Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-06-21
Henry A. Wise.

he character Of HENRY A. WISE. We do
not know who the writer was, but the editor
1f the Messenger At that time was an uncOm-
promising Wing. Since that time, Mr.. w
has been Minister 10 Brazil, and member of .
the Convention to revise the Constitution of /
the State, and has done nothing to forfeit the !
good opinion entertained and expressed Of
him in 1899
Mr. Wise'S mind is quick and comprehen-
slve; he siezes upon the weak points of his /
opponents argument with great facility, and /
turns them against him with much skill and
ability. lie depends mainly upon the native
powers of his intellect, which has not been
very highly cultivated or disciplined. He
has not devoted much of his time, probably
nom the necessity Of early action, To the ac-
QUESTION acknowledge; but his mind is perhaps
more vigorous and accute than ii wonld have
beenif 1t had been more polished and enriched
with other mems thoughts. He thinks for
himself, and thinks deeply. His thoughts.
though not often magnificent or beautiful, are
nevertheless original and striking. As a sa-
wrist, he has not the delicacy, point and pol
ish of the orator of Roanoke, but he has more
ygor aud intensity of indignation. He feels
deeply and pours out the oyerflOwings OF his
Indignation in "words that burn" and in Ian
euage which bears the strong coloring of his
feelings Those feelings are lofty, honora-
Die and delicate, but exciteable. His soul
seems TO loathe and spurn all that is mean
and dishOnorable IN human action. His ha
tired of vice and political dishonesty and pro-
figacy is innate, and he deals out his dennn-
Citations against those he believes to be guilty,
whether elevated or humble, with indignant
and bitter eloquence. His victim shivers and
writhes beneath his lash. He is bold, fear
less aud independent, and throws out his shafts
without regard to the elevated rank which
those he aims at may hold in the world. His
love of country is intense and ardent, and he
looks upon all whose conduct endangers its
liberties or tends to cover its character with
dishoHor, as his enemies, whom it is his duty
to expose aud denounce There is, however
the greatest possible difference between Mr.
Wise on the floor of the House, aud Mr.
Wise in the private circle. A stranger would
scarcely believe them TO be the same individ-
ual. While addressing the body of which he
is 4 member, he often seems to be animated
by a species of fury, or by some strong and
uncOnquerable passion-his eyebrows lower,
his. eyes sparkle with Indignation, and his
whole countenance and action indicate the
most violent mental agitation. While sur
rounded by his friends, and even among
strangers. he is mild and affable, and humor-
Gus. producing laughter by his bon nlots and
Jokes and laughing himself at the Jokes, wit,
or anecdotes of Others. He has a good deal
of irtability of genius, but it is seldom dis
played, except in the halls of legislation
In the domestic circle he is kind, tender and
affectionate; and in private, afable, and even
playful among those with whom he is init
mately acquainted.
Since his first appearance among the re-
representatives. of the nation, he has under
gone a considerable change He is, | think,
less Incorporate and violent in his manner
and feelings, and has more staidneSs and dig
nifty, but not less energy and vehemence.-
Every one listens to him with interest, when
he addresses the House, because every one is
pleased with excitement. Mn. Wise's talents,
ardent feelings and boldness of character,
have given him high rank in the House of
Representatives: but he is fortune nlgjOris
solsos, eTectuS ct dcer. Though young, he is
an expert and able debater-always prepared
al,
and never sparing his opponent either in the
offensive or defensive. lie yields the battle
axe and mace, and leaves the small sword and
spear to those whose ardor is less intense or
whose Indignation is more cOntrOllable.-
When Mr. Wise first appeared in the House,
some ten years ago, it was thought from his
voice and manner, that he was an lmitat0r of
John Randolph; but il was soon perceived
that he was an original, and afterwards as
certained that he had never seen his suppos-
ed model the great eccentric Of Roanoke
"None but himself can be his parallel" He
stands alone, often unsupported, and boldly
and manfully breasts the fury of party rage,
and treats with scorn the dsnunciations of
the minOns of power He has great nerve as
well as sensbility, and his fearlessness and
independence command the respect even of
those who are opposed 10 him ia political
opinion and who believe him to be wrong
Like all men of strong feelings, he is generous
as well as brave, and he would as readily
weep over the misfortunes of a PROSTATE
enemy as over those of beloved friend.
The following short extract from a speech
of his, recently delivered in the House of Re-
representatives., will give not only an idea of
his temper and the nature Of his feelings, but
of the style of his eloquence:
Is it not egregiously unjust says he, speak
ing of the conduct of the House to him in
relation TO the duel between Mr.. Graves and
Mr.. Cilley, in which he was concerned as
second. that any Judge should pursue this
course? | demand trial. Come when il
may | will expose the guilty. The most
guilty were the very busiest in araigning
me-the most hypocritical in the hue and
cry after the most innocent H. that transac-
ton. Put me on trial, aud will then drag
from their seats here, and i'm the other House,
the cnlpIits-the very wretches who instiga-
ted that duel-who wept crocodile tears over
the bier of poor Cilley. and who got up ex-
element, the most loathsOme, for no end
whatever of religion or morality, but for the
vilest of political purposes-wretches who
would have dragged the corpse of the victim
of their Vaccinations from Washington 10
Maine, with his heels To a chariot and his
head upon the 1nty rock, if il would have
served the sinister and Infamous designs of
a party. He (Mr. Gray, of New York; says
the Speaker has been denounced as a supple
tool of the Executive Yes, the Speaker has
been told to his face worse than that You
and l7aolo, Mr.. Speaker, what | said. When
ever had been arraigned would have given
the reasons why took the Speaker by the
arm, as he was leaving that chair, and said to
him" You are the petty tool Of a tyyant." Did
mean merely to insult himf No, no--the
Speaker was not nv man. No, | discharged
high a solemn duty defend the freedom
of debate and the forms intended to preserve
it. When | found the Executive presiding
e0ey-yiohere-when found the President sit
ting there, (pointing 10 the Chain as we'll as
upon the throne in the White House-oyer-
stepping the constitutional walls of partition
between the coordinate departments Of the
government--encroaching by silent conup-
ton upon the province of this House, spoke
out rs Brutus did in Rome, or as Sidney
would in England will speak or die on all
such occasions. When / see the daring or
insiduous invasion of the freedom and inde-
pendence of legislation attempted, | will de-
nounce the invader, and denounce the princi-