Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1885 — HONORING HENDRICKS! [ARTICLE]

HONORING HENDRICKS!

Some references in the following explains to some extent the attitude of Mr. Hendricks and the Democracy during the war. ‘ That denounced at the time by fanatics as “factious opposition” and disloyalty, is now admitted to have been “conservatism or common sense politics,” and our Hendricks’ and Buckalews, are to-day given credit for their devotion and loyalty to the Constitution, and for their efforts and ability in “allaying animosities, in overcoming sectional hatred, and so framing the work of legislation as to welcome the return of peace —that peace which new blesses a restored Uhion.” At the m eeting in St. Louis Gen. Henderson said: Mr. Hendricks, whose death is now so universally deplored, occupied for many years an important position in American politics. As early as 1848 he was an active, energetic and useful member of the Indiana Legislat re. Two years thereafter he assisted prominent r in the f nr. tion of the Const';n iion of that Stare, under v/cich !th grown to be one of the greatest of the Western States. In 1851 he

entered the lower branch of Congress, where he remained till 1855. giving promise of future usefulness by that intelligent and conscientious examination of public questions that marked his subsequent career. In the latter year he was selected by President Pierce as one fitted by legal learning and integrity of character to administer the affairs of the General Land Office at Washington. So distinguished was his service in this important bureau that he va ; continued by Mr. Luch n n’s administration till 2869, when he resigned it and returned home to practice his profession. During these years Mr. Hendricks has acquired the reputation of a good lawyer, tn able debater, a. conscientious official and an active, sincere Democrat of the Jacksonian school. In LSf>3 lie was elected a Senator roiii Indiana fora full term and served tiil March 4, 1869. It was during this period that he came most prominently before the Ameri- n peopK He was then in the uh vig« r of manhood, possessing 1 1 rg : e ;perienceo? public affairs, a mind s.orel with useful information; a buoyant, cheerful disposition, and a manner so kind as to attract friends w herever he w.'S personally known. At tl.e same + ime there appeared i i the Senate from the State of Pennsylvania, a man of the same gen leness of manner, more retiring and difl de it perhaps than Mr. dendric cp, but possessed of equal powers as an orator and skilled debater I allud to Charles R. Buckalew, who, I am glad to know, is sill living. During this period (from 1858 ol86f) there were but ...w jl omoerats in the Senate. They n tituted as< »rt of forlorn hope, exciting at times the pity and then t ■ mu,.- pof the overgrown Minority, against whose favorite measures they often presented the most formidable objections.

This small band of Democrats naked to Messrs. Hendricks and Buckalew as their leaders. They were ready parliamentarians, good constitutional lawers, ready in debate and quick to grasp the re 1 points at issue. In addition to these elements of leadership they were men of genial manners and of uud< übte l honesty of purpose.— They both enjoyed the highest social positions, so high that slande* was abashed in their presence. * fter the war closed the period of reconstruction came—a period scare- ly less exciting and dangerous than the war itself. Go l grant that my eyes, at least, may not again behold either civil war or reconstruction in this country. it wa during this period that I learned something of the virtues of what is termed conservatism or common sense in politics; and I also learned that though ’ rudence and moderation may sometime s save a nation, they who attempt to stem the tide of fanatacism end preju li e usually share the fate of those luckless swimmers who rashly oppose their bodies to the ocean’s billows. If they are ever again seea it is only when the billows have retire 1 and the calm returns. My political associations were not with these tneing and yet I iecagize the i,n; o tint services they rendered to their country. They stood as a 1 an ier agair c, t the mo e dangerous h ere no s o-. 1 egisl it ion When it v as proposed oy some to confiscate the properly of rebels and territorialize the sec Med So*th these men pointe l to tin | 3onstitutionjand re aalled the fratm n'ty and friendship of our early history.— They assisted in|allayin j animosities, in overcomin ; sectional hatred, and so framing the work of legislation as to welcome the return of peace—that, peace which now blesses a restored Union. We who differed from them often became impatient and chafed under ! w hat we sometimes c msidered sac--1 tious opposition. But under all | circumstances they so bore themselves as to command the respect of their associates ancl the confidence of the country. Sul se uente rents demonstrated this face m an eminent degree in the sue joss of Mr. Hendricks. In 1872, while his State gave a large mejorily | s or General Grant .for Presiden . it elected Mr. Hendricks as Govtr ior of the Sta e. In this po sition|he added to his reputation as a statesman and fortified himself in the esteem and confidence of his party. In 1876 party expediency alone prevented his nomination to the Presidency in this city, and the same may be said of the action of

his party at Chicaga in 1884. A 1 though not r aching the highest place in official station, he certainly reached the highest place in the confidence and affections pf his party. It may be said that Mr. Hendricks was ambitious. If so it w r s because he was an earnest man!— He was, in my i elief, and I knew him well, a thoroughly conscientious man. He baliaved in his party as a Christian believes in his church. He‘worked for its success because he believed that his country’shvelfare depended on that success. We ma". have differed from him, but we all have learned to admit e his work as a public servant and to respect his virtues as a man. He was truly, in the language of the poet, the work of God —an honest man.”