St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-26
DEATH OF MIR. HENDRICKS.

Again the American people are
called to stand with bowed heads by
the bier of fallen statesman. He
who but yesterday held the second
highest Office in the nation to-day
lies cold and pulseless. Again have
we solemn admonition of the eva
nescent nature of life. But few
hours ago, apparently in the en-
joyment of vigorous health, Vice
President HENDRICKS was the
central figure in crowd OF
devoted and admiring friends, who
loved him for his manly virtues and
exulted because of the honors with
which his countrymen had crowned
him. To-day he is beyond the sound
of praise or the fragrance of its in
cense. The suddenness with which
the death blow fell upon the nations
honored son intensifies the shock of
national bereavement.
THOMAS A. HENDRICKS has been
for many years conspicuous figure
in the political history of the country.
No leader of the Democratic party
has held a more prominent place in
his party's councils, and possibly
none held warmer place in the
heart of the masses of Democracy.
Mr.. HENDRICKS was Democrat
among Democrats. He was warm,
able and enthusiastic partisan. But
with all his partisan zeal he was
statesman of high stamp. Those
who have been disposed to regard
him as mere politician have under
estimated his true qualities. 1t was
during his career in the United States
senate that Mr.. HENDRICKS gave the
most forciDle illustration of the states
manlike qualities he possessed. 1t
was there that he stood as the leader
of little handful of Democratic SEN
atOrs, and with Spartan courage
held In check the immense opp0Si-
ton which sought to overthrow the
principles of constitutional govern
ment under the pretense of recon-
structing the rebel states. History
nnyubnrn raanrIc hnrnIn
gle and display OF higher qualities of
pure craftsmanship than were man.
ifested in the uneven contest waged
by HENDRICKS and THURMAN and
their Democratic colleagues in the
senate during reconstruction days.
Then it was that Mr.. HENDRICKS
gained his national reputation, which
made him one of the foremost politi-
cal leaders of his times.
Mr.. HENDRICKS enjoyed the singu-
lar distinction of having been twice
elected to the vice presidency, al
though by the grace of a packed
electoral commission he was de-
frauded of one term. The recollection
of the scene attending his nomination
at Chicago last year is still fresh in
the minds of the American people.
Mr.. HENDRICKS was made the Ne
mesis to avenge the foulest crime in
the annals of political history. The
cOnsummation of that act was honor
enough for one man. TO have been
the instrument in the hands of the
American people to wipe out that
dark stain upon the nations record
was higher honor than to be presi-
dent. Mr.. HENDRICKS was in the
highest and purest sense patriot.
The constitution was with him a sa-
cred covenant not to be broken. In
his eyes there was no higher law.
All the examples and traditions of
his family were in behalf Of
liberty, the constitution and the
laws. Now that the asperities
of the past have been removed by the
hand of Death, even his political
enemies will accord to his fame the
justice due his patriotic services as
an American statesman. Conspic-
uous, however, as were Mr.. HEN
BRICKS abilities and qualifications
as governor, senator and vice preSi-
dent. his social virtues shone so
brilliantly under all circumstances
that his personal friends will always
recall his memory first and most
tenderly in connection with their
display. His mind was stored with
good things which people of the high
est culture loved to hear. 1t was in
Indiana that he was best known, and
it was in Indiana that he was the
popular idol. 1t was there that he
died and there will he be buried. 1t
is appropriate that he should rest in
the bosom of the state for whose
welfare and prosperity he has la
bored, and whose people have honored
him above all of her distinguished
sons.