Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-07-14

FADED man was a leader in the nation
speaker and car" OF the national house
OF representatives, ruling that turbulent
body with a gavel that in his hand was as
rod Of iron. For twenty years he had
been one OF its most popular members, as
| well as most potent. Then he had been
called to the speakership; and then. at the
summit Of power. when his word made
and unmade laws and policies and men.
when the nod of his head or the beck OF
his hand was as the sway Of ruler's
scepter he fell.
David Bremner Henderson is today one Of
the wrecks on the shore OF the ocean OF
politics The current that cast him ashore
has swept on, and he has already been
forgotten. His is one of the most solemn
tragedies of American politics in the last
generation. Three years ago there were
tens of thousands Of people who regretted
that the accident Of birth in Scotland made
him ineligible for consideration as a presi-
dental possibility. Today he is struggling
against failing health, lost to the great
activities to which he was so long and 80
large part, and even the memory Of them
fading out of his mind.
David b. Henderson probably could not
under any circumstances have made good
claim to eminence for statesmanly quail
ties. He was rather the finished politician
than the statesman. But he represented as
no other of his generation the type Of pub
lie man that came with the close of the
civil war. He was a gallant soldier. win
ing his way to command Of a regiment
He became a lawyer and politician. He
was the very prince of good fellows, and
good fellowship was both the making and
the unmaking of him. 1t made him legis-
lator, congressman, speaker, bon vivant
and the friend of every man, Of whatever
party, in national public life.
AS speaker Of the house General Hen
derson's views of public questions naturally
were of immense concern to the country.
He was determined in his opposition to in
terfere with the tariff. In Iowa, and espe-
cially in his home district there was a
rising tide of insistence on tariff modifica-
ton The immovable determination Of the
speaker clashed with the irresistible force
of home sentiment. Constituents petitioned,
and their petitions were ignored. The once
genial and kindly Henderson had been
spoiled by power. his friends said, Not only
did he snub his constituents, but he got
into the habit of writing letters, lectur-
ing them, in no mild tone, for their pre-
like to be scolded by the man for whom he
votes.
Relations between the speaker and his
constituency became more and more
strained. The country at large knew moth
ing of it. Henderson was supposed still
to be the idol Of the district that for two
decades had regularly returned him. He
himself sadly failed to understand the ex-
tent Of the forces of disaffection. County
after county was organized against him.
When It was too late he learned the truth.
The speaker of the house, the ruler Of
the commons. must either reverse himself
before the whole country or be forced to
go back home and make a hand-to-hand
fight for his denomination.
1t was not in the sturdy Scotch makeup
OF Dave Henderson to do either. He came
back home and looked over the district.
He learned that his enemies, or some of
them at least. were preparing to make a
bitter assault on his private life and per-
sonaI character. The revelation came with
crushing force and suddenness. He went
back TO Washington. and from there sent
to his constituency a bitter telegram de-
claring that he would not stand for re-
nomination. He would give up his seat
in congress and his assured reelection as
speaker rather than give in
1t was a national sensation. All kinds
of explanations were offered None OF
them told the whole truth; none has ever
been printed that told the whole facts.
Probably none ever will be.
The speaker retired from public life, and
the country outgrew its wonder. He went
to New York and capitalized his political
power into partnership in great law
firm. But he did not succeed. He was
too old to recover from such a blow as
had been dealt. They move too fast for
me-" he said regretfully to friend from
home. I'm too old to catch step with
this procession. I'm afraid it'll run over
me-"
He spoke both literally and figuratively,
for vicious old wound, the result OF
having leg shot of in the war, had again
broken out and was giving him constant
trouble. So he returned 10 Dubuque, to his
old friends and scenes, intent on settling
down TO practice law once more as a
member OF the old Dubuque firm Of which
his name had stood at the head during
all his years Of congressional service.
But It was too late. His health had
broken and his interest in things could aot
be brought back. Last fall he went, with
his wife and daughter, 10 California to
spend the winter Although he is only CO
years old, his magnificent constitution was
broken down He returned home no
stronger-not so strong. his friends say
The brightness had gone from his eye; the
firm, commanding tone from his voice; the
aggressiveness from his manner. His wife
and daughter are his constant companions
and attendants. one day is like another
The little news Of the outside world and its
great activities which filters in to him in
terests him little.
I'VE must leave 1t TO the boys down in
Washington" he said when effort was
made TO get his views on public issues. Il
guess in the end they'll do about what Is
right" This was as much as he cared to
say about public questions. Even his in
terest in the great things that had once
been as the breath OF life to him was gone,
II is a pathetic ending 70 a career that at
its highest point-only three years ago
brought this man within sight of the most
exalted rewards that American public men
can earn.