Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-10-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
THOMAS A. HENDRICKS.
tFrom:the shelbyyil!e lind. J Democra

tFrom.the Shelbyyil!e t1pd.l Democras.l
The next National Democratic convention
will assemble with greater responsibilities at
tending it than will accompany any political
aseemblage that will convene in the year
1880. IF wisdom is permitted to guide its
action the convention will be the fore>ruuner
of one of the iercest political battles ever
fought in this country. The work of select
ing candidates will be of the first importance
as the great heart of the nation throbs in
feverish dread that some mistake will over
take those who are to be entrusted with SO
grave question. Who can reccncile all of
the antagonist elements in the Dem0cratic
party and draw strength from the opposition
: Is q prohlem not so easy of snlution as ono
might imagine. But we believe that Hon.
Thomas A. Hendricks can come nearer uni
ting all of the discordant fsctions than any
other man spoken of for the Presidency
within the Democratic party. aud being thus
convinced we enter the list to champion his
cause. This is the home of Mr.. Hendricks;
here were witnessed his early dnys, his strug.
giles at the bar and all of his first efforts to
achieve distinction as a lawyer and fame as
statesman. We know hin, well, yes better
than tho world knows him. because his life
has always been before US as his presence
has been with us always with but slight in
terruptions. Through sii tho political con.
teste through which he has passed., no one
has charged him either with official corrup-
tion or being devoid of personal integrity,
but on the contrary it has always been con-
ceded by his adVersaries that his private lifo
was without reproach aud that his public
record was free from plumber. We have seen
him in the halls OF the nation engaged in
legislation calculated to benefit his country
- L..
in his pocket to have legislated in the inter.
ests of the rings so common in Washington
city. We have seen him doing duty on
many of the most important committees and
have observed that he never made hIunder
in his life from which either his party or his
country suffered. We have seen him in the
Senate CT the United States measuring
swords with tho giauts of the Republican
party-alwsys their equal in devotion to
country aud never behind them in broad and
liberal craftsmanship. We have seen him
seated in the gubernstorial chair by the votes
of thousands of admiring men of all parties
and have seen him retire with the plaudits
of generous people In short he has shed
a halo of imperishable glory about every po-
sition he ever filed and never proved recre-
ant tn a public trust.
Hendricks long and active participation in
public affairs has peculiarly fitted him for
the Presidency, and the people knowing
this anziously look forward to the day wheu
ne shalI be elevated to the chief place in the
Nation. In 1876 he was the choice in tho
National Convention of many patriotic and
far.seeing delegates who only consented to
relinquish their choice after a prolonged
struggle 10 which is was yell understood that
he should be tho nominee IN 1880. He
IL -, i
ed it of him and carried Indiana for the
ticket in that memorable campaign when i.
would have been fatal to the ticket and to
the cause Of liberty and free institutions TO
have lost it. Dir. Hendricks has very prop.
erly said that he will not again take the
second place on the ticket and has spoken
the sentiments of the Indiana Democracy
upon that subject. New York for years has
been permitted TO name the Democratic
nominees and has acIdom failed to name q
New York man who, has always led Us 10
defeat. The entire West Is becoming tired
and disguised with the bummers of The
East who seem 30 be more interested in
place than they are in true Democrats doc
trine. The great West and South can nomi-
nate ticket which would everywhere be
hailed with joy, aud after having placed it
in the field they have the power 10 see that
it will be triumphsutly elected. But New
York can be carried with as much certainty
with Horstio Seymour, Sanford E. Church,
or some such man on the ticket for Vice.
President as It can with Mr.. Tilden as our
nominee for President. Sir Hendrieks made
the sacrifice once, and now it is in order for
some other Democratic Statesman to foIlow
his example in the intsFast of suecesg and
good government. Mr.. Hendricks repre-
ssuts State that it is important to carry )
be- bss public record which can not be