New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-26
rycE-pRESJDENT HENDRICKS.

The sudden and unexpected death OF vice.
President Hendricks removes from the Nation
one cf its most conspicuous public men. OF
couciatory ways and winning manners, he was
probably the most popular man III his
party, and came the nearest to repre-
sentIng its true views and honest wishes.
That fact alone had much to do with the re-
peated defeat Of his efforts to secure a Presi-
dental nomination, as the time had not az
rived wheE the Democratic leaders saw the
way open to success with Il candidate
who protested no aims other than those
popular with the masses Of tie party. just
at time when the light seemed to be
dawning bright in the path of Mr.. Hendricks
ambition, his busy and eventful life Is brought
TO an abrupt and peaceful close. 1t was only a
few DAYS ago that he was rejoicing over what
seemed to him an indication of returning Demo
cratic sense in the cnoIce and election of David
b. Hill for Governor of this State. The current
OF Democratic thought seemed to be setting III
Mr. Hendricks direction and had he hYcd
until another National Convention met 1t Is
possible that nc would have been Il more for
mldable candidate than ever before.
Mr. Hendricks was Il born politician, and his
career extends over the most cventful period OF
the Nations existence. Unfortunately, IT can
not be said that ne has left upon the country
any special impress for cool. His excessive
caution never led him in advance Of his party
and his vigorous intellect was not used To up
hold the Government during the war. In his
early career III Congress he voted for the Kan
sas- Nebraska bill, which repealed the Missouri
Compromise and tore open the wounds closed
by Clay in 1850. That was the key Of
Mr. Ilcrdiicks's political life and marked
HIM as belonging to the reaction
AIRY school Of politics. His obstinate and
aggressive opposition in the Senate TO the
war measures of President LiucOlns Admins
tratlon his Recommendation al tn" Emancipation
Act and his support of President Johnson were
all in line with his earlier career. So were his
advocacy of the greenback imitation theory, his
denunciation of the Resumption Act, and his
support of measures to pay the National debt
other than i'll coin. Mr.. Hendricks honesty
was never questioned. His tcmpOrizing policy
led him to follow his party rather than at
tempt to lead it, as Mr.. Tildcn did Bat
when his opinions were once formed he was
generally ready to express them. In that he dii-
fered from many public men who, Ike him,
always have the Presidency in view. Though
he was not much cOnSutcu Dy Mt. lUdcH UuI-
ing the exciting times of 1867, yet he appar
emily approved of the course that was fol-
lowed but he never ceased to keep the " fraud
issue" prominent III his political speeches. Mr.
Hendricks was in no s.I,, 4 reiOrmcr. and
made no pretence of favOrinG Civil Service Re-
form. Easy of access, genial of manners and
popular with his party his loss Will be widely
mOurned
1t was unfortunate that Mr.. Hendricks did
not permit the choice of President pro tenn.
of the Senate at the last session. Neither Ouse
now has presiding officer and should anything
happen to the President there would be no one
who could become his unquestiOned successor.
After the experience Of ISL such Il state of
affairs ought not to exist. Nor would it exist
had the Democratic House OF Representatives
performed its duty in acting upon the bull which
the Senate passed on this subject. The Rcpub-
licans will hav e a majority of eight in the Sen
ate and the choice of a competent presiding
officer is assured. Senators Logan, Sherman
and Edmunds are mentioned for the place. and
the election of either of them would be Salts
factory to the country.