Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-02-10
BraiilebOro, VI, Feb, Q, 1855.
Henry wilson.--The New Massachu.etts
u. y. Senator.
(From the Cincinnati Gazette. edited by Col. VIM.
Schouler)


(From the Cincinnati Gazette, edited by Col. VIM.
Schouler.)
With the Senator elect we have had a long
intimate personal acquaintance. We know him
well. lie is about fory-fye years of age, IA
Their above the medium hight, has round.
good natured face, rather expressive Of good
nature than Of any Senatorial quality. Gener-
al Wilson is native Of New Hampshire. lie
came to Massachusetts about twenty-five years
ago, with a very limited education and still
more limited means. He was, however, in-
dustrous, and possessed great ambition He
went to work as a shoemaker in the town Of
Natick, in Mddesex County. about twenty
miles from Boston, During the Harrison cam
paign, in 1910, Mr.. Wilson first appeared as
an active politician. He was an ardent and en-.
thnsiastic Wing. He made many speeches and
gained considerable reputation. He was known
as the " Naick Shoemaker"
In. the November election If 1910, when the
whole State went like an avalanche for Gener-
al Harrison, Mr.. Wilson was elected mem
Der Of the Legislature from Naiick. He was
re-slss,sd slso the following ysa- 40 .neu
took part in the debates, and was noticeable for
his high tariff notions, was In favor Of United
States Bank, and the distribution Of the pro-
ceeds Of the public lands. sfa's
In 1874 he was elected TO the Massachusetts
Senate, from Middlesex county, and was re-
elected the following year
In 1913, he was chosen delegate from the
district represented in Congress by John Quin-
cy Adams, to the Wing National Convention,
which met in Philadelphia in June, and nom
mated Taylor and Fillmore. Mr.. Wilson,
from first to last, voted in the Convention for
Danel Webster, and when il was announced
that General Taylor had received majority Of
all the votes, and was therefore the nominee,
Mr.. Wilson and one Of his colleagues, Charles
Allen, after denouncing the nomination, and
declaring they would oppose il, because Gen.
Taylor ras not Wing, Withdrew from the
Convention. They returned TO Massachusetts,,
and with the aid Of Charles Sumner, Charles
Francis Adams, Stephen C Phillips, Fletcher
Webster, Samuel Hoar, Judge Hoar, and a
host of others, prominent and influential men,
called an anti-Taylor Convention at Worcester.
1t was held in August, and was large and en-
thnsiasiic. Delegates were appointed TO attend
SoNchioh ~ huuuiO. NilbOn was one OF
the delegates. The Buffalo convention noun-
ated, as is well known, Martin Van Buren, for
President, and Charles Francis Adams for Vice
President. Here we had the first real organ
izaiion Of the Free Soil party. During the
canvas, Wilson was prominent as speaker, in
favor Of the Buffalo ticket He became the
proprietor and editor Of tho Republican, pa
per which had been started in Boston a wear or
two before, as the organ Of what were called
the . Conscience Wings" TO which John G.
Pallrey, G. f. Adams, Charles Sumner, and
other prominent anii-slavery wings were the
chief contributors. Notwithstanding this for
midable opposition, Massachusetts, gave her
electoral vote for Taylor and Fillmore, though
the wings came nigh losing possession of the
legislature. In 1850, coalition was formed
by the democrats and free sellers against the
Wigs, and carried the State. Mr.. Boutwell,,
democrat, was chosen Governor by the legis-
lainre, aud Amssa Walker, free soilor, lieut..