The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-06-21
Some REASONS why Governor Hen
bricks should be NOmin sted at
st. Louis.

Some Reasons why Governor Hem
bricks should be NOmin sted at
st. Louis.
1t Is but two weeks now until the meet
ing of the ST. Louis convention. The
newspapers have been and now are, much
occupied with it's possible and probable
action. Who will be its nominees? Who
ought to be Its nominees? The discussion
of these questions attracts large share o
public interest, and the people are making
up their judgment upon them. 1t is,
therefore, proper that we should briefly
present some of the considerations which
justify the action of this state in declaring
its preference for Mr.. Hendricks.
He is, at the age OF Fl ty-six years, in the
prime of vigorous manhood. He has oc-
cupied many important and responsible
positions, which have given him much ex-
perience in public affairs. AS a member
of the Legislature he acquired bis first ex-
perience in parliamentary proceedings; as
a member OF the state constitutional
convention of 1850-5l, he exhibited
the results of careful study, of state organ
izstion and state institutions, and in the
office OF governor, which he now fills, he
has shown high executive ability, always
regulating his conduct by the law, and en-
forcing strict economy in expenditures.
From 1851 to 1855 he was a member of the
House of Representatives, and occupied a
responsible position in Its proceedings and
debates. For four years he was at the
head of the general land Office. The bust
ness of that office was then larger and
more difficult than ever before or since,
yet his administration of it has been re-
garded as in an eminent degree sue cessful.
From 1868 to 1869 he was a member of the
United States Senate. His care and dill
gence in respect to the public business
were recognized by the whole country.
During the entire term in no Instance did
he seek to avoid the labor of duties as
signed to him, nor the responsibilities OF
the public debates. Upon all the impor-
tsDt questions that arose his opinions were
fully declared. This fact is a suffic emit
answer to the charge of timidity which is
sometimes made against him. While
member of the Senate he was the acknowI-
edged Democratic leader OF that body, and
no man could have obtained that position
without being possessed OF courage, as wei.
as ability. While he favored in the Senate
the successful prosecution of the war and
voted for all appropriate and necessary
supplies, he resisted ali encr0achmeut Is
upon the constitution and the constitu-
tionsl rights OF the states. At the close OF
the war he opposed the series of unconsti-
tutionsl measures called reconstruction,
and held that the states were not out of
the union and to be admitted upon arbi
trsry conditions, but on the contrary, that
they were in the union, and that their
practical relations were to be restored, and
they were to be protected In a republican
form of government. We need not speak
OF the ability and good Judgment be dis.
played throughout this long, difficult and
conspicuous services; it is not questioned
by any, it is conceded by all.
We have referred to Mr.. Hendricks long
and varied public service, not for the pur-
pose of making review thereof, but to
present him as he is-s man of large ex.
4 PChlChCo oD0 w oOoo qudbblCcs lis eOlCCtiOu
] to q high office would not be a venture. but
it would be trusting our affairs in the
hands of one whose habits of thought and
invest CATION and whose composure oil
judgment qualify him to deal safely and
successfully with them. IL will be
observed that the positions filled by Mr.
Hendricks, both under the authority o.
Il
States, have been responsible and difn MI
o 1es, and 1t is striking fact that his con-
duct in Office has been almost without
criticism; that in each position he has
strengthened hts hold upon public con-
fience. and added 70 his character as a
man of safe judgment, thorough In investi.
CATION and OF uDquestioned integrity.
1t would be- oisagreeable to institute
comparisons between Mr.. Hendricks and