The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-11
SOME LOCAL EXPRESSIONS.
Gen. Benja min HarrisOn's Estimate of
Ex-SeHatOr.

the Ex-senator.
The death of ex-senator Voorhees, caused
considerable surprise well regret
among his numerous friends in this city
who thought from recent reports that he
was recovering. There were numerous tes-
timonials to his character and public serv-
ices.
General Harrison was asked for an ex-
preston on the death of Senator Voorhees,
He said:
Il have heard of the death of Senator
voorhees, with great regret and with some
surprise, for whel L was in Washington
last Mr.. Spofford told me- in response TO an
inquiry to Mr.. Voorhees, health, that
1t was very much improved and that there
was a good prospect that he might have
some years of quiet but not inactive life
Mr.. Voorhees,. when not in the heat of po-
iltlcal controversy, was man OF remark
able kindness and generosity, and even the
stings OF controversy We're soon forgotten
He was always ready to serve his friends
and always judged their capacities and
characters favorably-often too favorably
Mr.. Garland once told me that Mr. Voor-
hees, when urging upon him the appoint
ment of young Indiana friend as assistant
attorney general, reached the climax of his
panegyric by saying, Garland. L tell you
he is the best lawyer / ever knew; to
which Mr.. Garland replied, We'll, that set
ties II MS case, voorhees,; for | am not going
is better lawyer than L am Many a
Republican has found in Mr.. Voorhees, a
action of his business with the government
He labored untiringy and beyond his
strength for all who appealed to him. 1t
must have been a great joy to him that he
lived to see the great national library COM
pleted, for as a member of the Joint COM
mittee on the library he gave himself from
the beginning with great enthusiasm to the
enterprise. he has maintained a long and
strong hold upon his party in Indiana and
has has participates "a in some Of the most stir
children will have the sympathy of all of
our people. He and had some rather
sharp contests, but our kindly personal re-
lationS were never broken"
John w. Kern recalled remark that was
made by Mr. voorhees, at one time when
he was called on TO say something in re-
gard TO the life of a noted man who had
just died. You may say everything YOU
can think of" said Mr.. Voorhees,, lin praise
of his devotion to his country. his party and
his friends and L will subscribe to it"
Those are my sentiments in regard TO Mr.
VOORHEES," said Mr.. Kern. "He was a man
who was always true to his friends and
true TO his country, doing whatNhe believed
TO be right, regardless Of adverse criticism.
what he believed to be right and as gentle
as a child when his sympathy was ap-
pealed to-"
Mr.. Kern has letter written April 20.
1894, by Mr. VOORHEES,. This was just after
the close of the memorable fight on the
tariff bill and while the financial bill was un-
der consideration in the Senate. Mr. Voor-
hees was being criticised right and left by
his enemies and by many of his friends for
A
time he said in letter TO Mr.. Kern: For
myself | can only say, simply and sincere
~, that / have done as near right as /
know how and as was possible here under
the circumstances. / care nothing about
returning TO the Senate, but i do care more
than do for life itself to retain the conf
dence and affection of the Democracy of our
great State, and the fact that in this hour
of trial and trouble you extend to me such
words OF greeting as are contained in your
letter is a compensation for all that may
happen
Governor Mount had the following to say:
II disagreed with him politically. of course,
but for his personality | have entertained
the greatest respect We may lament his
mistakes, viewed from partisan stand
point. but it is only fair and just to con-
cede TO him right purpose and that his
utterahces were determined by his heart
and conscience. The part he played IN pub
be judged by his record by those who may
prefer TO revive recollections of time in
our history when sectional strife es,
disorganiZed the Nation. His death will
produce a feeling of sorrow all over the
State. and 10 those who knew him best il
will come in the nature of personal loss.
1T is doubtful IL any other Indianian ever
had so firm a hold on the affections of his
followers. This resulted in part from the
imprisoned order of his oratory. He was
popular with the masses and devoted to his
friends. His personal character was low
bued with a thorough State pride and with
q genuine Democratic spirit. Ny own per-
sonal relations with Senator voorhees, were
entirely agreeable. and the news that his
long and distinguished career has closed
impresses me with feeling of sorrow and
sincere regret. ~
John II. Wilson said
Mr. VOORHEES, was irresistibly attractive:
never knew a man who so fascinated men
lin particular. young men, This quality
warmth OF feeling which of itself placed
him in high rank doubt whether In
diana ever produced a public man who
welded so great a power over the masses
OF the people. Men who differ In politics
and religion often entertain towards each