The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-09-10

relations to the eminent man, the object of
this imposing commemoration.
The relations, political and social which
had existed between himself and their de-
ceased friend, had been of a character, of
which the sympathes of the occasion, had
almost disqualified him to speak They had
commenced, at the first moment of Mr..
Wright's entrance upon public life, and CON
iinucd without the shadow of an intcrrup.on.
throughout his brilliant and evcnlful career.
During this long intimacy. embracing a quar-
ter Of a century, they had taken active parts,
and assumed responsibilities, Jointly as well
ms separately, in the support of. and opposi-
ton to, public measures Of, perhaps, as grave
and interesting a character as any which
can occur in the management of public a(-
fairs. lie felt assured that no relations in
life, or other circumstances. could have in
creased the force or added to the sincerity
of the private friendship and reciprocal CON
hdence in regard to public affairs, that cx-
listed between them. Mr.. Van Buren, could
say, with perfect truth, that he had never,
during the period referred 90 taken part in
ar important public question, in respect to
which his deceased friend, if an opportunity
10 do so was presented. had not been made
as conversant with his (Mr. V. B.'s) views,
his hopes and his fears, as he was himself
How iai' hiuilv and sincerely this confidence
had been reciprocated, he had the satisiac-
\tion 10 know, from thousand evidences. Of
which he would cherish grateful recolec-
lion Throughout the remnant OF his life
1t had been his fortune, he said, in the
eourse Of his public life, TO become acquain-
fed with most Of the eminent statesmen of
his day. The best opportunities had been
afforded him, to form judgment of their
character and capacities. With such means
for the formation of an estimate, and speak,
ing for himself only, he had no hesitation in
saying, that he had never known public
man of purer heart. sounder head, or a
moro dlsirtereslcd spiri. than was possessed
10y Mr. Wright. OF the eminent public
men who had hcen lost TO their country
there had not, in his opinion, been one who
had. at so carly a period Of lis life, won such
enduring honors in her civil service. lie
would add, as,, in justice to the memory of
one, whom it had been the pride-he might
say, the glory of his lic-to rank among the
nearest and dearest Of his friends. his
20 nvction that. in one respect, at least,
he cxcclled all his contemporaries. lie al
ludcd, he said, to the spirit with which he
yielded himself, body and soul, to the public
service, without passing thought of the eff
feet upon himself which might flow from his
public acts.
Upon the character of his friendship, Mr..
Van Buren, dared not allow himself to dwell.
But he must say that nc public man had ev-
err possessed n truer or better or a more
disintercsted friend than he had in Mr..
Wright History did not, he said, afford
stronger instances of the force and stability
of private friendship, than Mr.. Wright had
exhibited in relation to himself lie had not
only been induced, by this devoted feeling.
to decline the nomination Of Vice Presiden.
of the United States, referred to by General
W col, but also to refuse pcremplorily to al
low himself to be nominated for the Presi-
dency itself; which was, in effect the de-
CLEMSON of these high stations, as the result
of the election demonstrated To feelings
OF kindred character was also TO be traced
his refusal 10 accept the office of Judge of the
Supreme Court of the United Sta'cs, which
was offered 10 him by Mr.. Tyler. and was
the place, which il would have been more
agreeable 10 him 10 occupy Than any other
in the eiit oil the Government or the people
To place this persevering self-denial on the
part Of Nlr. Wright in the light in which it
deserves to be viewed, II should be added,
that it was in opposition 10 the declared and
well understood wishes of Mr.. Van Buren,
himself
Mr.. Van Burcn concluded with an OK
preston of the satisfaction lie derived from
this impressive and enduring demonstration
of the gratitude and respect of the people,
for the character and public services of his
illusrous friend.