The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-10-20
l66

Lawrence. Judge Warren, and Hon. John n.
Wilkins. political opponents, spoke in the
varmest terms in praise of his course as pre-
siding officer. ,,,,
Atthe State Convention, in 1851, Gen. Will
son was elected one of the delegates at large TO
the Free Democratic National Convention at
Pittsburgh, and was afterwards chosen Presi-
dent Of that body, and also chairman OF the
National Committee In this capacity he Wis
tied most of the Northern States in the autumn
Of 1852, travelling over 5000 miles. In the
District Convention he was nominated unani-
mously az a candidate for Congress. At the
first trial in November, he received six hundred
more votes than his party strength, and at the
next trial came within ninety-two votes OF an
election.
In 1852, the Wings again got into power in
the State but the people voted to hold Con-
stitutional Convention, which was sad draw
back upon Wing success General Wilson was
indelatigable in his efforts to have the Conyen-
ton successful one He harmonized differ
ences in the ranks of the Reform parties, and
Organized the plans Of his psrty with great
skill He was himself elected by his own town
and by the town Of Berlin. He received four
teen majority in Natick, which the previous
year had chosen Wing Representative, and
got OF ont of 3 votes in Berlin. During the
illness of President Banks he was chosen Pres
ideut pro tcmpOrC Of the Convention.
General Wilson's course in the Convention
was wise and conciatOry. 1t is no disparage-
ment to others to say that no man contributed
more to the complete success Of that body. He
was always present, and always attentive to
his duty. During the debate on the question
Of representation, in Committee Of the Whole,
he was the presiding officer, and therefore did
not participate IN the discussion on that sub
ject Afterwards however in the Convention,
he exerted a great influence in harmonizng
the differences of opinion among the Reform
delegates. and in arranging the details of what
is to be the Constitution Of the Commonwealth
He was chairman OF the Committee on the
Senate, and his report on that subject was
agreed to with scarcely dissenting voice, and
without amendment. Many other parts of the
new Constitution bear the impress of his saga
cous mind and improving hand.
At the State Convention, held at FItchburg
on the 18Th inst. Gen. Wilson was nominated
for Mountaineering 6l0 votes out of 6l6
The previous year he received 259 votes for the
same position.
Few men in this State are better known than
General Wilson His political enemies, the
Wings whom he has done 40 much to pros
trato and destroy testify their sense Of his pc.
litcal importance, by the most constant and |
unremittng abuse. largo class of them de- |
sp,s5 him because of his occupation as a shoe
maker but the majority fear him and hate |
him because he has overthrown their Organiza- |
ton and wrestcd from Their hands the power
which they supposed TO be theirs by divine
right 1t ~ not 10 Do expected that they
can Judge him correctly or justly. General
Wilson ~ one Of the most honest, energetic
and Industrious men in the Stste--a man
whose opinions are democratic and whose sym
pathies ard interests are altogether with the |
people His spccchea--cspecially those made
within the lat two or thrco ycars-cxhibit Is
great d'.a OF ability. We will instance his
late spec h on the Constitution, at Natick hs
defence Of the coalition last year and his Har-
ward College speech, delivered in the COnyen.
ton. His letter 10 Dr. Bell-in which be told
that gentleman and his Wing brethren all that
ever they dd-was an admirable apd effective ,
political document
General Wilson has probably delivered more
political addresses than any other man in the
State and his style of speaking is well known. l
It IS direct uad iDrcible Oftentimes very effect
i've most ~ when he makes the least prepare !
ton for the occasion. As debater, he excels.
His replies to the political speeches of Otis p.
Lord and Gov. Brggs in the Convention, were s
admirable specimens of of. hand speaking, and t
were completely successful in every point OF
view 1
General Wilson is emphatcally one of the
people He Illustrates better than almost any
other Of our young politicians, the genius of our
Institutions, which permits the humblcst and
poorest boy Of the State to aspire to its Ottiost
stations. The democratic idea which in Eu- ;
rope only poets dream about is here a living
fact Burns may, in indignant song, declare 0
that d
The rank is but the guinea stamp, Il
The mana the man for all that - .
And Tennyson may tell us that
From yon blue heavens above us bent
The gardener Adam aud his wife Z
Smile at the claims of long descent t
But only in such States as ours can this idea Il
be realizcd-can such men as Wilson reach o
except in rare instances, the highest stations .
We cannot be mistaken in predicting for him
Il very large vote from the ranks of all parties
and all classes OF the people II