Recollections of Forty Years in the House, Senate and Cabinet: An Autobiography.Sherman, John
History
Recollections of Forty Years in the House, Senate and Cabinet: An Autobiography.
Sherman, John
Sherman, John, 1823-1900; Statesmen -- United States -- Biography; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century
Thomas Corwin was, by far, the most distinguished member of the
delegation. I have already referred to his eminence as a popular
orator. His speech against the Mexican War, though unfortunate as
a political event, has always been regarded as one of the most
eloquent ever made in either House of Congress. His speech in
reply to Crary, of Michigan, is still remembered as the best specimen
of humorous satire in our language. He had served in the legislature
of Ohio, as a Member of Congress for ten years, as Governor of
Ohio, as a Member of the Senate, and as Secretary of the Treasury.
After an absence from public life for six years, he was elected a
Member of the 36th Congress. Here he was regarded as the "peacemaker"
of the House. In the contest for speaker, he made a long speech,
in which he exhibited marked ability, humor, pathos and persuasive
eloquence. As chairman of the committee of thirty, he did all that
man could do to quiet the storm, to compromise and soothe the
contending factions, but this was beyond human power. He was re-
elected to the 37th Congress, but in 1861 was appointed minister
to Mexico by Mr. Lincoln. In December, 1865, he attended a party
of his Ohio friends, at which I was present. He was the center of
attraction, and, apparently, in good health and spirits. He was
telling amusing anecdotes of life in Ohio "in the olden times," to
the many friends who gathered around him, when, without warning,
he suffered a stroke of apoplexy and died within two or three days,
leaving behind him none but friends. Tom Corwin, "the wagon-boy,"
had traveled through all the gradations of life, and in every stage
was a kind friend, a loving father, a generous, noble and honest
man.
The life of George H. Pendleton was a striking contrast to that of
Corwin. He was a favorite of fortune. His father was a distinguished
lawyer and a Member of Congress. George had the advantage of a
good education and high social position, a courtly manner, a handsome
person and a good fortune. He served several terms in the House
of Representatives and six years in the Senate. He was the candidate
for Vice President on the Democratic ticket with McClellan, and a
prominent candidate for nomination as President in 1868. He was
minister to Germany during the first term of Cleveland as President.
He died November 24, 1889. My relations with him were always
pleasant.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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