Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1857-08-13
AneCdOte of SiIas Wright.

A gentleman who during the life time of Mr.,
Wright, was one of his most intimate and con-
| fdcntial friends, related to us a few days ago,
the following incident of his life. An incident
which shows clearly the high moral principle by
which that great and good man was ever gov
crned, in both private and public affairs.
| While 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 urg.
ing the passage of the bill with great vchemencc,
and system of lobbying was brought into re-
QUESTION, scarcely inferior to the present highly
perfected state of the profession, On one oc-
cnsiOn a prominent member Of the Assembly,
and either then OR subsequently Speaker Of the
House was walking arm.n.alm with Mr. Wright,
when the following conversation in substance
passed between them
Membcr--I am told Mr.. Wright, that you
have never acquired fortune, but arc in mod
crate circumstances.
Mr.. Wright--You are correct. have never
! found time TO devote to making money, and be.
sides am not perhaps so much attached to pro-
perty as most men.
Mcmber-But you would not dislike to be
rich and in easy circumstances?
Mr.. W.-No; on the contrary, it would
afford me pleasure to have competency, be.
lieving that could use it prudcntly, and in
such manner as to benefit others as well as
myself
Menu think could put YOU in the way OF
a fortune Of, say $4,000, if you would but
adopt my suggestions.
Mr. WI should feel greatly obliged to you
for any suggestion which would enable me to ac.
quire honestly such an amount.
Mcm-Wcll, then, you know that the bank
bills will be up in the Senate tomorrow. We
have been canvassing, and find the vote likely
to be very close. [ know your opposition to
them. Now. you could manage to be unwcll,
and be detained from your seat when the quos
ton is taken, / have no doubt that some of my
friends would do something handsome for you,
and rather think it would be $4,000.
Mr. W.-Qndignantly dropping the arm of
the membcr.) Sir, am astonishcd- have
said enough, sir. wish to hear no more. Ii
my life is spared, shall be in my scat to vote
against the bills.
MIR. Wright said that such an impression was
made upon his mind by the conversation, that
one time in the night he awokc and found HIM
self walking about the room in state orueryous
excitement Ia the morning he ate a very light
breakfast, fearing it mi CHIT cause him to be sick,
and half an hour before the meeting Of the SEN
ate, he waa in his SCAT mpaticntly waiting FOR
the opportunity TO record his vote as judgment
and honesty dictated.
Such was the principle which controlled the
action Of Mr.. Wright in all his public and pr
vate relations. His success is history while the
person who had the tcmcrty to attempt to
swcrve him from the path of recti'ude, although
a man Of fine talents, and popular manners fell
a prey to dissipation, and after removing from
his country residence to the city of New York,
died an ignominious death. We could give his
name, but prefer to withhold it, out Of regard
for the feelings Of friends.-Romc (.M W
| Sentinel