The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-04

trict and the Democrats presented no can
didate. The Wings failed TO unite upon
candidate. and two leading members OF
the party. Caleb Il. Smith and Jonathan
McCarty, entered the field in opposition
The contest between these two gentlemen
became personal and bitter, aud ii was soon
seen they were dividing their party into
two nearly equal factions. The watchful
eye of Kennedy seeing this condition among
the Wings, he quietly began planning a
campaign for himself.
The congressional district. including
Union and Fayette counties on the south,
extended northward nearly or quite 10 the
State line. The greater portion of the popu-
lation was in the southern counties. in
Guiding the counties of Wayne Henry,
Randolph and Delaware. In these coun-
ties. also, the great body of the Wing
voters resided. The northern counties were
sparcely settled with a large preponder-
ance of Democrats. Kennedy's tactics
were what is known as the still hunt" He
concealed his intentions from all but few
confidential political friends in the south
ern counties permitting Smith and Nc
Carly to continue their personal fight I'M
suspicious of his plans until few days be-
fore the election. when he started TO the
northern part of the district 10 arouse the
Democrats there and bring them to the
polls. In all this he was entirely success
full. the Wing candidates defeated each
other, and Kennedy defeated each of them.
1t was thus that a Democrat secured his
election to Congress from the strongest
Wing district in the State. He was also
the only Democrat elected to Congress from
ranTu
given a new district and was twice after
wards elected, serving in all six years in
Congress.
When Kennedy entered Congress he at
once took rank among the leading members
of his party In the House During the
quarrel between President Tyler and the
Wings, Kennedy, although not only new
but also one Of the youngest members or
Congress, was selected by the general
voice of the Democrats to make the speech
inviting Tyler to join their party. 1t was
the highest possible compliment to his
capacity and his eloquence, and he dis
charged that duty with remarkable tact
and judgment and with entire success. This
speech gave Kennedy a national reputation;
Ii was everywhere admired and applauded
by his party friends. He was a natural
not trained orator; he knew no trick to
catch and hold the attention of an audience.
but he had a personal magnetism that was
wonderful, and an action completely fasci-
mating. His language was not always per-
feet, but his voice and manner obscured all
such imperfection. 1t il not possible in this
article to follow in detail his congressional
career or to fully portray the impression
his eloquepce made upon his fellow men,
bers and the country at large One in
stance must suffice. Among the members
of Congress at that time was ex-President
John Quincy Adams. 1.-The old man elo-
quent," whose learning, whose long ex-
perience and vast personal requirements
made. him the most competent Judge of
men then living. On one occasion, after
| listening with close attention to one of
| Kennedy's set speeches. Mr.. Adams turned
to a member and said: MIR. Kennedy is
the greatest natural orator In America"
Praise could not be higher nor from a
| higher source
The Legislature of Indiana at the session
Of 1S47-4s was Democratic and Kennedy was
the idol of the party. A United States
Senator was to be elected and Kennedy
was the almost unanimous choice. His
| election was certain. He went to Indian
| apolis early in December, to be present at
the election. A few days after his arrival
at the capital he was taken Ill with small
pox and died the last day OF December.
| 1s47, little more than thirty-seven years
Of age. To what height the power of his
genius might have carried him can never
be known. He had only reached the por-
tai Of tho temple Of fame; he had only
| prepared to ascend to it's topmost cham
bers when his young life, with all its
aspirations and its hopes. was stricken by
| the hand Of death.
ISAAC JENKINSoN.
| Richmond, Ind, Oct. l.