Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-12-05
HONORING HENDRICKS.

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Wheeler of the latter.
HON0RING HENDRICKS.
At meeting of the citizens of st.
Louis, on Saturday last t,many eloquent
speeches were made in regard to the
life and services of the dead vice pres
ident. We can only find room for the
following speech of
HON. JOHN B. HENDERSON.
Mr.. Hendricks, whose death is now
so universally deplored, occupied for
many years an important position i'll
American politics. AS early as 1913
he was an active, energetic and use
ful member of the Indiana legislature.
Two years thereafter he assisted prom
inently in the formation of the cOnsti
tuition of that state, under which it has
grown to be one of the greatest of the
western states. In 1851 he entered the
lower branch of congress, where he
remained till 1856, giving promise of
future usefulness by that intelligent
and conscientious examination of pub
lie questions that marked his subse-
Quent career. In the latter year he
was selected by President Pierce as
one fitted by legal learning aud integ-
rity of character to administer the
affairs of the general land office at
Washington. So distinguished was his
service in this important bureau that
he was continued by Mr.. Buchanan
administration till 1859, when he re-
signed it and returned home to prac-
tice his profession.
During these years MIR. Hendricks
has acquired the reputation of good
lawyer, an able debater, cOnscien-
tiOus official and an active, sincere
democrat OF the old JacksOnian school.
In 1868 he was elected u senator from
Indiana for full term and served till
March 4, 1869. 1t was during this
period that he come most prominently
before the American people. He was
then in the full vigor OF manhood,
possessing a large experience Of public
affairs, mind stored with useful infOr-
nation; bouyant. cheerful disposition,
and a manner SO kind as to attract
friends wherever he was personally
known.
AT the same time there appeared in
the senate from the state OF Pennsyl-
vania. IL man of the same gentleness of
manner, more retiring and dlffident
perhaps than. MIR. Hendricks, but
possessed Of equal powers as all orator
and skilled debater-I allude to
Charles r. Buckalew, who, am glad
to know, is still living. During this
period (from 1868 to 1862 there were
but few democrats in the senate. They
constituted a sort of forlorn hope,
exciting at times the pity and then the
contempt of the overgrown majority,
against whose favOrite measures they
often presented the most formidable
objections.
This small band of democrats looked
to Messrs. Hendricks and Buckalew as
their leaders. They were ready parli-
amentarlans, good constitutional law
yers, ready in debate and quick to
grasp the real points at issue. In
addition to these elements of leader
ship they were men of genial manners
and of undOubted honesty of purpose.
They both enjoyed the highest social
positions. SO high that SANDER was
abashed In their presence.
After the war closed the period of
reconstruction came-a period scarcely
less exciting and dangerous than the
| w "a AtoOh SSOu ohk sAesS my OySS
1T least may not again behold either
civil war or reconstruction in this
country.
1t was during this period that l
learned something OF the virtues of
what is termed conservatism or COM
mon- sense in politics; and l also
learned that though prudence and
moderation may sometimes save a
nation, they who attempt to stem the
tide of fanaticism and prejudice
usually share the fate of those luckless
swimmers who rashly oppose their
bodies to the oceans pillows. If they
are ever again seen j. is, only when the
pillows have retired and the calm
returns. My political associations were
not with these men, and yet l recOg-
nize the important services they rem
dered to their country. They stood as
a barrier against the more dangerous
heresies of legislation. When it was
proposed by some to confiscate the
property of rebels and territOrialize
the seeded south, these men pointed
TO the constitution and recalled the
fraternity and friendship of our early
history. They assisted in allaylng
animOsities, in overcoming sectional
hatred and so framing the work of
legislation as to welcome the return of
peace-that peace which now blesses
restored union. We who differed from
them often became impatient and
chafed under what we sometimes con-
sidered factious opposition. But under
all circumstances they bore themselves
as to command the respect of their
associates and the confidence OF the
country.
Subsequent events demonstrated this
fact III an eminent degree in the case
of Mr.. Hendricks. In 1872, while his
state gave large majority for Gen.
Grant for president, it elected Mr..
Hendricks as governor of the state. In
this position he added to his reputa.
ton rs statesman and fortified him.
self in the esteem and confidence of his
party.
In 1876 party expediency alone pre-
vented his nomination to the presi-
dency in this city, and the same may
be said of the action of his party at
Chicago III 1884. Although not reach
ing the highest place in official station,
he certainly reached the highest place
in the confidence and affections of his
party.
| IL DC edItl tudt WI. lChS
was ambitious. 1T SO it was because
he was an earnest man. He was. in
my belief, and l knew him well,
thorough conscientious man. lie
believed in his party as the Christian
believes in his church. He worked for
its success because he believed that his
country's welfare depended on that
success. We may have differed from
him, but we all have learned to admire
his work as public servant and to
respect his virtues as man. lie was
truly, in the language of the poet, the
"nOblest work of GOd-an honest
man."
ZOE CARNIVAL.
Will the smallpox epidemic in Mon
treal render it impossible to hold there
the grand and gorgeous ice carniv al
which has been planned for next Win
t"r? That would be misfortune in
deed, not only for the beautiful and
substantial city itself, but for the
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