The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-24
Anscdote OF silas Wright.

lDANisL WEBsTER5 L@eHe 70 Me C"i0" 4ueetsHS
at Westchester.
Anecdote Of Silas Wright.
The following incident in the career of the
late SILAs WRIGHT places his personal fidelity
to Mr.. VAN buren, in striking contrast with
that gcntleman's subsequent in6delity to the
Democratic party. We extract the anecdote
from an editorial article in the Union of yes
terday:
when it became evident, in 1874, that the views
entertained by Mr. Van Buren, on the subject of the
annexation of Texas had dissatisfied portion OF
the Democratic party, aud that the convention then
assembling at Baltimore would make the support
of that measure the condition of their nomination,
we were one of the delegates, perhaps the first,
who mentioned the subject to Mr.. Wright, who
had not committed himself as Mr.. Van Buren,
had. Prompted both by feelings of friendship to
the latter. and duty to the Democratic cause, it
was our wish on that occasion to harmonic as far
possible the private and the public relations which
were necessarily in danger of some conflict from
such a movement. Under these circumstances
we unbosomed ourselves to Mr.. Wright, and stated
our conviction that, If that movement were made he
himself was the individual who would best unite
the Democratic party; and we presented frankly
all the considerations which satisfied u.s. and ought
to satisfy him, that both his friendship to Mr.. Van
Buren, and his duty to his party and his country
should interpose serious obstacle 70 q nomina-
ton, if it should be made, as anticipated. His
ply was, Mono earthly motive could induce him
to occupy position in which he might be suspect
ed of treAchery to friend. Although no did not
object to the annexation of Texas, yet he could
not regard it q sufficient reason for his instru.
mentality in superseding man who had, in all
other respects, represented faithfully Democratic
interests, and had perlled his reputation all the
great issues which the Wings had made with that
party. He loved his party and his country; but on
this occasion his conscience told him that his integ
rity as a man would be tested, rather than his
ability to serve either party or country. Whilst
he would, therefore, support the nomination of an
other than himself when made in good faith by the
convention, il was impossible that he would be the
nominee himself.
1--WE had watched Mr.. Wright on many trying
occasions during the administrations Of General
jackson and Mr.. Van Buren,, and had often wit
messed his great powers A. speaker and a writer,
but nothing had ever occurred which impressed US
sensibly the incident related with the pecu-
liar traits of character which made him one of the
purest well as greatest men of his day. An cx-
ample of such self denial, and such scrupulous
fidelity to friend is rare in the history Of the poll
tician; but combined with the numerous memo
rails he has left behind of his forecast and patriot
ism, and of his original and powerful logic de-
batter and writer ii gives to his general character
a charm which the greatest of his survivors upon
the stage of action may envy"
In the incident above mentioned is recorded
a favorable trait of Mr.. WRIGHT; and vet we
can in no wise agree with the differences which
are drawn from it. We regard Mr.. WRIGHT
as the evil genius Of Mr.. VAN BUREN's admin
most able, and the most unprin
cpled of its leaders-the most unsound and
unsafe Of its statesmen--a subtle casuist, sly
jesuit, a crafty, insinuating, ambitious, and
aspiring politician.
He was, during his whole public career, the |
most bitter and INSCRIPTIONS enemy to the pro-
grees Of New York, relentlessly sacrificing the |
interests, the prosperity, and the prospects of
his State to the struggle for the retention Of
political power in the hands Of his own adhe-
rents. II was he who first struck fatal blow
at her system of internal Improvements, in his
celebrated anti-improvement report; and this,
too, from the most narrow, short sighted, and
profigate party policy.
In the Senate of the United States Mr.
WRIcHr pursued the same policy which had
marked his earlier political career. First the
advocate of the pet-bank system-staking his
reputation, his hopes, and his veracity on the
success of the xperiment-prophecyin the
most brilliant corresponding the people
better currency and cheaper exchanges-eulo-
gizing the safety-fund system as the best, the
wisest, and the most secure ever devised by
the ingenuity Of man-vouchng for the SOL |
vency, the patriotism, and the pure business
character of the banking institutions of New
York, and asserting on his own personal know
edge that they had nothing under heaven to do
with politics-he identified himself thoroughly
with the first odious experiment of Gen. JACK
SON. When the experiment exploded, and its au-
hors were covered with ridicule and contempt,
MIR. WRIGHT changed his position. Then he saw |
neither safety, nor honesty, nor patriotism in
the banks They were all political machines.
They could never furnish safe or sound cur |
rency. All corporations were congregations of
TO plumber and defraud the commu-
nifty. He would have nothing to do with heart
ess corporations-with souless corporations.
They were monsters of iniquity. lie would
eform them altogether--destroy the whole
ystem, and transact every manner Of business
Trough the medium of individual agents."
This was the basis Of his "new expedient."
But the people placed no confidence in the