Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1860-05-05
THE DEMOCRAT,
P. A. ROY, Editor.
Death Of Ex-Governor silas Wright. Of
New York.

In NiCo S"'AIh'y, dt TIC cdl y aye Ol
fifty-two, and without the sufferngs 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 MUSICIAN was
called: in two hours he was dead-apO-
plexy the cause. Though dying at the
age deemed young in statesman, he
! had attained all that long life could give
high office, national fame, fixed char
acter, and universal esteem. He had
run the career Of honors in the State of
New IorI-becn Representative and
| Senator in Congress-and had refused
more Offices, and higher, than he ever
accepted. He refused cabinet appoint
] ments under his fast friend, Mr.. Van
Buren, and under Mr.. Polk, whom he
may be said to have elected: he refused
q seat on the bench of the federal Su-
preme Court; he rejected instantly the
nomination of 1874 for Vice President
of the United States, when that nomina-
/ tlon 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; and of
those he did accept, 1t mi ght well be
said they were 'thrust upon him
Office, not greatness, was thrust upon
him. He was born great, and above
office, and unwiIingly descended to it;
and only took it for its buthens, and to
satisfy an importunate public demand.
Mind, manners, morals, temper, habits,
united in him to form the character that
was perfect, both in public and private
life, and to give the example of a patri-
otto cltiZen-of u farmer statesman-of
which we have read in Cincinnatus and
Cato, and seen in Mr. Macon, and some
others OF their stamp-created by ma
ture-formed in no school: and of which
the instances arc SO rare and long be-
tween.
His mind was clear and strong, his
Judgment solid, his elocatie44 smooth and
equable, his speaking always addressed
to the understanding, and always en-
chaining the attention of those who had
minds to understand Grave reasoning
was his forte. Augmentation was al
ways the line Of his speech. He spoke
to the head, not to the passions; and
would have been disconnected to have
seen any body laugh, or cry, at any
thing lie said. His thoughts evolved
spontaneously, in natural and proper
order, clothed in language of force and
clearness; all so naturally and easily
conceived that an extemporanecus
speech, or the first draught of an intri-
cate report, had all the correctness of a
finished composition. His manuscript
had no blots-a proof that his mind had
none; and he wrote neat, compact
hand, suitable to a clear and solid mind.
He came into the Senate in the begin
ming of General Jacksoll's adminstra-
ton, and remained during that of Mr..
' an Buren,; and took a ready and ac-
tive part mall the great debates of those
cventful times. The ablest speakers of
the opposition always had to answer
him; and when he answered them, they
showed by their anxious concern, that
The adversary was upon them whose
force they dreaded most. Though taking
lis full part upon all subjects, yet
finance was his particular department,
always chairman of that committee
when his party was in power, and by
he lucidity of his statements making
plain the most intricate moneyed de-
ails. He had just conception of the
Inference between the functions of the
nance committee of the Senate, and
he committee of ways and means of
lie House-so little understood in these
after times: those of"thc latter founded
n the prerogative Of the House to origi-
late all revenue bills; those of the for
ner to act upon the propositions from
ne House, without originating meas
Tres which might affect the revenue, so
IS to coerce either its increase or pre-
7ent It's reduction. In 1874 he left the
senate, to stand for tie governorship of
New York; and never did his seIfsacri-
icing temper undergo stronger trial
n submit to greater sacrifice. He
liked the Senate: he disliked the Cover
lorslip, even to absolute repugnance. ,,
But it was said to him (aud truly, as !!
hen believed, and afterwards proved) I,
hat the State would be lost to AIr. Polk,
lnless Mr. Wright was associated with Z
i'm in the canvass: and to this argu-
nent he yielded. He stood the canvass
or the governorship-carried it-and I
Dr. Polk with him; and saved the Pres S
Dental election of that year. /
Judgment was the character of Mr.. E
Vright's mind: purity the quality of {
he heart Though valuable iu the field I
f debate, he was still more valued at {
he council table. where sense and hon i
sty are most demanded. General Jack {
on and Mr.. Van Buren relied upon him !
s one of their safest counsellors. A {
andor which knew no guile-an integ- {