The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-10-20
NO. 355.

crime IN Wllhams slave-pen, which Was then
in full operation, Mr. Wilson's sympathies
were aroused and enlisted against Slavery and
its defenders, and he came home an Anti Sla-
very man, and has been such ever since
Returning to New Hampshire in June MIR
Wilson entered Strsfford Academy. where he
continued during the summer term he then
went TO the Marlborough Academy for the
fall term, and taught school during the winter
in 1887. He attended the spring and summer
terms at the Concord Academy, and the fall
term at Marlborough, and in November re-
turned to Natick, whore he taught school dur
ing the winter of 1888.
In the following April he commenced the
business Of shoe manufacturing, which he con
tinued until the fall of lS4S, a period of ten
and half years, during which time he man
ufactured moro than half million pairs of
shoes for the Western and Southern trade, en-
ploying about sixty hands, and paying out
for labor alone, during that time, more than
$4,000.
In the year 1910, Mr. Wilson first became
prominently known as q political man. He
was brought UP in the Democratic faith. We
have already related how he became imbued
with Anti Slavery principles and feelings. Thu
Northern Wings, in Congress and at home,
generally resisted the attacks of the South upon
the right OF petition, and their presses, during
the years 1886, 81, and SO were quite bold
and decided in their disapprobation Of this
policy, and in sustaining the noble stand of
John Quincy Adams. In 1898. Mr.. Wilson
voted the Wing ticket, and in 1899 was nomi-
mated by that party for Representative, in the
town OF Nstick. He was not, however, sue
oessful. The next year came the memorable
Harrison campaign, and Mr.. Wilson took the
stump, being heralded far and wide, by the
Wing presses, as "the Natick Cobbler" He
spoke in some sixty towns that year, and was
considered by his party to have done great
deal towards the brilliant political success
which rewarded their efforts in this State.
This year he was again candidate for Repre-
sentative and was elected by large majority.
he was also reelected in l84l. During these
years he took leading part in the House, and
advanced his reputation among his political
friends and the public.
Ia 1912, the Wings Of Middesex county
nominated him on their Senatorial ticket; but
this was the year OF Democratic fortune in the
State and county, and he lost his election. In
lSi3, and again in 1874 he was chosen. The
next year, lS45 no declined re election. asd
again went into the House from Natick About
this time the Wings of Massachusetts, began to
on the subject Of Slavery. Among the early
and most prominent signs Of treachery wero
Mr.. Winthrop's welcome to Texas and Mr..
Lawrences and Mr.. Appleton's refusal to pc
luton or act against the admission of new slave
States. These gentlemen were fearful of the
fate of their darling " tariff of 1912" and they
had the satisfaction of seeing that measure re-
pealed by the votes of the Senators from the
very State they had refused to protest against
one OF the prettiest revenges" which the
"whirligig Of time" ever brought round. In
the Legislature of l845, Mr.. Wilson, being one
OF committee on the Anti-Slavery question,
reported resolve against the opinion of the
other members of the committee, coming fully
up to the old-fsshioned Wing Anti. Slavery re-
solves OF the few years previous. He made
speech in its support which to strong and
radical Anti. Slavery grounds and the resolu.
ton was carried through by ninety.two ma
jority.
The differences in the Wing party rapidly
widened after this time. The Conventions
called in several of the counties to protest
against the admission of Texas as a aaue State
were encouraged by the Anti. Slavery Wings,
among whom Mr.. Wilson was always earnest,
and were dIscountenanced and deprecated by
the Pro Slavery section. This movement
against Slavery. extension was a strong and
healthy one, in which Auti Slavery men of all
kinds took hold together DISCRIMINATION
Abolitionists, like Garrison, Phillips and Cnan-
ming; Liberty men, like Leavitt and Elizur
Wright; Wings like Wilson, Schouler, Phil
lips Allen, Adams, Hoar DR.. Huntington, aud
many hers; and Democrats, though fewer in
number, participated in these meetings Sixty
thousand persons signed the petition, and Will
son and Whittier were deputed to carry them
to Washington T; which they did.
In ls46 and iSi7, the Wing party became
greatly exercised upon the question of Freed IN
and Slavery. The time approached when they
were looking forward to new grasp upon the
spoils Of Office. General Taylor looked like an
available candidate, and series of Anti Sla.
very resolutions wound up by the approval Of
the owner of seventy human beings, it was
easily seen, would have an awkward appear
ance la the State Conventions of these years,
which were the most interesting the Wing
party of this State ever held Phillips Palfrey,
Allen Sumner, and the Anti.Slavery Wings
did their best TO make the party do its duty;
and in these efforts Mr.. Wilson aided.
Ia ls4s, John Quincy Adams ed, and MIR.
Mann vas nominated as his SUCCESSOR, by the
Wing Convention. Mr. Wilson received sew
ballot. He was elected to the Wing National
Convention a. this time and an his Anti-Sa-
very opinions were perfectly we'll known, and
as the Convention which appointed him took
the strongest Anti-Slavery ground, his course
in the National Convention was PLAIN enough
When General Taylor was nominated, and all
efforts to induce the Convention to pass re-
solve in favor Of the Wilmot Proviso were not
only unavailing, but were met with Kisses and
contempt Mr.. Wilson and his distinguished
colleague, Judge Allen denounced the Conven.
ton and took their leave. Mr.. Wilson called
meeting Of g few delegates and others who
were indignant at these proceedings and from
this informal gathering proceeded the Buffalo
Convention and tho Free Soil party--the be-
ginning Of what il destined TO be one of the
most important political movements of the age
Mr. Wilson defended his course against the
Wing presses, in spicy letter to his constitu-
ents, and took the field for the cause and the
candidates making more than fifty speeches
during the summer and fall. In November
Mr.. Van Buren,, though personally obnoxious
to many Free Soil men, received 38 900 votes
and the wedge was driven far in, which in 1850
split the hollow log Of Whigism asunder in
Massachusetts,
In September, Mr.. Wilson purchased the
Boston Republican, with which he was con-
ne,ted, ~ owner and editor, until January,
1881, when he sold it to the Commonwealth
He edited it with tact and ability, and--lost
seven thousand dollars and over two years
hard work by it.
In ls49, Mr.. Wilson was again chosen 10 the
House from Natick, and was the lndidate Of
the Free Soil party for Speaker. lie was not
absent day during the session, and HIS name
Is recorded upon every question ON which the
yeas aud nays were taken. 81 with tho late
Constitutional Convention he was absent
scarcely an hour during the whole Of its ses-
slons Fl 1 devotion to the business which he
has in hand is ono Of the most striking fea-
lures Of his character.