The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-07-01
aeheeliug .&egister.
THOMAS A. HENDRICKS
Our Next Vice President.
Sketch of His Life and Public
Services.

leCt OF this sketcn was only
three years old. The fact
that be was born in a nelghboring State
has not affected his popularity in Indi-
ana, since many of the people are of
the same stock, and Mr.. Hendricks
growing up from childhood with the
younger common wealth, became ldenti-
fed with all its interests pros
perity and prejudices. 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 liberal educs-
ton, graduating at Hanover College in
l84l. He then studied law at Cham
bersburg, Pa, and was admitted TO the
bar in l843 He returned TO Indiana
Immediately after and entered upon the
practice of his profession. His success
was rapid and well earned. There was
always "a charm about him that won him
hosts Of friends. He was pure in NOR
AS, AID not merely upright in character,
but s"l.ci.. a. Ia preserve himself from
even the appearance of evil. He was
careful in moaey matters, and slow
~ accumulated his present moderate
fortune. although his practice was often
interrupted by political service and his
expenses increased 10 meet the social re-
quirements of official station. At the
bar he was distinguished for learning,
subtlety and eloquence. His tempera-
ment is such that at times he filings
aside his habltusl courtesy and caution,
and gives Tree rein to his aggressive i'm
pulses. He was ever on such occasions
q dangerous opponent. In comparing
him as a 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 judge
In l848 Mr.. Hendricks was chosen q
member of the State Legislature, and IN
1850 he served in the State Constitu-
tional Convention. During the next Fl ve
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 Tor Governor
against Henry S Lane, and was defeat
ed. Lane was chosen United States
Senator Immediately after his Inaugural.
ton, and Oliver 2. Morton succeeded to
the Governorship. In the election of SG2
there WAS political revulsion and Indiana
elected Democratic Legislature. Mr..
Hendricks was then chosen Senator for the
term ending March, 1863. He served in
the Committees on Claims, Public Build
ings and Grounds, the Judiciary, Public
Lands, and Naval Affairs. This was n
period during which the Democratic
party in the Senate WAS represented by
4 weak minority. Nothing was possible
save al 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 well rs strong opposition in the Senate
Chamber. Mr.. Hendricks at once took
the lead among the Democrats and made
for himself national reputation. 1t is a
common criticism upon him that he is
limid and cautious. Let those who think
80 read the debates during his term OF
office, and they will be astonished to find
the Indiana Senator ever active and ag-
gressive. They may not agree with all
Of his opinions, but they will be struck
with the irankness and holiness with
which he maintained them. If left to
himself he seems cold AS flint, but the
clash of personal encounter klndles
him into f-e. He was active in oppo-
sltion to the measure overturning the old
state governments, the imposition of test
osths, the Civil Rights bill, the Freed
mans Bureau bill and kindred legislation.
He shaped his political conduct upon
the theory that the prosperity OF the
white people of the South, even though
lhey had been rebels, was a matter OF
more Importance than the prosperity OF
the negroes. II either race was to 30 to
the wall, he thought it should be the
black race; but he held that in the natu-
raj supremacy OF the white race was a
guarantee for the safety OF all. Exslting
the freedmen into governing class and
disfranc hising their masters he held to be
rs evil system rs slavery. his argu.
ments on the great questions of that day
have been adopted rs the authoritative
statement OF true Democratic opinion IN
the summaries of Congressional debates.
In tle memorable episode Of the Presi-
dents impeachment he played nm impor-
,ant part, and added greatly to his repu-
tation as an able lawyer.
1t is a sufficient proc OF fthe ability and
success OF Mr.. Hendricks in the Senate
that towards the close of single term he
had placed himself among the foremost
men of his party ard become prominent
candidate for the Presidency. In the
convention Of 1868 he was brought for
ward, and at one time led all other can
dids,es, receiving the solid vote OF New
York and the Northwest. Ohio, how
ever, which had been compelled to sban
don ITS own candidate, was determined
10 defeat all other Western men, and
the delegates from that State threw
their votes for Horstlo Seymour per-
sistently, and ilnsll, produced STAN.
pede OF the whole convention TO his sup
port. His nomination ut that time was
unfortunate For years the friends OF
Governor Hendricks cherished feeling
of animosity toward their Ohio neigh
bors, and TO this day have not forgiven
sundry New York politicians, WIS, they
imagine, secretly aided and abetted the
man9uvre of Pendletons supporters TO
secure the domination of Seymour. They
have always held thSt the nomination OF
their own favori would have turned the
political tide. This is mere nonsense, and
thew ought TO be thankful rather than
chagrined that he was not made the can
didste of the Convention. This question
was virtually decided IN Indiana that
wear, where he ran for Governor the
second time and wss second time de-
fested. His opponent was Governor
Conrad Baker, and 50 close was the con-
les, that Mr.. Hendricks only fell sol
votes behind. No one familiar with the
poli,ics of the State ever supposed, how.
ever, that Bakers majority was an hon.
est one
After his retirement from the senate
in. 1869, Mr. Hendricks returned T. the
practice of his profession at Indianapolis,
and, although he had not been successful
in his candidacy before the National Cen
yen,ion, he was al least we'll before the
country as a man to be considered when
. Presidential nomination was 70 be made