The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-06-24


when almost every other prominent man
in the West, of both parties, made con-
cessions to it. He fearlessly attacked the
protective tariff when other democratic
leaders were paltering with it; when
some OF them were talking of Incidental
protection" or perchance giving wings
to the mischievous heresy that tariffs
raise wages. Mr. MCDONALD never made
any of these compromises of truth; he
never made any of these sacrifices
of principle HENRY CLAY would
rather be right than be president;
JOSEPH Z. MCDONALD, although he
cherished, as he had a right to,
right than to hold any Office on earth, high
or low; would rather have the approval of
his own conscience than any popularity or
any honors or dignities which could be
obtained by artifice or stratagem or equiv
ocation or trimming or any course that
was not simple and straightforward and
manly and upright and downright. Hence
it is that his public career. now that it is
finished, is so symmetrical, so well
rounded, so consistent.
Mr.. MCDONALD had served his state as
encouragement and in both houses of
congress. He was the democratic nominee
for governor OF Indiana in 1864, and for a
number of years was prominently before
the country in connection with the presi-
dency During his six years service in
the L. s. senate he made a profound
impression upon the country as a man of
broad craftsmanship, sound judgment
and patriotic principles. In that body he
took rank with the first, although among
his colleagues were such men as MORTON,
VOORHEES,, THURMAN, CoNKLING, EDMUNDs,
BAYARD, BECK and SHERMAN. Mr.. Nc
DONALD was at his entrance into the SEN
ate placed upon the judiciary committee,
which is always made up OF the ablest
lawyers in that body. His work upon
this committee was most important and
creditable. Mr. CoNKLING, who was a
member of this committee. said at
public banquet a short time before his
death that "JoE MCDONALD was the best
lawyer that he had ever come in contact
NttA oh0 AlO vac III bAlO cOiASAsO
as the peer OF any OF the great lawyers in
that body. Indeed, it was as a lawyer
rather than in politics that Mr.. MCDONALD
won his highest distinction. He unques-
tionably stood at the head OF his
profession in Indiana, having had, since
the death OF Nice-President HENDRIcKs,
no rival for the leadership of the bar OF
the state save Gen. HARRISON. His fame
as a lawyer was national; his practice be-
fore the supreme court was extensive, and
had connected him, for many years back,
with some of the most important htiga-
ton which reached that great tribunal.
He was q great lawyer, because he had an
eminently legal mind. His apprehension
Of fundamental legal principles was in
tuitive, and he rarely erred in his applica-
ton of them. His power OF cogent state
ment, already referred TO, was another
element of strength, but above all did the
respect and confidence which his simple,
manly character inspire in judges and
juries contribute TO his success in his
profession.
Mr.. MCDONALD will always be remem-
bered by Indiana and the country at large
as great lawyer, as a wise legislator, as
a patriotic statesman, as a sagacious party
leader, who always commanded, as
he always deserved, the conf
denCe OF his party, If he
did not always command its applause.
BY his family and his immediate associ-
ates in social and professional life he will
be remembered as one of the kindest, gen
tlest, tendereSt, most honorable OF men;
as the embodiment Of honor and as one
whose simplicity of nature and confidence
in the goodness OF his fellow men were
ever beautiful and inspiring; as a man,
who, in all the relations of life, was faith
full to every duty and obligation; VINO, to
high standard of personal conduct,
Joined the greatest liberation and charity
for others, go that he was ever ready to
put the most generous construction upon
the words and actions OF his fellow beings;
as a hater of all shams and hypocrisy and
deception and trickery. Being a man, of
course he had his faults; but il among
them were any grievous ones it
would certainly puzzle those who knew
him best to name them.
His life was gentle; aud the elements
80 mixed in nim that nature might siGndup
And say to all the world: This was man.
A Man OF Cow otions.
indianapolis News.
He was a man of heart and conscience.
Had he not been he could not have re-
ceived and kept the confidence and
friendship of many who were opposed TO
him politically in the fiercest strain this
people has been subjected to. He made
friends and kept them. He was cour-
ageous and followed bis conscience
When candidate for senator his party was
largely influenced by the soft money g
ment. but he ayowed the convictions of his
life IN no doubtful way and advocated
sound monetary principles, though urged
to keep silence. He felt that he must
speak, evenif he lost the coveted honor,
laN IL