Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-06-11
Death of silas Wright.

Death of Silas Wright.
BE died suddenly at the age of ffty-two.
and without the sufferings and premonitions
which usually accompany the mortal transit
from time to eternity. A letter that he was
reading was seen to fall from his hand; a ply
sician was called in two hours he was dead
apoplexy the cause.
Though dying at an age deemed young in
a statesman, he had attained all that long life
could give-high Office, national fame, fixed
character and universal esteem. He had run
the career of honor in the state of New York
been Representative and Senator in Con-
gress-and had refused more Offices, and
higher, than he ever accepted He refused
Cabinet appointments under his fast friend Mr..
Van Buren, and under Mr.. Polk, whom he
may be said to have elected he refused seat
on the bench of the federal Supreme Court ;
he rejected instantly the nomination of 1914
for Vice President of the United States when
that nomination was the election. He refused
to be put in nomination for the Presidency
He refused to accept foreign missions.
He spent that time in declining Office which
others did in winning it; aud of those he did
accept, it might well be said they were thrust
upon him. Office, not greatness, was thrust
upon him. He was born great, above office,
and unwillingly decended to it; and only took
it for its burdens, and to satisfy an importu-
nate public demand Mind, manners, NOR.
ais. temper, habits, united in him to form the
character that was perfect, both in public and
private life, and to give the example of pa
triot citizen-of farmer statesman-of which
we have read in Cincinnatus and Cato, and
seen in Macon. and some others of their
stamp-created by nature-formed in no
school: and of which the instances are rare
and long between.
His mind was clear and strong, his judg-
ment solid, his elocution smooth and equable,
his speaking. always addressed to the under
standing, and always enchanting the attention
of those who had minds to understand. Grave
reasoning was his forte. Augmentation was
always the line of his speech. He spoke to
the head not to the passions; and would have
been Disconnected to see anybody laugh or
cry at anything he said. His thoughts evolv-
ed spontaneously, in natural aud proper order,
clothed in language of force and clearness;
all SO naturally and easily conceived that an
extemporaneous speech, or the first draft of
an intricate report, had all the correctness
of finished composition. His manuscripts
had no blots-a proof that his mind had
none and he wrote q neat and compact hand
suitable to clear and solid mind.
He came into the Senate i'll the beginning
of General Jackson's administration, and re-
mained during that of Mr.. Van Buren and
took ready and active part in all the great
debates of those eventful times. The ablest
speakers of the opposition always had to ans
wer him; and when he answered them, they
showed by their anxious concern, that the ad-
versary was upon them whose force they
dreaded most. Though taking his full part
upon all subjects, yet finance was his particu-
lar department, always chairman of that com-
mittee when his party was in power, and by
the lucidity of his statements making plain
the most intricate moneyed details. He had
Just conception of the difference between
the functions of the Finance Committee of the
Senate, and the Committee of Ways and
Means of the House-so little understood III
these latter times: those of the latter founded
in the prerogative of the House to originate
all revenue bills; those of the former to act
upon the propositions from the House, with
out originating measures which might effect
the revenue, so as to coerce either Its increase
or prevent its reduction. In 1914 he left the
Senate to stand for the governorship of New
York; and never did his self-sacrifcing tenn
per undergo a stronger trial, or submit to a
greater sacrifice He liked the Senate; he
disliked the governorship even to absolute
repugnance. But it was said to him (and
truly. as then believed and afterwards proved)
that the state would be lost to Mr.. Polk, un-
less Mr.. Wright was associated with him in
the canvass; and to this argument he yielded.
He stood the canvass for the governorship---
carried it-and Mr.. Polk with him he saved
the presidential election that year.
Judgment was the character of Mr.. Wrights
mind purity the quality of his heart
Though valuable in the field of debate, he
was still more valuable at the council table,
where sense and honesty are demanded
General jackson and Mr.. VAN Buren, relied
upon him as one of their safest counsellors