National Republican., 1885-11-26

On the eve Of Thanksgiving Day when
all the people in every part of the country
were Lusy with preparations for the festal
occasion, death suddenly entered the home
Of the Vice President Of the United States
the silver chord was loosed, the golden
bowl broken, Thomas A. Hendricks was
numbered with those who were, but are not.
It was pleasant home that has thus been
darkencd, for Mr.. Hendricks was model
of domesticity His home life was always
bright and pure. The relations between
him aud the partner Of his joys and sor-
rows were not those Of affection only, but
of respect, friendship, and hearty co-opera-
tion in mutual interests and pleasures. All
who were admitted to social intercourse
with the Hendricks household carried
thence sweet and lasting impression, for
they saw close approximation to the ideal
husband and wife. No man, however high
his achievements in politics or statecraft, can
leave a lesson more needed or more useful
than that Of absolute fidelity to home.
In his political creed and methods Mr..
Hendricks represented the antipodes of the
national REPUBLICAN and the party to
whose faith 1t adheres. The Republican party
has never proposed measure or taken a
step in its career against which Mr.. Hen
bricks has not brought the full weight of his
conceded ability. Mr.. Hendricks was de-
cidedly not war Democrat during any OF
the years Of our great civil struggle
The means adopted for carrying on
the war did not meet bis approval any
more than the war itself. Emancipation,
snfranchsement, and reconstruction all
found in him n relentless opponent He
was not, so far as we know or believe,
member Of the disloyal association which
sought to turn his state over to the con-
federacy, but the leaders of that association
were his admirers, and he did not deem 1t
necessary to denounce them or their treason
able works.
This much the truth demands, but truth
and justice permit us the sincere pleasure
of saying we have not single doubt that
Mr.. Hendricks was honest, was true to his
ass ssass Of Reerson99i 9g and gpe!iS duty sa in
trying period.
While We must withhold from Mr.. Hen.
bricks the admiration which we give to
those of his old political associates who
rallied to the support of Lincoln and the
old flag and stood up manfully for the
cause Of the Union, we cannot hesitate to
concede that he was actuated by good mo-
tiyes.
Few men have ever been SO generally and
sincerely respected by the people among
whom they have lived us was Mr.. Hen
bricks by the people of Indiana. Next to
Oliver p. Morton, his grand old foe, must
stand the name Of Thomas A. Hendricks in
the list Of Indiana's illustrious sons.
In all the offices he held, including sena-
tor, governor, and Vice President, he kept
his fame unsullied. He carried into the
discharge Of his public duties those princi-
pies Of rectitude which were the safe guide
Of his honorable private life. Though not
great man in the broadest and highest
sense Of the word, he must have possessed
many Of the elements of greatness or he
could not have taken the leadership Of his
party IL the Senate, almost from the mo-
ment OF his admission to that body.
The death Of the Vice President leaves
only one life between constitutional order
and possible anarchy, there being no presi-
dent pro tempore Of the Senate and no
speaker of the House Of Representatives.
Mr.. Hendricks erred In not opening up the
way for the Senate to elect pro tempore
president, and his political brethren are
censurable for the absence Of any legal pro-
vision for such contingency as would
happen II the President of the United States
should be stricken down before the meeting
Of Congress.
Mr.. Hendricks will be greatly missed aud
sincerely mourned in Washington, where
lie had many warm friends. The hearts Of
all our citizens are touched with tenderest
sympathy for the bereaved wife. With the
thanks that will be rendered In our churches
to-day for all the blessings Of the closing
year will be mingled earnest prayers for the
lonely widow weeping beside the inanimate
form of the dead Vice President.