The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-03-10
Death Of Senator Matt. II. Carpenter.

Senator Carpenter. of Wisconsin. dicd
yesterday morning at his lodgings In
Washington City, after a severe illness
of some weeks durntion. His health,
however. had been failing for a long
time. The Senator was ono of that
class Of American statesmen who attract
grcat bodies of personal admirers, and
for whom their admirers entertain that
strong personal attachment which
amounts almost TO personal allegiance.
Senator Carpenter had many of the
characteristics of Mr.. Clay. He was an
orator, gifted with an imposing pres
ence and handsome form. He was
an able. q studious and an accom-
plished lawyer. He was more of
lawyer than a legislator--in fact. he
was lawyer with craftsmanship at
tached to his profession. The only
political Office he ever held was that Of
Senator from 1869 to 1875. and, after
an intermission of four years, from 1879
to the date of his death. In the Senate
he took high rank because of his ability.
his learning and his independence. For
two years during his first term he
served as President pro ten,pore of that
body.
Politically, Mr.. Carpenter was an
active Democrat until after the REBEL
ion was proclaimed, when he decided
that the best way to support the Union
was to give his influence to the Admin
istration and to the party which was
then defending the Union, and he con-
tinued to act with the Republican party
from that time to the end. His fervid
eloquence and great personal populari-
ty made him q valuable friend of the
Republican party, and did much to-
walds making Wisconsin, which had
always been Democratic, a solid Re-
publican State. When the term of MIR.
Doolittle, who had " Johnsonized," ex-
pired. Mr.. Carpenter was elected to the
Senate in 1869, where. as we have said,
he became conspicuous for his ability
and his eloquence, and won all hearts
by the magnetism of his genial manners.
At the close of the term in 1875 he
was defeated for reelection. He had
voted for the reckless legislation of the
Congress of 1873. including the famous
back-pay bill, and he went down in the
general defeat of the Republican party
in 1874 which followed that legislation.
Four years later, however, on the hap
pening of the next vacancy in the Sen.
ate. he was again elected.
There was during his public life an
opposition to Mr.. Carpenter founded
upon the industrious circulation of sto.
ries touching his personal life and asso
cistions. These stories--true, partially
true, or false-were. with gross exag
gerations. widely published to injurt
him. and for that purpose were sue
cessful to large extent among certain
classes of persons. With his usua
courage and unfailing spirit of inde
pendence, he did not permit such thing
to disturb him in any way; he treatet
all such things with contemptuous 81
lence. and pursued his personal, politi
cal and professional course undistnrbet
by the tongue Of malicious gossip.
Had Mr.. Carpenter entered public
life at an earlier date, had he made
craftsmanship his leading profession
he might have taken high rank anon,
the pubic men OF the time. He ha.
many of the best qualities for publ
service. He was q man of finished read
ing and education; he was a man of fas
cinating manners and attractive pres
snce; he had great command of Ian
guage. and all the graces Q
an orator; he was an expert
lawyer; and these qualifications, 8
rarely found united in such an eminen
degree in one person, are those whic
would have enabled him to attain a
honored and commanding position i
the country.
The State of Wisconsin has lost on
of her ablest sons, the Senate one Q
her brilliant orators, the legal profes
sion one of its brightest intellects, an
the country, sharing in these specia
losses, suffers also the loss of states
man and q patriot.-Chicago Tribune
February 25. ... I'D.