The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-07-24
Thomas A. Hendricks.
OF THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
FOR VICE PRESIDENT.

Thomas A. Hendricks was born a
Buckeye, his native place being a
small village in Muskingum County,
not far from GAINESVILLE, o. In 1922,
when he was three years old, his father
moved to Shelby county, Ind, and that
State has since been his home His
father had sufficient property to edu-
cate his children, and at the age of
twenty-five young Hendricks was
graduated at Hanover College. He
went Immediately to Chambersburg,
Pa, where he studied law, and two
years later was admitted to the bar
He then returned to Indiana, and in
the village of Shelbyville hung out
his shingle. Old acqUaintances say he
made quick success, both by his
knowledge of the law and by his at
tractive personal characteristics. 1t Is
said that the late Governor Morton,
when opposing young Hendricks,
could usually win before a jury, but in
an argument before Judge, Hendricks
would beat him every time.
In lS48 Hendricks was elected 9
member of the State Legislature, and
two years later helped to form a Con.
stitution for his State. The next five
years he served his district inCongress.
Then one morning, while sitting OH
the portico of his home in Shelbyville
1 Il L., L. 4. g.. L. a n
ope pOstmarked Washington" II
WAS from Franklin Pierce, asking him
to come to Washington and take the
office of Land Commissioner. He &c
cepted, and for nearly four years dis
charged the duties of that post. He
remained in office one year longer than
he Intended to because of a controversy
with Land Officer Burch of Missouri
BurclI's son had taken up a very larg,
tract of the best land in Missouri, ant
Burch wanted TO get patent for tn,
young man, contrary to law and right
Hendricks cut off the grab and staye1
in office long enough to see that i
should not again be attempted. While
Commissioner he heard and decided
1000 contested land claims
His standing before the people of hi
State made him the Democratic candl
date for Governor in 1866. This wa
not good year for Democratic candi
dates, and Henry s. Lane defeated
him. Lane went to the Senate at onc'
and Morton succeeded to the Govern
or's chair Two years later the Dem
ocrats turned the State Legislature ant
the Senate inside out, and the new
Houses at once elected Hendrick
United States Senator for the term eX
piring in 1869. This was the OppOr
tunity which Hendricks needed to Civ
him national reputation. Democrat
could do little more than protest il
those days, but Hendricks protested
against the Republican reconstruction
methods SO effectually that he was tn
most conspicuous candidate before tn
National Democratic Convention hell
in New York City in 1865. New York
delegates and all the Northwes: backe'
him, but Ohio kicked over the traces
voted persistently for Seymour, am
finally, with the aid of the CALLER.
gods, created a stampede.
In 1876 Mr.. Hendricks was nOmi
mated for the Vice Presidency Oh tn
ticket that has since become famOu
owing to the events that immediatel.
followed the election of that year.
: Mr.. Hendricks selection for the sec
ond place on the ticket by the Chicag
Convention, was so unanimous it MA,
be conjectured that his nomination
will be as popularity received by hi
} party at large.