Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-13
ALhEH a rnrRMAN.

ALT,EN a. THURMAN.
4 prominent figure and commanding
force in American political life during
the greater part Of the last fifty years
has passed awry. Allen g.. Thurman
was one Of the most distinguished Of
democratic statesmen and few men have
cXcrtcd n greater influence upon the
party than he did or have enjoyed In 80
large a measure its confidence and CS-
tcem These he commanded by his in
tcgrity of purpose not less than by his
great ability. both of which were as
fully recognized by his political op-
poncnts as by his political friends. In
all his political career. willie 1t was not
free from errors and mistakes, none
ever seriously questioned the honesty of
his motives and aims and his eminent
ability was universally recognized. EX-
Senator Edmunds, who was contcm-
porary with Mr.. Thurman in the SEN
ate and between whom there was n most
cordial friendship recently said that
Thurnnn'S most noticeable character
istic was his command of pure, strong
said Mr.. Edmunds, "nevcr mincng mat
ters. but calling things by what he con-
sidered their right names. He was
brave i'm his convictions. and was al
ways working for what he thought to
be the good of his country and not for
hire. Although | did not agree with
him upon political matters | could not
I.,1,, N. l,,, 4,
What he did was done because he con
sidcrcd 1t right" This tribute from an
other OF the countrys most distin-
guishcd men was fully merited. 1t was
such traits as Mr.. Edmunds describes
that gave Mr.. Thurman the title of "The
no little pride.
Mr.. Thurman entered public life as Il
member of the Twenty ninth congress.
in 1873. but he served only one term,
declining II denomination. subsequently
elected to the supreme court of Ohio, of
which he became chief justice. he made
II high reputation as Il iurist. and ur-
doubtedly the country has had few
greater lawyers. He served two terms
in the United States senate. from 1869 to
1881. and it was in that arena that he
achieved national fame and recognition
as one of the foremost and ablest of
democratic leaders. He was president
pro tenn of the senate in the Forty sixth
congress and was one of the senate
members of the electoral commission of
1877. He was heard on every important
question that came before that body,
but the only act of legislation with
which his name Is identified is that to
obligations to the government. Mr..
Thurman never declared himself an as
pirant for the presidency, but he re-
ceived votes for the nomination in the
conventions of 1876. 1880 and 1884, and
in 1888 was nominated by acclamatiOn
for vice president. Perhaps the most
serious mistake of his political career,
at any rate so regarded ut the time, was
his espousal of the greenback cause in
1873, but the political friends he lost did
not leave him because of any doubt in
his sincerity.
For the past seven years Mr.. Thurman
had been in political retirement, much
of the time in feeble health, but he al
ways maintained his strong hold upon
the affections of the democracy of Ohio.
of which for third of century or
longer he was the most distinguished
leader. His name will have Il secure
and an honorable place in the political
history of his state and his country.