The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-09-11

triumph of democratic principles.
Ii is not for us to assume that the
long and varied life Of Mr.. Wright pre-
sents no single instance Of error. 1t is
not given to man to be thus infaIible.
We leave to those better informed than
we are, to pronounce upon all the de-
tails of his administration as governor
of the State Of New York. 1t is
enough for US to know that in that po-
sition he did not hesitate to leopard his
reelection rather than finch one jot
from the due maintenance of the law,
even before widespread agitation,
which, in the nature Of the causes out
of which it grew, must, in some re-
spects, have appealed strongly to his
sympathies. Nor do we conceal our
dissent from some of the doctrines ou
one prominent topic in our national
politics, in favor of which the great au-
thority of Mr.. Wright's name has (as
we suppose from insufficient evidence)
been, of late, sometimes invoked. ltis
enough for US now to know, and 10 re-
member, with pride and gratitude, that
in the great measures and principles Of
his public career, the patriotism Of Mr..
Wright knew no sectional limits, and
that in our national councils his mind
and heart were alike open TO compre-
hend and TO feel all that belonged to the
rights, the interests, and the honor OF
every part of our Union.
All who knew Mr.. Wright agree that
his powers Of mind were of the highest
order. Yet he persuaded and prevail
ed as much by the noble moderation of
his spirit as by the vigor and compre-
sivensss ofhis understanding. He car
ried into public affairs the best charac-
teristics Of private life. In the memo.
rable session Of the twenty.seventh
Congress he fought with matchless
power the great battle of the people
against privilege, and came out of the
contest without having made an enemy.
Though, in the death of Mr.. Wright,
the democracy Of the country must feel
that it has lost one OF its most power
ful champions, yet the loss Of influence
upon the character Of politics, and po.
litical aspirants among US, will be yet
more severely felt. One Of the brightest
examples Of political virtue no longer
shines before mems eyes. 1t can be
seen now only in the diminishing glass
of remembrance. Other men may,
perhaps, be found among US TO serve as
faithfully, and to plead as eloquently,
the cause of the people, as did he whom
we have lost. But it will be long be-
fore a similar combination of circum-
stances shall unite with the most splcn-
did powers Of intellect, and the highes,
elements Of public character, to form
career at once so instructive, so i'm
pressive, and so encouraging as that
which has now closed in the grave oil
Silas Wright. ~
Gifted with talents Of the highest Or
der-blessed with heart of the finest
mould-with principles Of the true de-
mocratic stamp, adapted 10 the free
people among whom his lot was cast;
and, with manners destitute of all affcc-
tation, OF all the airs and arrogance OF
office, but recommended by all the SIM
plicity and all the amiableness which
distinguished those ofJeferson, of Mad
son, of Marshall-Silas Wright was the
man to earn the respect and affections
OF his countrymen. He was truly the
man Of the people. Already many Of
his admiring countrymen were point
ing him out, and holding him up for the
highest Office in the republic. But
death has cut him off from all the splen.
dor and all the interests Of this world.
Yet, we must repeat, amid all his high
qualities, there was one which pre-
eminently deserves our notice and re.
spect. Considering his pretentions
and his qualifications, his distinguished
abilities, and his numerous services, he
was the last to claim, and the first to
decline, the Offices which were almost
L ,.~os ~. A. .J..x