The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-10-20
From the Lowell American.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF HON. H. WILSON.

The Free Democratic party of Massachu-
setts have placed before tho people Hon. Henry
Wilson, of Natick, AZ their candidate for Gov.
ernor OF the State. We propose to give briei
sketch of the life and public services of Gen
Wilson, and we are confident that his eminent
illness for the office Of Governor will insure
him large and generous vote from the work
| ing mon and the friends of liberal legislation
and free principles in this old Common wealth
Henry Wilson was born in Pennington, N.
H on the 10th of February, 1912 His pa
rents were poor, and had u family of seven
children to support by hard labor consequent
ly, at the ago of ten years Wilson was obliged
to look out for himself and release the others
from share of the burdens and trials of pow
erty. He went to live with farmer residing
in the town of his BIRTH and after remaining
with him some years was apprentced, agreeing
on his part to serve faithfully until the age Of
twenty-one, and the farmer agreeing that he
should attend school four iceeks in each year,
and should receive six sheep and a yoke OF six
year-0ld oxen at the close of the term Will
son faithfully served out his time, giving to his
master more than ten years of hard labor, and
receiving In pay forty nine weeks Of schooling
and the sheep and oxen, which he sold for
eghty-four dollars. He was under the care of
man of remarkable industry and economy,
and during three years the Sabbaths and even
ings were his only time for mental improve.
mcnt. These he improved to the utmost He
was fortunate in having tho friendship of Hon.
Nehemiah Eastman, a lawyer and politician,
and his intelligent and accomplished wife, a
sister OF the Hon. Levi Woodbury.. The libra
~ Of MIR. Eastman was at his service, and
Mrs. Eastman kindly selected the fttest books
for bis reading And from the age of twelve
to the expiration of his time, Wilson read in
the Sabbaths and neutrality-suspicious. sitting
up all highland in lieu Of OIL using pine,
knots for light, more than seven hundred vol
umes Of historical and biographical works. To
Judge George l.. Whitehouse of Pennington,
he was also under great obligations for the free
use Of many valuable works
Being his own man, Wilson worked some
eight months longer at farming, and Q few
weeks at wood chopping, at so cents cord,
and in December, 1888, started on foot and
walked to the town OF Natick, Mass. with the
design TO learning 10 bottom sale shoes He
accordingly agreed with shoemaker of that
place to give him FIVE months time in exchange
for the art and mystery of bottoming brogans
After working on this bargain six weeks, he
purchased the rest Of his time, and commenced
work for himself From January, 1894, to May,
1896, he kept 30 steadily at work that his
health was seriously impaired. He allowed
himself only five hours for sleep, and frequent
ly worked oil the night. He was compelled 10
cease work for time, and went South az far
AS Virginia spending four weeks in Washing
ton, where be obtained an insight into the
workings of Slavery aud Southern politicians,
which instilled into him determination 10 do
what he could for the cause Of emancipation.
He was in the gallery of the House of Repre-
sentstives during this visit, in 1885, when Mr..
Pinckney brought forward his Cog resolution,
tho hrst Of q series Of measures designed TO put
down the growing Anti-Slsvery sentiment of
the Northern States. This resolution was forc.
cd through the House amidst great excitement,
and under the pressure Of the previous ques-
ton John Qaincy Adams refused 10 vote,
and this led IN violent debate, to which Viii.
son had M opportunity TO listen, as we'll ~ to
another exciting debate on the subject Of TEXAS
This attempt to rcpress agitation resulted prot
ty much ~ all other attempts have resulted
before and since. The me ASSURE Designed for .
Gag, opened the mouths OF thousands The
en- gineer wss-"host with his own petsrd.n
No craft has been more distinguished for love
Of freedom, than the shoemsksrs Az one Of
their own number, the poet Whittier, says;
1.-THE foremost sti by day or night,
On mostsd mound or heather,
Whsrser the need Of uamplsd right
Brought toiiing men together
Wheis the free burghsrs from the wall
Dshod the mail clad master,
Than yours, ct Freedoms trumpetoaii
No craftsmen rallied faster !"
BY these debates, by this denial Of free speech
and the right Of petition, and by the sight Of