Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-06-15
THE IS NOBLEST ROMAN OF
THEM ALL"

THEM ALL" 4,
The best description of Allen Cranberry
Thurman's political career, can be found
in the eloquent speech of Senator John W.
Daniel, seconding his nomination, at ST.
Louis. We publish it on the fourth page
Of to-day's paper, in full. Of his personal
history there are many accounts, but the
best comes to us from Lynchburg, where
the Democratic statesman first saw the
light. He will be seventy-fve years of age
Just nine days after he is elected Vice
President next November, and was born
in venerable peaked-roof brick house
still standing on Harrison street in Lynch
burg. The family subsequently removed
to the heights across the river, in Am
herst county, which overlook the city, and
when in Lynchburg in 1874 Judge Thur
man drove over there to try and identify
the place. The house was gone, as also the
blacksmith's shop he remembered in his
youth, but he could still locate the ground
his home had occupied. Mr.. Thurman's
father was Methodist preacher of Eden
ton, N. g., who there married Mary Gran
berry Allen in 1911, an older sister of Will
liam Allen, saddler. MIR. Thurman after
his marriage had charge in Raleigh, N.
c., but afterwards went to Lynchburg
and engaged in merchan lise. He failed in
1919. when young Thurman was six years
old, and went.to Chillicothe, Ohio. II was
not so very long before William Allen, the
young saddler, also left Edenton and went
to Lynchburg, where he worked as jour-
neyman OF the saddler's horse, and where
venerable citizen of StauntOn, still living,
worked in the same shop opposite to him.
All this time, besides working at saddles,
Allen was studying law, and after a
time left Lynchburg and followed his sis
ter to Chillicothe. There he took his
nephew. young Thurman. into his law office
with him. Allen was Sunday School
scholar at the Methodist church in Lynch
burg of Rev., afterwards Bishop Early.
William Allen became Governor of Ohio
and u. S. Senator from that State. He was
a man of tremendous size and powerful
voice and was devout believer in Demo-
cracy. faith he inculcated undiminished
in his nephew. To this generation he Is
best known as "Old Bill Allen" the an
Gent Democrat who, in 1882, we think, at
the advanced age of seventy five years, sud-
denly "kicked the lid off the Democratic
coffin'' in Ohio, turned the State upside
down, aud was elected Governor. Judge
Thurman has always had warm spot in
his heart for his native Stats and in 1874
came to visit an agricultural fair at his
J Old home. On that occasion medal was
presented to the Lynchburg Horse Guard
by Gen. Jubal A. Early and received for
them by John W. Daniel. In response to
calls, Senator Thurman said few words
to the Horse Guards. and these among
| them:
| What is past, is past, and our vision is ever
| turned to future that all hope may bear in
its bosom peace, prosperity and happiness.
| But should our common country, the Repub-
| lie. ever need your services in the field
doubt not that you will display the same valor
and skill that have earned for your country
so distinguished name. and that you will
transmit your reputation for courage and adj
dress to those who are to come after you.
Judge Thurman's political career in
| Ohio commenced in 1916, when he was
elected to congress. Five years later he
was chosen one of the five Judges of the
Supreme Court. In 1868 he was elected
u. s. Senator and again in 1874. He was
appointed member of the Presidential
Electoral Commission in 1876, but refused
| to take it until he was assured that Mr.
Tilden desired it. During the civil wal
he was Union Democrat and took nj
part in public life. Heisa "Jacksonian,
hard money, silver Democrat, and was ap
pointed by President Garfield on the In
ternational Metallic Conference. He is
fine MATHEMATICIAN, familiar with the elias
sizes, and a linguist who commands severa
languages. He is full Of genial humor
and we don't know that we can give bet
ter illustration of it than by giving hi
speech to the newspaper correspondent
who called at Columbus Saturday to pa.
their respects to him, on their way from
the st. Louis Convention. Of cours
there were men of different politics among
them. The correspondents through thei
spokesman, congratulated him on havini
received the nomination, and he replied {:
All have got to say, after thanking
you for the honor done by this call, is that
you want to do me real service it will be t
just write speech for me, Qaughter), an
put it as coming from me and be sure to pu
in here and there Great applause laugh
ter.) Also speak well of 'stalwart health
Oaughter) Say that you do not know an.
man except Mr.. Sullivan, of Boston, that cal
bear comparison with me in that respect
Do all this up in your best style, you know
how better than I do, and you will pay grea
compliment to the old man, as they call him
young man as he is, of course daughter ant
applause), and oblige me immensely. l thanl
you gentlemen once more for the homer yol
have done me by this call and hope you will
have pleasant ride home.
The most pronounced low tariff Democrat
in the House are sorely put out at the platform
adopted by the st. Louis convention and ar