Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-06-03
AnecdOte of SilaS Wright.

gentleman who, during the lifetime Of Mr..
Wright, was his most intimate and confidential
friend, related to u.s. few days ago, the foowir
incident of his life an incident which shows clearly
the high moral principle by which that distin-
guished man was ever governed in both private
and public affairs.
While a 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 were ur-
ging the passage of the bills with vehemenee, and
system of Lobbying was brought into requisi-
tion scarcely inferior to the present highly perec
ted state of the profession On one occasion a
prominent member of the Assembly, and either
then or subsequently, Speaker of the House, was
walking, arm-in-arm, with Mr. Wright, when the
following conversation, in substance, passed be-
tween them =
Member am told, Mr. Wright, that you have
never acquired fortune, but are in moderate cir
cumstances.
Mr.. Wright-You are correct. have never
found time to devote especially to making money,
and am not, perhaps, so much attached to property
as most men.
Member.-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 believing
that could use it prudently, and in such manner
as to benefit others as well as myself
Member think | could put you in the way
of fortune Of say $4,000, if you would but
adopt my suggestions.
Mr.. W.-Ishould feel greatly obliged to you
for any suggestions, which would enable me hon
estly to acquire such an amount.
Member-Well, then, you know that the banks
have been canvassing, and find the vote very close
l know your opposition to them, and your deter
mnatiOn to defeat them Now if Won MANAGE to
De unwell, and be detained from your seat when
the question IS taken, have no doubt some Of my
friends would do something handsome, and rather
think it would be $4,000.
MIR. W. Indignantly dropping the arm Of IA
member j Sir | am astonished, you have sal
enough, sir. | wish to hear no more. Ifmy III
Is spared shall be in my seat to vote against Il
bills
Mr. Wright said that such an impression was
made on his mind by this conversation, that he
was too nervous to sleep soundly, and that at one
time of the night, he awoke and found himself
wandering about the room in a state of nervous
excitement. In the morning he ate a very light
breakfast, fearing it might cause him to be sick.
and hal an hour before the meeting of the Senate
he was in his seat, impatienty waiting for the op-
portunity to record his vote, judgment and hon
esty dictated.
Such was the principle which controlled the
action of Mr. Wright in all his public and private
relations. His success is recorded in history. while
the very person who had the temerity to swerve
him from the path of reetitude although man Of
fine talents and popular manners, fell prey to dis
sipatiOn, and after removing from his country res
idence to the.city of New York, died an inglorious
death. We could give his name, but prefer to
withhold it, out of regard for the feelings of friends
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