Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-19
John Wilson, late Commissioner Of the
Land Office.

We publish at full length the letter of this gen.
,leman addressed by him to President Pierce after
his removal from office, satisfied that we cannot
render more acceptable service to the public
II was the good fortune of one OF the editors OF
this paper to know Mr. Wilson intimately--when
associated with him in the public service, and
,arely have we known a man of superior business
clpacity-of more generally acknowledged fidelity
rs an officer, of more exalted worth and intelli-
gence as private individual. Commencing in an
humble rank at the Land Office in early life he adj
vanced step by step through its tortuous and in
iricate details, until finally, by the superior dis
comment and impartial favor of President Fill
more, he was placed at the head of that Important
bureau. So great was his popularity in that sta
ton, especially with the citizens of the States
when the present Executive paid his first official
visit to Washington in March, 1853, and the por-
tentous alarm Of prescription first startled the pub
lie ear there were distinguished Senator's from the
West and Northwest General Cass among the
number) who made voluntary efforts in his behalf
and through them, probably, the eIecutioner's
axe was at that time arrested
Mr.. Wilson may have then thought that the new
President, who protested to be Jefiersonian Dem
ocrat, would confine himself to the qualifications
prescribed by Mr.. Jefferson: as he honest? Is
he capable Is he faithful to the Constitution 7"
But not sol Very soon II appeared that the
statesman from concord entertained very Inherent
views as to the true qualifications requisite in a
federal ofice-holder, and that they were very diff
terent from those furnished by Mr.. Jefferson's
tests. The new occupant of the throne had new
mission to execute. He had higher and nobl0r
work to perform than to tread in the vulgar foot
steps Of such men as Washington, Jefferson, and
Madison. An important issue had suddenly sprung
up before the country An issue in which for
egnism and Romanism on one side were arrayed
against Native Americanism on the other.
Early in the conflict the President who was
elected by large majority Of the people, embra-
ced the former-but the high and independent
spirit Of John Wilson could not hesitate, and he
promptly gave his adhesion to the American cause.
He was ready to sacrifice Office and emolument
the reward Of long-ried and faithful services, to
the Conscientious and patriotic discharge of duty.
lie patiently bowed TO the yoke and was crushed
down by the sac volo Of official tyranny.
But even sympathy for John Wilson will be lost
in the terrible and humatng details Of his letter,
which show beyond the power Of effective contra
dicton, that the foul spirit OF Papal influence has
made serious Judgment In the inner courts Of
this Republic. We win not anticipate nor pre-
Judge, but ask only that the letter itself may re-
ceive calm deliberate and impartial reading from
every man. and even from every woman, Who
claims to have patriots heart. We think that
with the pure and unsophistcated, there win be
10 hesitation in decidng.--Rieh. Amer.