Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-22
ANECDOTE OIL SILAS WRIGHT.

A gentleman, who during the life of Mr..
Wright, was one of his most intimate and conf
Dental friends, related to us few days ago, the
following incident of his life, an incident which
shows clearly the moral principle by which that
great and good man was governed, in both pri-
vate and public affairs.
While member of the Senate of New York
many years ago, there were several applications
for bank charters, some of them for institutions
with large capital, and whose friends urged the
passage of the bill with vehemance, and system
of lobbying was brought into requistion, scarce
ly inferior to the present highly perfected state
OF the profession. On one occasion prominent
member of the Assembly, and either then or
subsequently, Speaker of the House, was walk
ing arm-in-arm with Mr.. Wright, when the fol-
lowing conversation, in substance, passed be-
tween them.
Member am told, Mr. Wright that you
have never acquired fortune, but are in mod
crate circumstances.
Mr.. Wright-You are correct have never
found time to devote especially to making mon
oy, anu peeiueS AIN NOT 30 Mucn atGhcneQ 10
property as most men.
Mem-But you would not dislike to be rich,
and in easy circumstances
Mr.. Wright-No; on the contrary, it would
afford me pleasure to have a competency, be-
lieving that could use it prudently, and in
such manner as to benefit Others as we'll az
myself.
Menu think | could put you in a way of
fortune of say $4,000, if you would but adopt
my suggestions.
Mr.. WI should feel greatly obliged to you
for any suggestion, which would enable me to
acquire, honestly, such on amount.
Mem-WelI, then, you know that the bank
bills will be up in the Senate tomorrow. We
have been canvassing, and find the vote likely
to be very close one. l know your opposi-
tion to them and your determination to defeat
them, Now if you could manage to be unwell
and be detained from your seat when the ques-
ton is taken, | have no doubt some of my
friends would do something handsmome, and
rather think it would be $500O0.
Mr.. W-Qndignantly dropping the arm of
the member.) Sir, am astonished You have
spid enough, sir. wish to hear to more. If
If my life is spared shall be in my seat to vote
against the bills.
Mr.. Wright said that such an impression was
made on his mind by the conversation, that he
was too nervous to sleep soundly, and that one
time in the night, he awoke and found himself
wandering about the room in state of nervou 8
; excitement In the morning he ate very ligh
breakfast, fearing it might cause him to be sick,
and half an hour before the meeting of the Sem
ate. he was in his seat, impatiently waiting for
the opportunity to record his vote as Judgment
and honesty dictated.
Such was the principle which controlled the
action of Mr.. Wright in all his public and pri-
vate relations His success is recorded in histo-
ry, while the person who had the temerity to
swerve him from the path of rectitude, although
man of fine talents, and popular manners, fell
prey to dissipation, and after removing from
IS his country residence to the city of New York,
@ died an inglorious death. We could give his
T. name but prefer to withhold it out OF regard tor
the feelings Of friends.-Rome Sentinel