The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-06-25

rs possible from the bighting influence of
demagogues. At the same time. [ am on
posed to class legislation, and in favor of
protecting and fostering the interests of the
laboting and producing classes in every
legitimate way possible, A pure, economi-
cal, constitutional government, that will pro-
teet the liberty OF the people and the property
of the people, without destroying the rights
OF the states or organizing its own powers be-
You'd the limits Of the constitution, is the kind
OF government contemplated BY the fathers,
and by that think the Democracy propose
to stand"
But Mr.. English was not permitted to re-
main long out of public life His abilities
were universally recognized.
CLERK U. 5. SENATE COMMITTEE IN 1850.
He was clerk of the claims committee in
the United States senate during the memora
Bile session of the compromise OF 1850, heard
Calhoun and Cass Clay and Webster, Ben
ton, and other great statesmen Of the age, in
those able forensic efforts, which obtained so
much celebrity and led to tho results so
gratifying TO every American patriot.
AT the close of the session he resigned his
position and returned 10 his home in In
diana.
ELECTED SECRETARY OF THE CONSTITUTION
AL CONVENTION.
The people of that state had Just decided
to call convention TO revise the state consti-
tuition which had been adopted in 1916, and
after an existence of over third of CEN
tury, the adoption of Il new constitution, in
accord with the sprl! Of the times, was APP
preached with much caution. Every one
felt the necessity of confding the trust to the
wis It and best men in the state, and it is
dot tiul whether a superior body of men
ever assembled for like purpose than that
which assembled at Indianapolis in October,
1853, to prepare constitution Tor the great
state of Indiana. Mr.. English had the dis
tihguished honor of being elected the princi-
pal secretary Of the convention, and of Off
cially attesting the constitution which was
prepared by the convention after over four
months deliberation, and ratified by an over
whelming vote of the people.
As secretary If the convention, he added
largely TO his reputation. and the fact was
recognized that his abilities were of char
acter to command wider sphere of useful
ness to the party and to the country.
ELECTED To THE LEGISLATURE.
The adoption of the new constitution made
a necessity Cor q thorough revision of the laws
OF the state, and the same high order of tai
emit was needed 10 mold the laws rs had been
required TO prepare the constitution itself
1t was, therefore, a great honor TO Mr.. Eng
fish that in 1851 he was elected to represent
his native county in the state legislature
against an opposition majority, and over a
| competitor considered the strongest and most
popular man of his party in the county. This
was the first meeting of the legislature under
| the provisions of the new constitution, and
judgment and discretion were required of the
legislature to put the new machinery into
harmonious and successful operation.
ELECTED spEKAER OF THE HOUSE.
But still greater honor awaited him, for,
Notwithstanding he was then but twenty
nine years of age, and it was his first session
as q member, and, also, that there were many
old, experienced and distinguished men in
that legislature. Mr.. English was elected
speaker by twenty-eight majority, and it may
| be mentioned as an evidence of his ability
and popularity as a presiding officer that,
during his long term of service lover three
months), no appeal was taken from any of
his decisions. This was the more remarka-
BILE as il was the first session under the new
constitution, when many new points had to
be decided.
ELECTED TO CONGRESS.
With the close OF the long session of the
legislature of 1851, in which Mr. English had
earned golden opinions from men Of all par
ties he was justly regarded rs enc of the
foremost men of the state, and the Democrats
of his district with great unanimity solicited
him to become their standard-bearer in tn
race fer congress. He was nominated, and in
Octo Der, 1852, was elected by ASS majority
over his very worthy competitor John D..
Ferguson.
SLAVERY AGITATION POSITION ON SLAVERY
QUESTION.
The controversy about the institution of
slavery, which had been going on, with but
little interinission, ever since the formation Of
the government, ragged with greatly increased
bitterness during the eight years immediately
preceding the war. During all this period
Mr.. English was in congress.
He greatly deprecated and un'paringly
denounced the aggressive nle'su IS 0t tue
Abolitionsts, and their perS ste. n@ltatlon
of the subject. he belNtd l.. faithfully
maintaining all the rights OF the slave holding
:tates as guaranteed by the constit 'tion, and
that it would be wisest to refer the question
of slavery to that best and safest of all trlou-
nsls-the people to be governed. They are
the best judges of the soil ami climate ana the
want of the country they inhablt; they are the
true Judges Of what Will best sult ;nelr own
condition, and promote tner welfare ana
happiness" .,;tror,s
= Soaking for himself ana ulS CONSTITUENTS,