Thomas Corwin, witty, delightful "Tom" Corwin, was born near Paris,
Kentucky, July 29, 1794. Before he was five years old, his father had
taken him into the wilds of Ohio, the Lebanon of today. "Tom" Corwin was
admitted to the bar, in 1818, after a slender education and a brief
reading of the law. His wit and eloquence made his reputation rapidly
and, in 1830, he found himself in the lower House of Congress. The whole
country laughed at his inimitable speeches; and that he had a strong
hold on the Ohio Whigs is certain as they returned him to the House for
ten years. In 1840 Corwin was elected governor of Ohio, after a
brilliant and successful state-wide campaign. He was incomparable on the
stump, and he rode into the gubernatorial chair on an overwhelming Whig
tide. Two years later, however, his former opponent, Wilson Shannon,
defeated him for reëlection. In 1844 Corwin was sent to the United
States Senate, in which body he renewed his House reputation as an
orator. On the eve of the Mexican War, he made his memorable anti-war
speech, which practically ruined his future political career, as the
country desired to fight the hated men on the border. But a more bravely
beautiful speech was never made. President Fillmore chose Corwin his
Secretary of the Treasury, in 1850. At the expiration of Fillmore's
term, Corwin returned to the practice of law at Lebanon, Ohio. In 1858
he reëntered public life, serving a term in Congress; and, in 1861,
President Lincoln appointed him minister to Mexico. Corwin remained in
Mexico until the coming of Maximilian, when he returned to Washington to
practice law. In the capital of the country he died, December 18, 1865.
"Tom" Corwin was one of the most captivating of American orators, and
most lovable of men.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. _Life and Speeches of Thomas Corwin_, by Isaac
Strohn (Dayton, Ohio, 1859); _The Library of Oratory_ (New York,
1902, v. vi).