The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-27

the Democratic party. lie was belieyer IN the
old style and was compirnented by the hatred
of the mugwumps The weakness of his latter
days was shown in great solicitude to get his
friends into office. but his partisans forgave him,
for it was Democratic frailty.
ESSENTIALLY A PARTISAN
Charleston News and Courier.
Mr. Hendricks was rather narrow in his ideas,
and was essentially a partisan, but he was al
ways like Mr.. Cleveland, loyal and upright.
During the whole of his long record as public
officer, and as candidate for Office his integrity
was not impeached nor was word said in dis
paragement of his private life They who loved
him best were those who knew him best. No
where had he stancher and more devoted friends
than the quiet though thoughtful citizens among
whom he spent his life. Lacking muscle and
fibre as public man, possessing rather the
keenness of the rapier than the force OF the
hammer. Mr.. Hendricks, nevertheless, was no
table man in American politics. His honorable
ambition was never entirely gratifed, but he
came near unto il when he took his seat in the
Senate as President of that body by virtue of
his Office Vice president OF the United States.
and it is the very irony of destiny that he
should have lived so short time to enjoy dis
tinction SO long sought. and so sure to be worth
lily worn.
AN AGREEABLE AND ATTRACTIVE MAN.
Louisville Commercial.
Personally and socially he was an agreeable
and attractive man. and much of his political
strength was due to that fact. He was An able
and we II Uniformed lawyer, and skilltul practi-
toner. but he was never eminent as a legislator,
and lacked the positiveness of character and
conviction necessary for great or successful
political leader On many of the great ques-
tions which have been under discussion in his
time, his views seemed often vague and his posi-
tlon undecided, but 1t was never doubtful that he
desired the predominance of his partyin the
national councils and administration, and con-
sidered that the chief thing to be striven for in
the field of political action. The strongest and
best tribute to his personal character is furnished
by the general manifestations of excitement and
grief called forth by his death, among the citi
zens of indianapolis. where his home was for
many years.
A DEMOCRAT OF THE OLD SCHOOL
Chicago Tribune
Mr.. Hendricks was an extreme and bitter
Democrat of the old school-a Pharisee after the
straitest sect Before and during the war he
was an ally of the Southern SHAREHOLDERS; and
since, he was one Of the most conspicuous exam
piles of a trimmer within the lines of his own
party. He was by inheritance spokesman in
politics, and represented in the government the
opposite school to that which was spoken for by
President Cleveland when he said that public
Office is public trust" Mr.. Hendricks be-
lieyed that office was perquisite and appanage
of power, to be enjoyed rather than to be admin
istered His death is private sorrow which
will deseryedly call forth expressions of sympa-
is not public loss such as would be felt in the
taking off of one of the great leaders Of either
political party.
A POPULAR IDOL.
Atlanta Constitution,
Few men had stronger hold on the affections
of the people than Hendricks. He was popu-
lar IDOL. He addressed himself always to the
people rather than to the politicians. He looked
above and beyond the head of the man who con-
tested with him, and addressed himself to the
dim and vast populace beyond, the hum of whose
industry reached his ears and music to
them. Ills real power was with the people, and
he was weak with the men who pettlfogged.
This weakness alone prevented his reaching the
highest Office within the gift of the American
people. Next to the man whose victory he made
sure in 1876. and in whose place he might have
confirmed it, he was perhaps, the greatest of
living Democrats. Of singularly pure charac
ter of gentle and sincere nature, he was as Iowa
bic in his private relations as in his public ap-
bearings
HIS PURITY AND HONESTY.
New York World.
All over the United States, in all parties and
among all descriptions of men, there will be
genius ne. heartfelt sorrow at the Nations loss.
AS an active, aggressive statesman, strong in his
convictions and stanch in his constancy to the
Democracy. Mr.. Hendricks naturally was hon
ored by political enmities and the hostile criti
csms of Republican organs, but opponent
could gainsay his ability, and no assailant of his
partisanship ever dared to question his purity
and his honesty. In his long public life he had
filled the highest posts of honor and trust in his
State, and all but the very highest in the United
States. He came out of them all with clean
and unsullied record as a public servant, and
with the increased respect, confidence and affec-
ton of his party The higher the trust bestowed
upon him by his party, the more brilliantly
shone the lustre of his Democracy.
A STRICT DEMOCRAT
Cincinnati Enquirer.
1t is not easy-indeed it is not desirable-to
consider Mr. Hendricks apart from his character
as partisan. He was Democrat of the strict
sect. He was a statesman and publicist, but he
hewed his public life to the Democratic line, and
was fair illustration of the truth that parties
are indispensable to our republican form of gov
eminent He was thorough student of affairs
and firm believer in the principles of the Dem
ocratic party, and he sweryed not to the right or
left of his party allegiance. He was imbued
with the fact that no man was greater than his
party, and that great reforms, or needed changes
ties rather than through individuals He under
stood that parties were the organizations for
the expression of the peoples will
POLITICIAN NOT STATESMAN
st. Louis Globe Democrat.
Though his public career was that of poiti
clan, rather than of a statesman, there was
much in his private and personal character to
cause MN TO De ne!u In kindly remem brance by
men of both parties, especially in the State of
Indiana with whose history he has been identi-
fed for half a century He was the leader in
many bitter contest there The foeman of his
earlier days-Oliver P. Morton-went to the
tomb several years ago. These two were giants
of their kind. They led their respective hosts
as few have led men before or since. and were
followed with an enthusiasm rarely witnessed
then and more rarely witnessed now The
weaponless battles between Morton and Hen
drlcks form significant part of the great con
test of twenty-odd years ago
THE LAsP OF THE OLD LEADERS
st. Louis Republican.
AS an exponent and champion of the original
and only trustworthy Democratic faith he had