaC
among the Democrats and made for him
self national reputation. 1t is a common
criticism upon him that he il
timid and cautions. Let those
who think so read the debates during hi
term of office, and they will be astouishcC
TO find the Indiana senator ever active auC
aggressive. They may not agree With al
of his opinions but they will be strucl
with the frankness and boldness will
which he seems cold as flint, but the clasl
of personal encounter kindles him int,
fire. He was active in opposition 10 tn
measure overturning the old state govern
meuts, the imposition Of test-oaths, tn
civil rights bill, the Frecdman's Bureau
bill and kindred legislation. He shar
ed his political conduct upor
the theory that the prosperity of tn
white people Of the south, even though the
had been rebels,was a matter OF more i'll
portance than the prosperity of the negroes
If either race was to go to the wall h
thought it should be the black race; bu
he held that in the natural supremacy {
the white race was a guarantee for tn
safety Of all Exalting the freedmen int
governing class and DISTINGUISHING thei
masters he held TO be as evil system a
slavery. His arguments on tn
great questions of that day hav
been adopted as the authoritative state
ment of Democratic opinion in the sun
marics of congressional debates. In tn
memorable episode of the presidents in
parchment he played an important part
and added greatly to his reputation as a
able lawyer.
1t is u sufficient proof of the ability an
success Of Mr.. Hendricks in the senat
that towards the close of single term
had placed himself among the foremos
men OF his party and became a prominen
candidate for the presidency In tn
ward, and at one time led all other cand
dates, receiving the solid vote Of Ne1
York and the northwest. Ohio, however
which had been compelled to abandon il
own candidate, was determined to defea
all other western men, and the delegate
from that state threw their votes TO
HOratiO Seymour persistently and fnall
produced stampede OF the whole CONVEX
ton 10 his support. His nomination q
that time was unfortunate. For years tn
friends Of Governor Hendricks cherishe
feeling of bitter luminosity toward thel
Ohio neighbors, and TO this day have nc
quite forgiven sundry New York polit
clans. who, they imagine, secretly aide
and abetted the mau9uyre of Pendleton
supporters TO secure the nomination {
Seymour. They have always held tha
the nomination of their own favorit
would have turned the political tide Thi
is mere nonsense, and they ought TO b
Thankful rather than chagrined that h
was moi made the candidate of the col
vention. This question was virtually dt
cided in Indiana that year, where he ia
Tor governor u second time and was q Sc,
ond time defeated. His opponent wa
Governor Conrad Baker, and SO close wa
the contest that Mr.. Hendricks only fe
9Gl votes behind. No one familiar wit
the politics Of the state ever supposed
however, that Bakers majority was a
honest one.
After his retirement from the senate
1869 Mr.. Hendricks returned to the pra
tlce of his profession at Indianapolis ant