The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-23
The late siIas Wright, of New York.

The late siIss Wright, of New York.
In our paper of the 18th instant we republished a
portion Of speech of the truly great man whose is
the head Of this article We too hurried at the
moment to give more than glance at that speech--n-
lending refer TO it again. do, for the pur-
pose Of calling to il the attention of the many of his old
friends, not only in New York. but in the whole Union,
vho have since pursued course 50 different from tina,
which he pursued during his Lifetime.
We feel peculiar pleasure in dwelling upon the name
Of Slas Wright There circumstances in our inter
course with him which enabled perhaps TO understand
his nature well many who knew him longer and
were more familiar with him. II is not always length
Of acquaintance which dscoses the strongest and most
brilliant points in individual character They are called
out by circumstances which may rarely occur but when
they do occur, tell upon character light does upon The
objects which have been hitherto hid in darkness
When il became evident, in lS44, that the views enter.
tanned by MIR. Van Buren, the subject of the annexa-
ton Of Texas had dissatisfied portion of the democratic
party and that the convention then assembling at Bali-
more would make the support of that measure the con-
dion Of their nomination, were one Of the delegates
perhaps the first. who mentioned the subject to Mr.
Wright who had not committed himself as Mr.. Van
puiSh hou A1o"P'Su ooua Wy VI lHeEusulp 10
the latter, and duty the democratic cause was our
wish that occasion to harmonic as far as possible the
private and the public relations which were necessarily in
danger Of conflict from such movement Under
these circumstances, we unbosomed ourselves 10 Mr.
Wright. and stated conviction that if that movement,
were made, he himself was the individual who would
best unite the democratic party and presented frankly
al the considerations which satisfied US, and ought to
satisfy him. that both his friendship TO Mr. Van Buren,
and his duty TO his party and his country should inter-
pose serious obstacle TO nomination, if it should be
made. ANTICIPATED. His reply was, Mono earthly mo-
tive could induce him 10 occupy position in which be
nigh, be suspected Of treachery 10 friend Although
be did not object to the annexation of Texas, yet he
could not regard sufficient for his ins,ru
mentality in superseding a who had, in all other
respects represented faithfully democratic interests and
dperlcd his reputation all the great issues which
The wings had made with that party lie loved his party
and his country; but this occasion his conscience told
hin that his integrity would be tested, rather
than his ability TO either party country Whilst
he would, therefore, support the nomination Of another
than himself when made in good faith by the convention
twas impossible that he would be the nominee himself
We had watched Mr.. Wright on many trying occasions
during the administrations OF General Jackson and Mr.
Van Buren, and had often witnessed his great powers as
sSssker and writer, but nothing had occurred
which impressed ssnsibly as the nciden, related
with The peculiar traits OF character which made him one
Of the purest as well as greatest men Of his day An
example Of such self-denial and such serupuous fidelity
oairend is rare in the history OF the politician; but
combined with the memorials he has left be-
had Of his forecast and patriotism, and OF his original
and powerful logic DICTATOR and writer, it gives to
hs general character charm which the greatest of bis
SURVIVORS upon the stage Of action may envy
Had Mr.. Wright lived, we cannot doubt lha, bis
Influence would have been employed to check the
movement which started during his Lifetime, the
tendency Of which was to array the northern sec
aon OF the Union against the southern He had
aAeEed this influence in its embryo in the form OF alb.
Onion petitions 10 Congress His opposition to i, when
seeking to use the mails OF the United States in the
dissemination OF incendiay appeals calculated 10 produce
asurecon in the southern States, was as bold as tina,
I" any southern statesman An nfuenc, so destructive
10 The peace and harmony Of the Union was assaed with
all the force of his powerful intellect both in and out OF
Congress Blu, the speech which have referred went
still further and depicts with remarkable accuracy the
geous necessity which would arise for the exeron Of the
hkhss, patriotism Of the northern eople in order 10 put
down the doctrines OF such higher-law men as Mr.
Reward. II the spirit OF aboionsm was not dsarmed
We quote from that speech the folio wing paragraphs thai
our readers may we do not overs,ate the facts
ms was at that time great and commanding inter.
81 10 me States OF the coDtederacy Oar own proud and
powerful and now free State was then an extensive
holder OF domestic slaves Such al that pc rod was the
aes with many other OF the present free States The
ases', therefore, was one TO be compromised BY the
yuehuon, or Their labors must come 10 useless Ter
mnauon. They did compromise il and how
The nature OF the institution such as required ha
ponce should be left Internationally with The States
shere existed. II was so left. Is continuance or alb.
olon was purely matter OF State interest when the
nen all questions OF private property were OF course
esuons between the State and lis citizens, and WERE
IKE all other questions reference TO all descriptions OF
property IN all the States, to be left 10 the Stale admins
sons 80 FAR therefore, the only duty OF the convention
vas not 10 interfere with he State soveregniies Yet
eie were other considerations connected with this del
and troublesome subject which could not fail to be
essed upon the convention, and TO require their action
" laws OF the slave States recognised the slaves not
property, but as persons and 40 far AZ they par
q he latter character. they necessarily formed an
s,eaent IN that basis oil representation which was es
osned upon population alone. without reference to
ropefy recognition. too, OF the institution in lis
IN the provisions Of The federal compact.
mailer OF vital interest with the States Of the South,
nefe slavery existed broadly and was most deeply
~ woven with the existing organization OF socety.
as Oh federal popular repre- sentation and taxation
otnea IN the consuuOn 10 the compromise OF the
Union upon hess points and il will fail TO be re-
That. while the ree States may feel that the rule
'''o' forget that they pay for any advantage they