ΤΟ

THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA,

WHOM HE SERVED WITH FIDELITY AND AFFECTION,

AND WHO HAVE

IN HIS CHARACTER AND FAME

A DELIGHTFUL MEMORY AND AN INSPIRING LESSON,

THIS LIFE OF

Thomas A. Hendricks

IS DEDICATED.

M199484

PREFACE.

THIS Volume does not claim to give the verdict of history upon the career of Thomas A. Hendricks. The events of which he was a part are still so recent, the controversies in which he debated are so lately settled, where settled at all, that the final estimate of the public man can not yet be made. When time shall have further softened party prejudices, and passed judgment upon the questions that have for three decades divided opinion among us, that estimate may be written. There is no fear but it will be high.

There is, however, an important service which a work like this can render. It can give to the present generation the evidence upon which the final verdict must be framed, and preserve for future use material that would otherwise perish with the lapse of time. This care should The high part he

be taken of the fame of a great man. played in the history of this nation, the love of party friends and respect of party foes, foes, prove Hendricks great,

and deserving of such care.

A man's character, opinions, and deeds are the result of the disposition with which he is born, influenced by the circumstances in which he is placed-the interaction be

tween the man and the world. For an adequate understanding of his life and work, his ancestry and origin must be explored, to weigh the inheritance of family traits; his theater of action must be surveyed, to measure the influence of persons and events.

An effort has, therefore, been made to describe the Hendrickses of the early day, the strong characteristics of the family and of its prominent members; and, in examining their distinguished contribution to the building of Indiana, to consider at the same time the condition of the young State, in its political, educational, and social aspects. Thus are traced the influences which formed the most eminent man of the family and of the State. In Indiana he grew to maturity of body and mind, and there he was trained for his part on the stage of national history.

Entering upon that wider stage at a time when questions of unparalleled gravity were forcing themselves forward for solution, his career as a national statesman extended through the most momentous period in the life of the Republic. Throughout that season of trial he studied to understand the true interests of the whole country, and strove with his might to promote those interests as he understood them. As a member of the majority, his care was given to the development and civil organization of the public domain; in the thankless part of leader of the opposition, his unvarying aim was to strengthen the Administration with all the people, by rendering its measures acceptable to the powerful minority he represented; and finally when war was over, his efforts were directed to conciliation, the lightening of burdens, and the restoration of prosperity.

A strictly independent view of the controversies which led to war, and of the positions of parties during the period of insurrection and reconstruction, is presented in the following pages, with the constant endeavor to deal fairly with men and measures. The attitude of Hendricks as Representative, Party Leader, and Senator is given clearly, but not in a spirit of vindication; for where fidelity to country and honesty of purpose are manifest, there is nothing to vindicate-"the simplicity of truth is fame." Subsequent events, from whose sentence there is no appeal, have shown the wisdom of his views on most of the questions once fiercely disputed; and, where mistakes must be admitted, the sincerity and fearlessness and skill with which he maintained his opinions still command admiration. Every honest soul loves "an open and sturdy partisanship."

Finally, as affording the best insight into his mind and the sources of his power, a selection from his speeches and writings is given. The instrument of the statesman, the means by which he attains his ends, is speech. As a speaker Hendricks was singularly able. Clearness, force, grace were the qualities of his style; persuasiveness was the characteristic of his utterance. Many of his efforts were addressed to questions of great public interest, and possess a high historic value; others dealt with questions that may again be brought up for review, and should therefore be preserved for future reference. Of both these kinds, some of the most important specimens are reproduced. Of minor importance, but interesting as illustrations of his modes of thought and literary style,