Thomas A. Hendricks as a Lawyer. lute directness with which every movement in his conduct of the debate was governed, that no superfluous word was used, none taken for ornament, but always for effect, we must, at least in our profession, consider these traits that I have ascribed to the foren sic eloquence of Mr. Hendricks worthy of admiration." "His speech ran flexible as the brook," said W. D. Owen of Indiana. "His uttered thoughts took the form of such chaste sim plicity you did not realize their vigor. He was ornate only on requirement. His figures of speech were emphasis, and his illustrations arguments. . . . His logic was instinct with power, and moved in ever-augmenting procession." There are few orators but what might not be proud of this quotation, taken from an address he delivered before a millers' con vention that met in Indianapolis in May, 1878. "As a boy I was acquainted with the miller, and I thought him a great man. When he raised the gate with such composure and con fidence, and the tumbling waters drove the machinery ahead, I admired his power. And then he talked strongly upon all questions. He was very positive upon politics, religion, law and mechanics. Any one bold enough to dispute a point was very likely to have a per sonal argument thrown in his face, for he knew all the gossip among his customers. He was cheerful. I thought it was because he was always in the music of the running waters and the whirling wheels. He was kind and clever, indeed, so much so that he would promise the grists before they could be ready, and so the boys had to go two or three times. He was a chancellor and prescribed the law, every one in his turn. That miller, standing in the door of his mill, all white with dust, is a picture even upon the memorv of this generation. It is the picture of a manly figure. I wonder if you gentlemen, the lords of many runs and bolts, arc
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ashamed to own him as your predecessor. It was a small mill, sometimes upon a willowy brook and sometimes upon a larger stream, but it stood upon- the advance line of the settlements. With its one wheel to grind Indian corn and one for wheat, and in the fall and winter season one day in the week set apart for grinding buckwheat, it did the work for the neighborhood. "Plain and unpretentious as compared with your stately structures, yet I would not say it contributed less toward the development of the country and the permanent establishment of society. So great a favorite was it, and so important to the public welfare, that the authorities in that day invoked the highest power of the State, that of eminent domain. That mill and miller had to go before you and yours, and I am happy to revive the memory of the miller, who, with equal care, adjusted the sack upon the horse for the boy to ride on, and his logic in support of his theory in politics or his dogma in religion." In the trial of a case, Mr. Hendricks trust.ed only to chance when he was compelled to do so. In this respect he and Mr. Harrison .were very much alike. It was always said of the latter that before coming into court he cross-examined his own client and his wit nesses. Mr. Hendricks usually did about the same thing, but in such a manner they scarcely or ever realized it. He studied a case in all its details; and was seldom thrown off his guard by a surprise. Xot only was he a close observer of the facts of his case, but he was a diligent stu dent of the whims and notions that prompt and move men and how to reach and hold their attention. An anecdote will probably illustrate this better than anything the writer can say. "Do you pronounce the word 'e-i-t-h-e-r' 'ecther' or 'eyther'?" said an acquaintance to him. "That depends where I use the word," said he. "If I am addressing a college-bred audience, or perhaps speaking at a political
