The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-12-01
"A Senator'S "reminiscences. 3


Ex SENATOR HENDRICKS ,REcoLnEcTIoNs 4
PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE UNIT E
sfATEs SENATE .sre ~ ~ bqs 4seis u
An Indianapolis (Ind y letter givesthe ps
ticnlars Of an interview held with Exe Unite
States Senator Thomas A. Hendricks Dnriz
the interview Mr. Hendricks gave intereetiI
\ "reminiscences of some of the prominent me
whom be had met in the Senate9 He saad:,o
Many Senators whom l met al, that, tin
we're men of marked qualities Mr. iCollame
fof Vermont, was one of the most ingenior
and plausible debaters have ever heard Il
was then Senator, greatly respected and e.
ercised a decided influence; in his characte
and policy be was decidedly conservative.
Mr.. Anthony Of Rhode Island, who is "
in the Senate, was then in the prime Of hi
manhood, courteous and elegant in his mar
ner, never giving offense, always devoted t
his party, and very successfully taking charg
of its interest
l met. with no man In the Senate who's
seualssses Interested ne More than NJ. Bucka
Il L
tiring. but when called ont by duty, a debate
of rare ability, philosophic in his habits o
thought, not combative, punctilhous, holding
strong position and exercising much influenc,
in the Senate. During his term he prepared
a very interesting work, outside of his senate
rial labors, on the subject of Minority OF
Proportional Representations 1t is the ables,
work on that subject that has come to my
knowledge. Mr.. Buckalew was singularly re-
firing, modest and democratic in his habits
His colleague. Mr. Cowan, was always lis
tened to with interest He was a dashing de-
batter, and came into any controversy when il
was at the highest, and was able to maintain
himself against much odds He came into
the Senate Republican, but became very rest
less under party discipline. -a
One of the most interesting characters in
the Senate of that day was Garrett Davis He
was war Democrat from Kentucky. think
he was the most fearless debater ever heard
not always the most considerable for the
cause he advocated
Mr.. Dooittle, Of Wisconsin, was perhaps
the finest orator in the Senate During the
first part of the war he was conservative
Republican. By his convictions of right and
by extreme hostility on the part OF others to his
political position, he was carried into the
ranks of the Democratic party and became
one of the strongest advocates of the Demo
cratic cause. As friend he was sincere, az
an associate charming
Mr.. Fessenden was then at the height of his
very distinguished career | think Maine has
never been so ably represented in the Senate
AS debater he was very emarkable-quietly
a:tentively, he listened to those opposed to
him until he appreciated exactly the field OF
the fight; then, without note, book or authori-
ty, he made his reply SO clearly that he could
not be misunderstood, and never knew him
to leave a point unanswered do not mean
that his answer was always successful, but it
was always able. He was one of the great
men of his party, and held great influence un-
til he found himself compelled to separate
from it in his vote against the impeachment
of Andrew Johnson
Governor Grimes represented the State of
life. The influence of his able and excellent
administration as Governor of Iowa did much
to establish the State permanently as . Repub-
lican State He too, separated from his party
on the impeachment question.
ssJvhn ~ .uss.alessi,:
served at thetune went into the Senate and
very much SPOKEN Of. He was a brilliant man,
but not astudent, as | thought, and, be had
come to repeating himself. f.te s4fr s..,a
Mr.. Henderson was young Senator from
Missouri,a good lawyer, a strong debator, and
very sincere in his convictions. He also sepa-
rated from the Republican party on the i'm
parchment question.
Reverdy Johnson was the ablest lawyer in
the Senate. l have never heard any one who
SO readily, and without special preparation,
announced his legal propositions and support
ed them by exact reference to the authorities.
For a part of the time Henry s. Lane was
my colleague. He deserves to be held in high
estimation by his countrymen Passionate in
his politics, but sincere and truthful, with few
superiors as an orator
John Sherman was not then frequent in his
addresses to the Senate, but always the same,
well prepared, and left his views distinctly
impressed upon the mind of the body.
The most distinguished member of the Sen
ate was Mr.. Sumner. Many of his speeches
were political essays rather than debates He
was man of great learning, capable of ex-
haustive research, thoroughly in earnest, never
polite, never avoided q question to accomo-
date friend or foe, not even to save his party
he stepped at once to the front edge of ques-
ton and required feebler and more timid parti-
sans to follow. have said, and suppose |
was correct, that at his death he left more of
his sentiments embodied in the laws of the
country than any other man.
Mr.. Trumbull, of Illinois, was in MANY re-
spects distinguished man. As a debater he
was very able, as lawyer very eminent He
was chairman of the Judiciary committee, and
reported many of the most important bills
touching the relations of the races and the
reconstruction OF the States He, too, left the
Republican party upon the impeachment OF
Andrew Johnson
Mr.. McDougal, of California, was bril-
liant and attractive man, although not man
of much influence in the body Some of his
speeches made upon the spur of the occasion
without preparation were as remarkable as
you find in the best collection of literary gems
II had a Globe would like to refer you to
one or two exquisite specimens. remember
one occasion when the bill was pending in the
Senate upon the Presidents veto OF the ad
mission of Colorado. Ii all the senators were
present 1t was known that the bill could not
pass. Senator Wade called the bill up Che be
ing chairman of the committee on Territories
at the time) late in the evening some Senators
were not present. Mr.. Dickson, Senator from
Connecticut, supporter of the Veto it was
announced in the Senate, was sick, and thai
he could not safely attend Mr.. Wade ex
pressed the thought that if Providence hac
favored the measure for the admission O
that State, it was proper for its friends to take
advantage of that circumstance, and so he in
sisted that the bill should be taken up and
passed upon. just then McDougal came into
the Senate, and without taking his seat, but
standing by his chair, he replied so completely
so powerfully, in few sentences as to settle
the fate of the bill for that npht fter Nc