Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-11-25
Turp1ow WEED. rHE GREAT AMERICAN

adhering vigorously TO q long,, stro g, anSu-
lar and massive head, full of nervous force
this gentleman, with harsh, square features,
prominent cheek-bones, lips habirually COM
pressed: shaggy gray eyebrows fringing a
s%loping shelf of forehead hazy gray eyes OF
subtle hue-keen, v~igilant. humOristlc, with
great power of severe expression a nose
long, muscular, and standing out like a SEN
tinel on duty before the!other features these
with a saturnine complexion and stenogra-
graphic habit of face. framed under a broad
brimmed provincial beaver hat, and sur
mounting largely-boned limbs easel in the
rural style OF a gentleman farmer paying his
regular visit TO an agricultural falr-such,
as near as we can give it, is the outer man
of Thurlow Weed, beyond all comparison
the first unofficial public man in the United
States. Pressing forward under a high con-
densation of vital incentives. his lace is light
ed up with inexhaustible energies of purpose,
and his whole body is thrown forward as if
to oyertake and seize the object which he is
mentally pursuing, and evidently prepared
70 make it succumb. Totally devoid of pre-
tentiousness, simple in taste and language,
curiously unassuming in manner, and cordi-
ally ENJOYING all the social comforts of life
tnbTt ltNtl iiltltNS IdAALtNo bhlo man =
whole appearance a spirit Of power and con-
yiction Of Intellectual pre-eminence. whether
in council or action. which never fail to Sc
cure respect and stamp him, as Carlyle
would say, one Of the born kings Of men,,
endowed with the only divine right which a
republic recognizes. The old man'-so he
is familiarity called-as a journalist has
worked his way up from the humblest grades
of the profession, and every suffering or as
piriug fellow craftsman Of DR.. Faust and
Benjamin Franklin may rest sure of r%eceig-
inc rom Thurlow Weed Il brothers sympa-
thy, as ardent and fresh to-day as when this
great master of journalistic and political
strategy first handled plea type in the compo-
sition room of a village newspaper. Gifted
with a retentive memory, great natural
knowledge Of men and their motives, broad
human instincts, ard a chivalry Of purpose
content to pursue high objects through all
agencies, his most marked characteristic Is,
that once resolved to accomplish any object,
he enters upon its pursuit with a freshness
Of determination ignoring every obstacle,
and a stoicism which disdains explanation or
apology for the means which he may find
necessary, and which the end, in his judy
ment, will justify. This is a trait almost in
varIably accompanying men of the highest
natural force, and in fact, necessary, where
the interests dealt with are numerous, COM
pick, and involving extended criticisms
With a comprehensivenesS of grasp which
takes III the whole political j%urisdic-
ton Of the republican party, and a
minute accuracy as to men and their springs
as much at home in the village concerns. Of
Maf.,a. a. .r,pnor tba rarl-acaHt 70 tive RanfrhlT-
cans of the Empire city, he can count of the
individual claims and resources Of every pub
lie man, big and little, with as much ease as
a Roman Catholic devotee can number the
inger-worn beads Of u familiar rosary. Mr..
Weed has been called a corrupt politician
q man who uses party power for individual
ACKNOWLEDGMENT but these charges cannOt
stand the test of an investigation conducted
by men comuetent to Judge him. He is the
maker of men, politically considered, and not
the man who seeks to make himself. \ pow
er and a voice Of counsel always consulted in
his own party, be has invariably refused to
hold positions Of official prominence or party
reward. 1t is we'll known that he was offer
ell "A cabinet position under Gen. Taylor, but
upon that occasion, as upon all Others. he
preferred the consciousness of individual pow
er 10 any public recognition of his services.
In a p%ecuui4ry point Of view. until "a recent
period, his lavish generosity in support Of
political objects knew not how to restrain
itself within the limits Of his means and
those who knew him best speak in praise
mingled with blame Of his prodiLal uuself>h-
ness. For more than thirty years in receipt
of an extended political correspondence, in
yOiyIlg secrets OF potent importance. he has
never been known under any aggrayation. 10
betray a confidence or make any injurious use
thereof. though all letters received by him
during his public life. have been reliCiouSly
preserved, % form, after his death. and IN
other hands, a key to the secret history Of
our State and times. In conversation, Mr..
appearIrr desiro15ss o3r and nd, a slow talker'
all that Is to be said. His maut,o. E
speech Is hesitating, accompanied by
the use of the fore-fnger. which
rises and falls. halts and advances. as the
carefully digested words come slowly forth.
lie is an invcterate smoker. and frequently
uses his cigar between his fingers. suitng the
action to the word, while he unfolds his
views. Opposed to Mr. Weed in politics. this
is more directly elected bv social
qualities which few VINO view him only in
public career, could believe OF appreciate.
strong social aspect is consideration,
kindness, and regard toward all young men,
appearing worthy. no matte. of what party
and we venture to say that no public man
lives. more afectionately held in respect by
rising young men Of our state for acts Of
nd and kindness than this master spirit of
our time. Slow to believe in men, once con-
vince Thurl0w that you at all deserve his con-
and you will never be insulted by any
laif measure of reliance on your faithful in
He trusts everything where he
any trust and withdraws all
where he takes back ANYTHING. In
'ur Judgment no man lives or has at
my time lived who can say that Mr.. Weed
dill a political act affecting the princi-
'Ies or Offices Of the organization to which he
: attached from any other motive than a
ieslre to subserve the best interests of his
'arty. But we will not say that individual
-ttachments may not, at times have exercis-
d a controlling influence in the disposition
him of party patronage, for we know of
10 man more strongly welded to his friends,
= more proudly contemptuous of enemies.
Adherlng to his friends with all the t%enacity
I his strong nature, no change of circum-
or fortune can withdraw his affections,
ntil he is convinced by proof addressed to
Imsell of their unworthiness. Cordially
Mr.. Weed as he strides along on his
own-town march to the old Aston. we take
%leasure in testitying. in defiance of party
ltuperatlon, that when he passes away in
ne t~ullness Of years, he will leave no larger.
or more genial spirit to take his place
n the busy stage Of human affairs.-N. Y.
WHIToF ERROR DENIED, \ JOHN BRowy
D BE itUNG DFCFNREP 0-Tba Dati.ioD Of