The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-07-06
Nuhdfal
THoMASANDREW HENDRICKS.

ident of the United States, was born in
Muskingum county, Ohio, September 7,
1910. His father removed to Shelby
county, Indiana, when Thomas was only
three years old. The fact that he was
born in neighboring State has not af-
fected his popularity in Indians, since
many ofthe people are ofthe same stock,
and Mr.. Hendricks, growing up from
childhood with the younger common
wealth, became identified with all its in
o. terests--its prosperity and prejudices.
No man is the State is now more general
ly loved, and certainly no one is less ha-
ted. His youth was not season of hard
ship and he received liberal education,
graduating at Hanover College in IS4I.
He then studied law at Chambersburg,
Pa, and was admitted to the bar at that
place in IS43, 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 accumu-
lated his present moderate fortune, al
though his practice was often interrupted
by political service and his expenses in
creased to meet the social requirements
of official station. AT the bar he was
distinguished for learning, subtlety and
eloquence. His temperament is such
that at times he filings aside hit habitual
courtesy and caution, and gives free
rein to his aggressive impulses He was
ever on such occasions dangerous OPP
ponent. In comparing his as lawyer
with his rival, Morton, it is common to
say that Hendricks was apt to be worsted
before Jury and his rival had no chance
before a Judge.
In I848 Mr.. Hendricks was chosen
member of the State Legislature, and in
1850 he served in the State constitutional
Convention. During the next five years
he represents 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 immediate
ly after his Inauguration, and Oliver P.
Morton succeeded to the Governship.
In the election of 1862 there was polit
ical revulsion, and Indiana elected
Democratic Legislature. Mr.. Hendricks
was then the chosen Senator for the term
ending in March, 1869. He served in
the Committees on Claims, Public Build
ings and Grounds, the Judiciary, Public
Lands, and Naval Affairs. This was a
period during which the Democratic party
in the Senate was represented by week
minority. Nothing was possible save an
able protest against the various recon-
struction measures adopted, and this was
to be made in the face Of strong preju-
dice throught the country as well as
strong opposition in the Senate Cham
Der, Mr.. Hendricks at once took the
lead among the Democrats and made for
himself national reputation. His argu-
ments on the great questions Of that day |
have been adopted as the authoritive |
statement Of Democratic opinion in the
summaries of Congressional debate. In |
the memorable episode of the Presidents
impeachment he played an important |
part, and added greatly to his reputation
as an able lawyer.
1t is a sufficient proof ofthe ability and |
success of Mr. Hendricks in the Senate
that towards the close of single term he |
had placed himself among the foremost
men ofhis party and become prominent
candidate for the Presidency. In the
convention of 1868 he was brought for
ward, and at one time led all other can
didates, receiving the solid vote of New
York and the Northwest Ohio, however,
which had been compelled to abandon
its own candidate, was determined to de-
feat all other Western man, and the de-
legates from that State threw their votes
for Horatio Seymour persistently, and
finally produced stampede ofthe whole
Convention to his support. In his own
StateI however, he run second time for
Governor that year and was second
time defeated. His opponent was Gov
ernor Conrad Baker, and so close was
the contest that Mr.. Hendricks only fell
o6I votes behind No one familiar with
the politics of the State ever supposed,
however, that Bakers majority was an
honest one.
After his retirement from the Senate in
1870 Mr.. Hendricks returned to the prac-
tice ofhis profession at Indianapolis, and,
although he had not been successful in
his candidacy before the National Con-
vention, he was at least well before the
country as man to be considered on
all occasions when Presidential nomi-
nation was to be made. He himself
never lost the consciousness that the eye
of the public was on him, and always
acted with circumspection, as if anticipat-
ing the blaze of a national canvass and
desirous of keeping his record clear
The unfortunate nomination Of Greeley
in 1872 and the fusion with the socalled
Liberal Republicans postponed the day
of ambition, and Mr.. Hendricks, acqui-
escing in what appeared to be the popu-
lar will, gave in his hearty approval to
the new departure. He was not allowed
to remain idle during the canvass.
Against his earnest protest he was again
nominated for the Governorship. The
campaign was bitter one, and almost
disastrous to the Democracy throughout
the country. The result in Indiana was
bad, but far better than in most other
localities. The Republicans carried the
Legislature and elected all Of their State
ticket except the Governor and Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction. The ma
jorities were very small, but they were
enough. The personal popularity of Gov
ernor Hendricks carried him through.
AS a man corteous in social intercourse,