Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-08-02
THOMAS A, HENDRICKS

f THOMAS A. HENDRICKS.
!. Thomas Andrews Hendricks, Gov
! ernor of Indiana, the Democratic can
/. didate for Vice President, is q son 0
2 Ohio, having been born in Muskingun
/ county, in that State, in 1917. Whei
: he was three years Of age, however
/ his father removed to Shelby county
Indiana, and since that time the lattel
State has been his residence. Mr.
, Hendricks received liberal education
and he graduated with honos at Han
over College in ls41. lie then tool
up the study of law and was admitted
TO practice in 1S43. His thorough cd
ucation and clear, logical mind soon
gave him prominence at the bar, and
bis success was Of an exceptional char.
actcr, both in jury trials and before
the bench. He had an earnest man
ner when stating case or addressing
q jury that made him at all times d
dangerous opponent In 1913 Mr.
Hendricks began his political career,
being chosen TO the State Legislature,
and Immediately took q high place as
a safe, wise counselor in political mat
tors, and a good leader in d fight upon
the floor Of the House. In 1850 the
people in his district selected Mr.. Hen
bricks as one Of their representatives
in the State Constitutional Convention,
where he added to his already estab-
lished character Entering Congress
in 1851, from the indianapolis district,
Mr. Hendricks remained in that posi-
tion until 1855, and engaged in all the
discussions of that heated period. As
close debator and keen dealer in facts
he had few, if any, superiors in that
body, and his reputation soon expanded
into national one. He was appointed
Commissioner of the General Land
Office by President Pierce in 1856, and
continued by President Buchanan un-
til 1856. In 1860 be was nominated
by the Democrats Of Indiana as their
candidate for Governor His oppon-
ent on the Republican ticket was Hon.
Henry S. Lane. The canvass was
spirited, and Hr. Hendricks, was de-
fcated. Shortly after Mr., Lanes elvc-
ton he was chosen United States Sena-
tor, and Hon. Oliver p. Morton was
selected to ill bis place. The Demo
Gratis carried the State in 1862, the
Legislature fell into their hands, and
Mr.. Hendricks was sent to the Senate
for six years. He was in that body at
u time when it required ooolness, dis
cretion and courage TO act with the
minority, This Senator Hendricks
did in such a manner as to command
the respect of even his bitterest politi-
cal adversaries. In the impeachment
trial of President johnson, Senator
Hendricks played marked and con-
spicuous part, and his career in the
Senate was such as to place him promi-
nently before the Democratic party
of the nation in connection with
the Presidency. When the Nation
al Democratic Convention Of 1868
assembled Mr.. Hendricks was presented
by Indiana, and received the support
of the whole Northwest, but Mr. Sey-
mour OF New York, was finally chosen.
The same year Mr.. Hendricks was
again nominated for Governor of In
diana, and defeated by the Republican
candidate, Hon. Conrad Baker. The
difference was only 961 votes. This in
full poll showed his local popularity
and strength. From 1869 TO 1872 Mr..
Hendricks engaged in the practice Of
law in the courts of Indiana and also
those of the United States. But in
the latter year he was for the third
time put on the track for Governor,
and defeated his opponent, General
Tom Browne, although the remainder
of the Republican ticket was elected.
His majority was /, l4S. The verdict
passed upon his administration by fair
men of all parties was that it was "able,
conscientious and high-minded." Dur
ing his term Of office Governor Hen
bricks had to act upon the liquor ques-
ton, and the controversy which grew
out of that matter was both bitter and
protracted. In relation to the currency,
he said, on taking the chair of the
Democratic Convention at indianapolis
in 1874, that gold and silver were the
true basis Of our currency, and that
the proper method of returning to
specie payments was through the grow
ing up process--the development of
the resources OF the South, the increase
Of production and the retrenchment of
public and private expenditures. He
consequently argued against the hasty
contraction of our paper circulation,
checking labor and paralyzing enter
prise on the one hand, and against un-
due initiation, which would lead to de-
probation and reckless spirit of spec
ulation and adventure on the other
He also declared "that gold and silver
are the real standards of value is
cherished Democratic sentiment, not
now nor hereafter to be abandoned"
and continued: III do not look to any
arbitrary enactment of Congress for
restoration of specie payments =
The business Of the country alone can
do that" Mr.. Hendricks Is firm and
jealous friend of the common school
system of this country, and has labored
long and well to bring that OF Indiana
~ ,so p,os0"I u,u Is'so =, uso'u'nes' NV. "nu
poo1 po, ~ snc.,;n app.Irao9 ,ha ontad anI man M
~ ia,a ~ ea l;o'nn, @' Vuss aGsro.no, onusonVu ~
dr;", % ',,apuv, sap "r a;,,,,, GVoTinol hn;h ie l
u,Uns - ,;ni 'n san VI ui & no ., anu
ga D;onrons ~ u;s too0 r s,Oo ,Oo,,i,' a.soS Ivy
snaaa u ssoao"' rhd s "Oo - many "nd VA
aSmn"Ss;',o no .nd nh;Io ,bano o :" ~ a"n a1e