Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-06-24
JOHN A. BINGHAM.

ii IL Is true lndI JOnn y. bingham Is t(
re-enter political life as candidate fol
Congress in Ohio, it will be something like
the past age of political activity stepping
down out of its ancient frame into the sun
light of the present. But it will not be
the coming of an old fogy to the front
Bingham is man among men, and q poll
tician among politicians, such as there are
few of in the land. We turn back to the
pages Of political record, and find written
the annals of field battles in political life
wherein John A. Bingham was a leader
whose blade always flashed in the front
rank of the storming party. Bingham
came to political life when Benton and Clay
and Webster and Calhoun attained their
prime. He entered the field Just as they
were folding about them the mantle of
well-earned reputation as statesmen, and
preparing 10 retire. In Congress Bingham
found Cass, Hale, Gwin, Washburne,
Bayard, Douglas, Stevens, Seward, Colfax,
Giddings, Letcher, and whole galaxy of
great men noted for their strength and
political and personal influence upon the
country, and for the active part they had
in shaping It's destinies. For twelve event
full years he served his State in the Fed
eral legislature, and in all that time never
shrank in the face of 4 political foe or
turned his back upon the Union. Grant
sent him out to Japan as our Minister, and
when we met him in Sacramento as he
passed to his post we found the fires of a
vigorous political youth burning as
brightly as ever in his eyes. That was in
1878. lie served us in Japan with honor
to the nation, and longer than his
personal convenience warranted. On
his return to his home he an
nounced his intention of retiring
to the well-descrved rest of private life
But the man who does so much for his
country as has this pioneer in the cause of
human freedom, who devotes so much Of
AtA' A4AN ~ NAAO oSlN iOS vi tnG ndtIun dS lie,
cannot deny the demand of the people for
his continuance in activity so long as per-
sonal vigor will serve him. The people of
Ohio are to be congratulated on his
return, in response to call he can
not resist, to the activities of the
political field. His venerable pres
ence in the political arena will aid in
driving from it the braggarts and rascaIs
who have prostituted party to personal
ambition, and made country second to
their selfish schemes. Bingham viii rise
in their midst, like an accusing angel, and
read them lessons of patriotism that
should make their cheeks Jingle with
shame. John A. Bingham was born in
Pennsylvania in ISIS, admitted to the bar
in 1910, sent to Congress in 1854 from
Ohio and elected for five successive terms
He was one of the most polished and
trenchant Of debaters in the House. and 9
foeman that worthy enemies delighted tC
meet, for he was the embodiment of honor
wit and high-mindedneSs. He and ThaC
Stevens were the committee appointed t.
present articles of impeachment agains
Andrew johnson, and he was chosen chair
man Of the managers to conduct that tria
for the prosecution. oglesby, Sherman
Morrill, and one or two others are all WHIT
remain in political life of Bingham's col
leagues in the time that tried mems souls
Washburne and other patriots are shelved
but the taking of Bingham from tn,
privacy 10 which he had retired may re
suit in some of the few old warehouses lef'
being also brought to the front again.
His re-sntry, should he finally resolve IL
stand for Congress, will recall to memory
the days in which he did gallant duty fol-
the cause OF human freedom and an indis
soluble Union. The Thirty-sixth Congress
which in many respects was the mos
eventful ever assembled, since it lust pre
ceded the war and was the scene of 81
much tragic activity leading up to it, wa,
the one in which Bingham won his high
est honors. Salmon P Chase was Their
Governor of Ohio, and timid about tn,
stability of the Union; Seward, Brecken
ridge and Crittenden, JEFF Davis. John P
Hale, Slidell, Judah P. Benjamin, TN
elder Bayard, Salisbury, Lane and Brigh
were IN the Senate. In that Congress
Bingham was among such host as ha
seldom been grouped-such men as Fes
sender, Sumner, Chandler, Wade. Trum
bull, Sherman, Douglas, Corwin, Conkling
Colfax, Gliding, Lovejoy, Grow, Logan
Vallandigham, Pendleton, the Washburns
Sickles, Pryor, Charles Francis Adams
Banks, Thad Stevens, q the Metternich o
Republicanism,7 Morrill, and Others whose
names form part and Parcel Of the mos
important history of the country. The