Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1880-07-10

CodCuiuS consequences usu CAS'A "A.o'
which few years subsequently tested to
the utmost limit the strength of the Re-
public.
Mr.. English served four terms in Con
gress-in all eight years-inmediately
proceeding the war, aud that during t"e
entire period as stormy as the National
Legislature ever experienced. Mr.. En-
glish, who was a rember of the Commit
on Territories, identified himself with
the celebrated Kansas Nebraska bill, and
suggested certain changes and moditica-
tions in the bill, which were adopted.
Upon the question OF the admission OF
Kansas into the Union, Mt. English took
Il firm stand opposing its admission under
the Lecomptn constitution, until that was
submitted to the people of the State. He
reported, therefore, Il bill which became
known as ''the English BILL" and which
was adopted by one majority.
After tho passage of the "English hi'I
a very determined effort was made to
prevent Mr.. Eng ish's re election to Con-
gress, but he was returned by larger
majority than ever. There had been no
change in tho toundr,es of his district,
but his career, in this as in everything
else, had been upward and onward, his
majority gradually increased at each ell
ectiou from 400 in 1852 to 1000 in 1858,
and this at Il time when Democratic
congressman were almost swept out of
existence in the Northern States. At the
close of the Thirty-sixth Congress, and
when in the full meridian of success, new
e1 having been defeated before the peo-
pie, and with fair prospect of being ad-
vanced to still higher political honors. he
retired from Congress aud active political
life as an -hol.ler.
At the close of his useful and honorable
congressional services, Mr.. English was
confronted with the fact that a new de-
parture in his business life wasinevitable.
He had abandoned active political and
declined official position. He had grown
rusty in the law, but his native energy
forbade that he shond remain quiet. At
this iunctnre he concluded to embark in
the business of banking, and, in connec-
tion with J. F. D. Lanier, of New York,
and George w. Riggs, of Washington
City, he established, in the SPRING OF 1863,
the First National Bank of indianapolis.
This bank was among the first organized
in the United States under the national
system and the very first to get ont its
circulation. Mr.. Erglish's connection
with this bank brought him into great
prominence as Il fnanclec, and in this
position, as in other cases of great res
| ponsibil,ty, he displayed consummate
ability. During the period OF. his connec
ton with the First National Bank the
question of rational finances excited the
profoundest solicitation and engaged the
attention of the best thinkers in the
country. During the entire period "f
that discussion Mr.. English's views were
| we'll under stood. No mans opinions
! were less cquivocal. This knowledge of
business, of finances and of the n eds of
the country was comprehensive. He was
opposed to intla ton, and as cert ainly OPP
posed to extreme and hasty legislation II
looking to forced assumptions. With re-
gard to gold and silver as the st; ;ndards
of value, and to the absolute necessity of
| ulIlNlaIS Io III aA' >o'h
Try was more pronounced in his declara-
tions. The heresy Of au irledeemable
paper currency found in Mr.. English an
uncompromsing opponent result
his financial record is without 'blemish.
+ Mr.. English presided over his hanS over
fourteen years, to the en- ire satisfaction
of the stockholders, and then, in 1877, in
the full meridian of financial success, he
resigned the presidency and retired from
active business, AS he had years before
retired from active politics as an Office
holder when in the full tide of political
success. Faithful to every trust, he re
tained the good opinion of his associates
then, us he bad of his constituents when
he retired from Congress.
Mr. English is a man of action rather
than of words. His efforts as q debater
arc more remarkable for practical com
m on sense than for brilliancy of "rat"ry
or the flowers IF rhetoric His mind,
strictly pgacticaI in all its scope anh
hearings, IS eminently utilitarian. Ener'
gy of character, firmness of purpose and
an unswerving integrity are his chief
characteristics. In personal intercourse
he is inclined to be retiring and reserved,
which might he attributed to hauShl
| ness or pride by a stranger, but to an ac-
uuaintence and friend he is open, candid
and affabe. In the private and social re-
lations of life he stands ''without bemlsl
and above reproach." As business
man he has most valuable qualities
Without being too cautious, he is prudent
| and conservative,
Heis above.the average height, with ar
| ~ a..,,> HI, hand 10 n