The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-07-06
Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks

Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks.
Thomas Andrews Hendricks was born in
Muskingum county, Ohio, September Z, 1919
When he was three years old his father moved
to Indiana, and young Hendricks graduated at
Hanover College in 1871. Two years later he
was admitted to the bar, Where his success was
rapid. In his profession he was distinguished
for learning. subtety and eoquence. His tenn
permanent is such that at times he filings aside
his habitual courtesy and caution, and gives
free rein to his aggressive impulses. He was
ever on such occasions Il dangerous opponent
III comparing him as lawyer with his rival
Morton, it is common to say that Hendricks
was apt to be worsted before a jury and his ri
val has no chance before Il judge. In 1913, Mr.
Hendricks was chosen a member of the State
LEGISLATURE, and in 1880 he served in the State
Constitutional Convention. During the next
five wears he represented the indianapolis dis
trict in Congress, and for four years afterwards
was Commissioner Of the Genela al Land Office
In the memorable campaign of 1860 he ran for
Governor against Henry 5. Lane and was de-
feateu. Lane was chosen United States Senator
Immediately after his Inauguration, ard Oliver
Z. Morton succeeded to the Governorship
In the election of 1862 there was Il political re-
vulsion, and Indiana elected democratic Leg
stature. Mr.. Hendricks was then chosen SEN
ator for the term ending in March, 1869. He
served in the Committees on Claims, Public
Buildings and Grounds, the Judiciary, Public
Lands and Naval Affairs. This was a period
during which the Democratic party in the Sem
ate was represented by a weak minority. Moth
ing was possible save an able protest against
the various reconstruction measures adopted
and this was to be made in the face of strong
popular prejudice throughout the country as
we'll as strong opposition i'll the Senate Cham
ber Mr.. Hendricks at once took the lead among
the Democrats, and made for himself Nation
al reputation. 1t is common criticism upon
him that he is timd and cautious. Let those
who think so read the debates during his term
of office, and they will be astonisled to find the
Indiana Senator ever active anu aggressive
Bit they W1rbe &rffcK Win the 1rankness; and
holiness with which he maintained them If
left to himself he seems cold as flint. but the
clash of a personal encounter kindles him into
fire. lie was active IN opposition 70 the meas
ure oyerturning the old State Governments
the imposition of test oaths, the Civil Rights
bill, the Ereedman's Bureau bill and kindred
legislation. ENalting the freedmen into Il gov
ernng class and DISTINGUISHING their masters he
held to be as evil system as slavery His ar
guments on the great question of that day have
been adopted as the authoritative statement of
Democratic opinion in the summaries of Con-
gressona debates.
In the memorable episode of the Presidents
Impeachment he played an important part, and
added greatly to his reputation as an able law
yer 1t Is sufficient proof of the ability and
success OF Mr.. Hendricks in the Senate that to-
wards the close Of single term he had placed
himself among the foremost men of his party
and become prominent candidate for the
Presidency. In the Convention of 1868 he was
brought forward, and at one time led all other
candidates, receiving the solid vote of New
York and the Northwest. Ohio, however
which had been compelled to abandon its own
candidate, was determined to defeat all other
Western men, and the delegates from that State
threw their votes for IIOratiO Seymour persist
emily, and finally produced a stampede of the
whole Convention to his support. His nomna-
nation at that time was unfortunate. Hendricks
friends have always held that the nomination
of their own tavorite would have turned the
political tide. This question was virtually de-
cided in Indiana that year, where he ran for
Governor a second time and was second time
defeated. His opponent was Gov. Conrad
Baker, and so close was the contest that Mr.
Hendricks only fell 9G1 votes behind. No one
familiar with the politics of the State ever sup
posed, however, that Bakers majority was an
honest one After his retirement from the Sen
ate in 1863, Mr.. Hendricks returned to the prac
tice of his profession in Indianapolis. He en-
Enthusiastically assisted the Greeley campaign in
1872, and was elected Governor of Indiana the
same year, and this was about the only office
saved TO the Democrats in the State that year.
His honesty and ability are qualities not to
be doubted. His views upon finance are i'm IA
vor of an honest hard-money currency, though
his plan OF bringing about a return to specie
payments doubtless differs somewhat from that
which is popular in the East Last year he
went to Ohio to support Gov. Allen, not be-
cause he admired the financial views of the lat
ter, but because he deemed the triumph of the
Democratic party in that State essential, and
threw himself into the canvass heartily, hold
ing that the financial issue was not the over
shadoWlng one. On questions Of State policy
Mr.. Hendricks has shown mastery KNOWLEDGE:
but there Is one matter upon which he has ever
been especially solictous, namely, the school
system OF Indiana. AS member of the Con-
stitutional Convention, he was active in secur-
ing ample provision for popular education and
placing It's support beyond the vciSsitudes of
politics. Impressed with the value of the work
then accomplished, he has since repeatedly in
sisted upon the most anxious Watchfulness over
the growth and perfection of the system and
relaxed in its favor his Democratic prejudces
towards strict construction and economy Gov
Hendricks is man of medium height and SYM
metrical form. He is erect, active and vigor-
Gus. His face is manly and handsome. The
features are large and expressive, and while
there is soft, good-humored expression in the
large blue eye and in the mouth and dimped
chin, the brow, forehead and full heavy jaw
show wisdom and resolution. His complexion
Is forld, and his hair and side Whiskers are vet
untouched with gray. He looks ike one who
has lived happy life, encountered no great
sorrows and yielded to no great vices. His
disposition is as sunny as his complexion, and
he is highly esteemed in social life. One of the
features in his career has been the long rivalry
between himself and Mr.. Morton, though the
bitterness is all on the side of the latter In
religion Mr.. Hendricks is an Episcopalian. and
he has worthy help-meet in his amiable and
accomplished wife.
The Philadelphia Times, a new and very
smart independent paper, says Of Tilden-
For once the Democracy have given the
country a leader who is himself the embodi.
mpnt of the issues of the contest He iS
pedient-no inotiensive nobody to driveI thro'
IL contest without offense He is courageous
offender, inside and outside his party-a master
general, who holds no council of war-an ag-
gressive chieftain, who turned from the tester-
ing Iammany citadel he had conquered by po-
lltlcal rebellion, and driven its supposed omn-
potent magnates to flight or death, who con-
quered the chivarous Dix because he bore the