Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-27

least, that no should labor earnestly In
oil fit ways best suited to his mental
makeup and to his surroundings
to promote the success Of the principles
in which he believes. To him no po-
litical partisanship honorable in its
methods was offensive in any party. He
saw only the instrumentslity through
which, and through which alone, might
be wrought out the triumph Of bis prin-
ciples in active, faithful, honorable
party service. He saw, therefore, the
devotion to principle, not mere lust for
Office. He believed that the party
clothed by popular will with the
responsibility Of the Administrs-
ton should everywhere entrust the
execution Of its policies to those
who were in political sympathy with
it and who had at heart its continued
and completed success. lie believed
that those of the ruling party, who had
done the most and sacrificed the most
in honorable active efforts, should, il fit
for public duty, be by that party every
where the first called to public SER
vice." Mr.. Spooner had a tender feel
ing in his heart for the man, who, for
twenty years, in sunshine and in storm,
lad led his party again and again to
certain defeat, who had kept alive its
organization in every State and county
and town, and who by unwavering
allegiance and effort had made posi-
Bile its ultimate success, and he could
not brook with any degree of patience
the suggestions in the hour of his
party's triumph that such men
should be reproschfully termed "poli-
ticians," and denied recognition lest
some political asthete" should
say it is a reward for party service.
The imputation that he was spoils-
man rather angered than grieved Mr..
Hendricks, for he knew it came from
those who had either been of hostile
camp, or who, if Of his own, had been
wont to liDger in the shade and slumber
while he and "the boys" as he some
times loved to call party workers, had
borne the heat and dust and burden
of battle. Spokesman or not, he
went down to his grave loved,
trusted, and mourned by his party,
and dare to believe that the
element of party fealty which brought
to him this reproach will not cause his
memory to suffer with the great mass OF
his opponents. There is a melancholy
comfort in the manner Of his death, said
Mr.. Spooner, in conclusion. He died
as one might wish to die who was well
prepared to die. Gods finger touched
him, and he slept.
This was Mr.. Spooner's maiden
speech in the Senate, and attracted gen.
eral attention, not only for its directness
and force, but for its graceful and feel
ing delivery.
Mr.. Sherman bore testimony to the
marked ability with which Mr.. Hen
bricks always maintained his opinions.
lie had been ready and courteous in de-
bate, never violent in manner or state
ment. BE had satisfied friends without
irritating adversaries. His arguments
were always clear and lucid in their ldeliV-
cry. Hierarchy paused but moved smooth
ly on like full river, and if his premises
were admitted it was difficult to avoid his
conclusions. After the war his ground
was that, as question of law, the war
could not and had not disturbed the
relations of the States. To use his own
words, When peace came it found a
State with its Constitution actually I'M
repealed and in full force, holding that
State to the Federal Union" His prin-
ciples, Mr.. Sherman added, were openly
avowed and ably defended. He carried
none OF the bitterness of politics into
his private life. lie was man easy of
approach, ahable, and kind to all !; the
best type of an American citizen.
Mr.. Salisbury characterized the de-
ceased as a man of fine intellect and
wide culture, who for more than quar-
ter of century had been known as
statesman of large and commanding in
fiuence, highly esteemed not only by
all who had the honor to know him
personally, but by millions of his fell
low-cOuntrymen who knew him only
by reputation earned by long, faithful,
and eminent public service. Mr.. Sauls-
bury expressed the belief that no
greater safety could be found for the
future Of our republic than that it
should find its future statesmen as true
in their devotion to free institutions as
Mr., Hendricks had been.
Mr.. Evarts expressed his pleasure at
the fact that he had been asked to par
ticipate in the expression Of the feelings
of the Senate on this occasion. 1t so
happened that he had a very good &C
quaintance with Mr.. Hendricks, dating
from the early period in his public ca
reer, many years ago. Mr.. Hendricks
had been pointed out to him in court
as a man who it was natural to expect
would be future and probably sue
cessful aspirant to the Presidency of
the United States. In the course of the
impeachment trial of President John
son Mr.. Evarts had opportunity to OBJ
serve the candor, courage, and constitu-
tional value of Mr.. Hendricks's opin-
ions. The speaker thought now,
as be thought then, that among all the
eminent men who took part in the de-
bates of that time no man appeared to
better advantage in composure Of spirit,
calmness Of judgment, and circumspec-
ton Of elaboration. lie could avoid
extravaganza and could skilfully draw |
a line between fidelity to the Constitu
ton and adhesion to the supremacy of
the party. Mr.. Evarts congratulated |
the country upon the fact that every !
State had its full representation in a
restored Union, and that as high de-
gree Of reciprocal respect and personal
regard existed between gentlemen rep |
resenting the States and people in Con-
gress as had ever characterized any Pc
riod Of our history.
AS to Mr.. Hendricks's partisanship,
of which something had been said, Mr..
Eyarts could find in history no other
MODE Of conducting the political affairs
of great and free people except by
great and firm parties. He believed,
therefore, that steadfast and intrepid
adhesion to party was merit. He had