The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-26
THE LATE SENATOR Will IAN WRIGHT, OF
NEW JErSSEY
spscCh of Hon. Alexander G. COttcII, Tn
the United stateg senate, December 10,

ten obtained the floor, and said;-
Mr. President, am painfully oppressed with
the reflection that the fret words which u
becomes my duty to utter In this Chamber must
be words Of sadness, such as are oehttlng tne
announcement Just made by my Colleapue, thaV
death has again invaded the Senatorial circle.
You have listened to the official announce
ment that Senator William Wright, oil New
Jersey lie no more. He closed a long, active,
and honorable life on the lst day of November
last, in his own home, in the city OF Newark,
where he had lived for nearly halt q century
surrounded by his family and friends, minis.
tered TO in his last hours by those he loved
best on earth, and sustained in MS passage
through "the dark valley" by the consultations
Of the Christians laith. -.
knew him more intimately than du' nas
spoken so fully and in such fitting terms ta9I 9
there is little left for me but to express my tull M
accord ia all the kindly words whlch nc mas
II has already been said that Mr.. Wright was
a business man. a merchant, ana manufacturers,
a., Iorge class whose enterprise and energy
have done so much to develop the resources
and promote the prosperity OF our great coun-
try. He was self-made man, the architect of
his own fortune, and throughout long business
life, in which he accumulated his large fortune,
be exhibited the leading traits OF a true mer-
chant, intelligence and integrity, combined with
industry and energy.
New Jersey, the State OF his adoption, honored
him with the highest positions within her gift,
having twice elected him to a seat in this body,
and can bear testimony TO his fidelity To the
principles and measures Of the political party
which invested him with official power. ! had
not the honor to serve with him in the Senate,
but am sure he brought to the disch Tge of
his duties there sound and discriminating
mind, with a store of valuable information in
regard to the trade and commerce and manu-
taCtures OF the nation which could not be other
wise than useful and important to the Sen lte
apN1 tha inf1i IN In hp for Won
occupied of chairman OF the Senate Committee
on Manufactures. ......
l am aware that during his long senatorial
career he never ventured 10 enter the arena OF
debate in this Chamber am not surprised at
this. Mr.. Wright was naturally modest man,
virtue not so common in these latter days as
to be altogether despised. He made no claims
to facility in the forms of speech Merchants
and men OF business are seldom men of many
words. They are usually men of actions, of
deeds. They write their thoughts in the endur-
ing monuments of great enterprises which mark
nations progress in her onward march to
higher civilization,
The active, earnest, stirring life of business
man, with its engrOssing cares and manifold
anxieties, especially in this country where the
brain is always run 10 its maximum capacity,
affords no time to cultivate the flowers of rhetoric
or the graces of elocution. If you would have
facility in the forms of speech, readiness and
efficiency in debate, with the power Of eloquence
and the graces of oratory,
you must look for those high attainments in the
learned professions to which the scholars and
men of culture of our land so naturally gravitate.
But If you would originate enterprises of great
pth and moment" if you would open up inter
course with lar distant lands, with Ethiopia and
the islands of the sea, and widen the boundaries
OF your Christian civilization, you must then
look to the men OF action, the men who control
Your trade and commerce and send their white
winged messengers into every sea under the
heavens, carrying the Bible and the missionary
to the ut:ermost parts OF The earth.
A. Nay, more, if you would put girdle about
lightning as the courier of your thoughts and
wishes through 1.-The dark untathomed caves of
ocean" from continent to continent in the
twinkling OF an eye, you must call from the
Counting-room the lndomitable WILL the sleep
less energy, and the sublime faith OF an Amerl-
can merchant to perform the service.
If then, the fact be admitted that my late
colleague hesitated to engage in the discussions
of this august body, let 1t be remembered that
his busy life afforded neither time nor oppor-
tunity Tor training in this direction. He studied
men rather than books; and l am sure acknO "
ledging the value even in this Chamber OF such
knowledge as he possessed, you will appreciate
the modesty, and approve rather than condemn
the motives which impelled him, in such pre-
sence as this, TO remain silent
That MIR. Wright was kind hearted, courte-
Gus gentleman, scrupuously regardful of all
the proprieties of domestic, social. and public
life, the Senate and all who knew him will bear
Os
without c stain. He enjoyed the respect and
confidence OF the people with whom he lived so
long; and occupied a prominent place in the
business community in which he moved. He
lived to a good old age, having passed the aIot-
ted years of threesoOre and ten, and now "he
rests from his labors.n
And here, perhaps, having paid my tribute OF
respect TO my departed colleague, | should pause.
But the Senate will indulge me in a single re-
Election. -Four times during the current year
The angel OF death has thrown its shadow over
this Hall. Collamer and Foot, and Lane and
Wright have fallen at their post of duty. And
shall we not draw from these lessons, following
each other in such rapid succession, fresh admo-
ntions that we,Gtoo, are mortsl that senatorial
robes are as vulnerable TO the shafts of death as
And gathering instruction and wisdom from
these solemn events-remembering that life is
short and duty pressing.
and our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still like muffled drums are beating
Funeral marches to the graYe,''
shall we not draw therefrom fresh motives for
renewed activity and zeal In the performance Of
the g1aVe duties that lie before us, and in view
not only of the brevity of human life, but also
OF the uncertain tenure by which it is held, be
ied TO adopt the invocation of the Psalmst 80
teach us to number our days that we may apply
our hearts unto wisdomm
An unpublished Letter from General
Washington Interesting Political
History.
The following letter from General Washington.
says the incinnati Enquirer, has never been
Published. 1t contains some interesting items
of political history, bearing upon the adoption
of the present Constitution of the United States
II was written shortly after the adjournment OF
the Convention which framed that instrum ent,
and before 1t was ratified by the several States.
Ii is noticeable from the TACT that General
WnghinptOn hpIinVnn m