Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-31
N(ist&lluntOus.
DEATH OF sILAs WRIGHT.

tFrm B.rton- Thirty Years Veg to he published in
leT days by the AppIetons.l
Ie died suddenly al the age of fifty-two, and
without the sufIcrngs and rFemonitions which
usually accompany the mortal transit from tiine
20 eternity \ letter that he was reading was
seen to fall from his hand physician vas
called in two hours he vas dead-apoplexy
the cause
though dying at the age deenled young ia
statesman, he had attained all that long life
could giye-high Office, national fame, fixed
character and universal esteem. He had run
the career Of hOnors in the state Of New York
been representative and senator in Congress
and had refused more Offices, and higher,
than be ever ACCEPTED He refused cabinet
appointments under his fast fricnd, Mr. Van
Buren,, and under Mr.. Polk, when he may be
said TO have elected he refused seat on the
bench Of the federal Supreme Court he rejcc-
ai instantly the nomination of 1874 for Vice
President of the United States, when that no.
@MatiGn was the election. He refused to be
t0t in nomination for the Presidency. He re-
fused to accept foreign missions.
lie spent that time ia declining Office which
others did in Einnng it and of those he did
accept it might well be said they were "Mrust"
cron him. Office, not greatness, was thrust
upon him. He was born great above ofiice,
aud unwilingly descended to it and only took
ti0r ITS burdens, and to satisfy an importunate
public demand. Mind, manners, morals, tenn
te1 habits, united in him to form the charac-
lei that was perfect, both in public and private
Ulr and to give the example of a patriot citi-
~I-of farmer stateSman-of which we have
.@n "a tUrunatuS and Cato, and seen ia Mr.
Macon and some Others of their stamp
created by nature-fOrmed in no school and
u Which the instances are so rare and long be-
tween.
Il mind was clear and strong, his Judgment
"... BIS ciocution smooth and equablc, his
NJ 1gaSIns always addressed to the understand
.-, aHd always enchanting the attention of
"',e Hlo had minds to understand. Grave
,-'''A.'5 was his forte. Augmentation was
mays Tie line Of his speech. He spoke to
4 Va. Aeaa, not to the passions and would have
,.'" "sconcertcd to see anybody laugh, or cry,
'':thmS he said His thoughts evolved
t'4'aAeouSiy, in natural and proper order,
.''1ed IN language OF force and clearness all
naturally and easily conceived that an cX-
I.":aneouS speech, or the first draught of an
g..late g., report, had all the correctness Of a
.',".d composition. His manuscript had no
.o.s-a proof that his mind had none and he
,.J 'Js neat compact hand, suitable to clear
~t s3..l mind.
i ,, 'le c came into the Senate, in the beginning
ueleFal JackSon'S administration, and re-
--'l during that Of Mr. Van Buren, and
j .~ ready and active part in all the great
.~ 0. those cycntful times The abIeSt
...s q. the opposition always had to an
-l.. and when he answered them, they
r.,s' y their anxious concern, that the ad-
Al 5.''! was upon them whose force they dread
III s% -,','. though taking his full part upon all
.. yet finance was his particular depart
e'"ayS chairman of that committee, when
Ill Ia,'y "as in Fowcr, and by the lucidity of
..'.'l 'l'ylents making plain the most intricate
details. He had just conception of
I.Ience between the functions of the Fl
''aMlttcc of the Senate and the Com
W., and McauS Of the House 50