ing his own way in the
world, gathering knowledge by the wayside. He labored for several
years at his trade as a mechanic, but, prompted by a restless thirst
for knowledge, studied law, and for several years practiced the
legal profession. In due time he became a judge and served as such
for ten years, so that when he entered public life as a Member of
the House he was a trained lawyer, with strong convictions upon
economic questions, and bold and earnest on all the stern issues
of the Civil War.

The creed to which he devoted himself consisted of but three
articles: That the Union must be preserved at all hazards, that
the national government should exercise its exclusive power to
provide money for the people of the United States, and that the
laborer of our country should be protected in his industry from
undue competition. To the establishment of each of these theories
as the public policy of the country he contributed his full measure
of effort and success. By instinct he was opposed to slavery.
All his early struggles and his innate perceptions of the rights
of man made him an enemy to all forms of oppression. Still, he
would have respected the right of each state to deal with this
question, but when it became manifest that slavery was the real
cause of the attempt at secession, he was among the first and
foremost to demand that it should be abolished. But especially as
the recognized leader in the support of protection to American
industry he exercised commanding influence and authority.

Whatever opinions might be honestly entertained by others as to
the nature and extent of this protection, Judge Kelley had no doubt,
but impartially and freely extended it to every industry, without
regard to its nature, or the section in which it was pursued. On
all economic questions he had accurate knowledge of details. His
patient industry enabled him to master every shade and side of such
a question, and especially so as to the policy of protection by
discriminating duties. On other matters he was a follower, but in
this always a leader. His writings and speeches upon this and
kindred questions constitute a storehouse of information, and
furnish the best evidence of his industry and ability.

From the time he entered public life until the hour of his death
he commanded the full confidence of his people. No fluctuation of
opinion, no personal rivalries, no contests for patronage or office,
could weaken their