Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-03

present in the fulfiilment of them.
with headquarters on Governor
island, New York.
WIN. ii. ENGLISH,
THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR
THE VICE-PRESIDEECY.
William Il. English was born Aug.
27, 1922, at the village of Lexington,
Scott county, Indiana.
His education was such as could be
acquired at the common schools of
the neighborhood, and course OF
three years study at the South Han
over college. He studied law and
was admitted to practice in the cir
cult court at the early aye of Is years.
lie was subsequently, admitted to the
supreme court of his state; and i'll
the twenty-t!lird year Of bis age to
the highest judicial tribunal i'll the
country, the supreme court OF the
United States.
At ali early age Mr.. Euglish's incli
nations turned to a political life. His
youthful ambition to win success, and
opportunities which then presented
themselves, combined to urge him III
this direction of effort. However, i'll
the calm reflection of later years, and
in the full realization of these aspira-
tions, he laid down the honors and
emolumcnts of office to seek in the
walks of business a more cOngenial
vocation. He ideiitiRed himself with
the democratic party, and took n
prominent part in the political con-
tests of his county, even before he az
aived at his ma jprity.
Several years before he was of age
he was chosen delegate from Scout
county to the democratic state con-
vention, at indianapolis, whici. nom
mated Gen. Tilghinam y. Howard
for governor. There was no railroad
connection with 'he capital at that
time, ami the roads were in such de-
pl0rable conditions that 1; took him
six days hOrseb tck riding TO III axe
the round trip. lie commenced max
ing speeches in that campaign, aud
continued in active politics for many
years.
This was the celebrated clog cabin
and hard cider campaign," which re-
son to the presidency. But "Tippe-
as harmonious as the party that had
sung and hurrahed them into power
anticipated. Harrison could not. in
his old age, stand the worry and
strain of the position, and died soon
alter Inauguration. Tyler, who theu
became president, separated from the
party that had elected him, and the
democrats were soon again in the as.
tendency.
Under the Tyler administration Mr.
English was appointed postmaster OF
Lexington, his native village, then
the county seat of Scott county.
In 1913, he was chosen principal
clerk Of the house of Representatives
of his state over several distinguish
ed and worthy competitors. 1t wa
ut this session that the Hon. jesse D.
Bright, the then lieutenant governor
and president of the senate, by his
casting vote postponed the regula.
election of United States senator
until the next session, which resulted
in his own election.
After the election of Mr.. Polk tC
the presidency, to which Mr.. Englisl
| largely contributed as an active amC
| efficient politician in his section OF
| the country, he was rendered an ap
pointment in the treasury department
at Washington, which he accepted
and continued to discharge its duties
during that administration. lie wa!
not the man to disguise his principles
or make all effort To keep place un
| ri ~, . 4. a
posed. lie votcd for the nouiia,iol
of Cass Ill the national convention
and had strenuously opposed til,
election of Gen. Taylor. He, there
fore, on the day preceding the iuau
guratiOn, sent TO Mr.. Polk letter o
resignation. which was extenslvel,
copied by the democratic press, witt
comments approving the Independent
| spirit OF its author.
But MIR. English was not permitte &c
to remain long out of public life. Hi.
abilities were universally recognized
He Was clerk of the claims com
mlitee in the United States senat,
during the memorable session of th,
compromise of 1850, heard Calhoun
and Cass, Clay and Webster, Bentel
and other great statesmen of the age
in those aDle forensic efforts which
obtained so much celebrity and lee
te the results SO gratifying to every
American patriot.
lD 1851 he was elected to represeu
his native county in the state Iegisla
ture against an opposition majority
and over competitor considered tn,
strongest and most popular man o
his party i'll the county. This wa
the first meeting of the legislatur,
under the provisions of the new con
stltutlon, and judgment and dlscrc
ton were required of the Legislature
TO put the new state machinery int
harmonious and successful operation
1t was, therefore, no small compli
ment for so young man as Mr.. Eng
lish to have been chosen over S,
many older and more experiences
citizens.
But IL still greater honor awaited
him, for, Notwithstanding he Wa
then but 20 years of age, and it wa
his first session as IL member, ant
also that there were many old, eX
perlenced and distinguished men il
that legislature. when the caucus tt
nominate speaker was held, he re
ceived twenty-five votes, to thirty
one for Hon. John w. Davis, VIII
had been long member and spcake
OF the United States house of repre-
sentatives, and had also been minis
ter to China.
With the close of the long session
OF the legislature of 1851, in which
Mr.. English had earned golden opin
ions from men of all parties, he wa
justly regarded as one of the fore
most men of the state, and the dem
ocrats of his district, with grea
unanjmity, solicited him to becom,
their standard-bearer in the race fol
congress. He was nominated, and il
October, 1852, he was elected by 4St
majority over his very worthy com
pctitor, John ID. Ferguson, now de