The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-09-03

us the true representative OF their feelings
and interests; first as legislator Of the
State. then as Comptrollcr,-as member of
the House of Rcprcscntaiives,--as Senator
of the United States, and lastly, as Govern
or of his adopted State.
As manager of the finances of New Yolk,
he displayed great ability. AT the head Of
the State government his frmncss was often
put TO the test, but ne never faltcrcd. A
philanihropist in feeling, he executed the
laws with impartial and incxorablc justice,
and restrained the impulses of mercy only
when duty demanded the sacrifice In ev-
cry station, whether public or private, he
maintained an in,orrupiiLc integrity and an
untarnished reputation.
AS statesman, he WAS profound, true to
his principles, wise in council, and ever n
bove the tricks of party. belonging TO the
Democratic party-during the Adminisra-
ton of Anlicw jackson he acted prom
inent and distinguished part; and in the
succeeding administration, if he was no, its
chief adviser he certainly cXcrtcd over il an
important influence. In the Senate of the
United States he was often called TO contend
with the master spirits Of the age. In these
contests he exhibited reasoning lowers Of
the highest oider, and his skill in debate was
conceded to he unrivalled In the most vi
olcnt paroxysnis of party strife. he preserved
his cquanimity and temper. lie never was
reused into anger, or betrayed into aspcritT
of language. However great the pro,oca1
zion, he never retoried by personalities. He
was bold ana energetic, yet courteous and
conciialing, and no less tolerant than Just TO
his opponents, whilst the latter, however
much opposed or wearicd in debate, always
listened 10 him with pleasure. He left no
sting in the memories Of .ho,e with whom
he commended, and in this Monument you
have the evidence cf the esteem with which
he was regarded by his advcrsaiics as well
as his friends, for eminent persons Of all par.
ties and Of every shade of political opinion
have mingled their offerings to erect it.
Silas Wright was a man without ostcntaton
or prctcnsion, and always the same whether
in the highest public stations or in none
lie was an ailcctonate and devoted husband
and stcadlast and enduring f lend These
qualities with his unsullcd purity in all the
relations Of private lie, and with bis mild
calm and social lcmcanor, gave charm tc
his character that never failed to command
admiration. and to exert an influence over
others which few possessed.
Discovering no faint Of avaricc, and ncv
er 1azzled by visions Of an exaggerated am
bition, be lived contentcd with his lot on hi.
narrow farm, which he frequently wrough
with his own hands. lie refused The nomi
nation for the Vice Presidency Of the Uni
ted States, when his election was almos
sure, and it required great persuasion to in
ducc him TO accept the Office Of Governor o
New York. Bnt whatever his ambition
might have been, ] can say, as the immoria
poet puts into the mouth of Antony. tina
He was my friend, faithful and just to me.
In common with the whole people, homo
the memory Of the patriot and statesman
but grevc from the very depths Of NJ,
Heart for the loss of not only my friend, bu
the friend of my country and OF the Union.
Such us | have briefly skrtchcd was the
character of the illustrious dead, whose nam,
and deeds We would commemorate. 1t is
character which presents 4 model that the
mature Of age may contemplate with profit
The young, if they would do honor 10 them
selves and their country, will not only stud,
it, bnt copyil for their guidance through life
Illustriohs indeed are those who can recoun
a life devoted to great and virtuous actions
"A mirror rejecting light and virtue for al
time 10 come.
! Fellow Citizens, the Monument erected
to the memory Of silas Wright, is finished
Its structure bcspeaks the allectionate anC
sincere feelings of its founders. It's no les:
an Offering to the illustrious dead than the
offspring of noble and generous hearts. L
will be as healing balm 10 the stricken
hearts Of relaivcsanl friends whilst it will
call for thcadniration, sympathy and graft
Jude Of every stranger who nay lass TIL:
consecrated spot.
Hon. MARTIN VAN buren, was al.c
present, and added his warm Testimonial tc
the many virtues and to the moral and in
tellectual superiority of the ilustrious dead
Mr.. WRGnr, he said, had been his bosom
friend for years and among all the public
men with whom he had been associated in
public life, he had never met purer, q
sounder, a huer, an ADLER man than he.
Mrs. WRIGHT, widow of the deceased,
was among the number who thus came to do
honor to the memory Of the distinguished
statesman, and to witness, with more thar q
strangers interest, the ceremonies of the
day.
A vote Of thanks was passed By unani-
nous and hearty reclamation 10 the orators
Of the occasion, for their eloquent and ap-
p!opriaie addresses ard to MIR JEwErr, for
his energy and perseverance in securing the
erection Of this tribute to the dead The
multitude then began to di,perse, and soon
the sacred structure was left standing quiet
and alone in its grandeur.
caSGov. FISH Of New York, positively
declines a denomination. The Wing NOmi-
| II atinr Cnnrnniinn is 10 LIZ lnll NJ Srrncnsn