Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-02-16
MEN OF OUR TIMES.
Written for the WArcHMAN & RrrlrcroR by Mrs.
IIAnnEr BEEumn SrowE.
HENRY WILSON.

1T Is interesting to notice how, in the recent struggle
that has conyulscd country and tried republican
institutions so many Of the men who have held the
working have been representative u the poo
pie. To great cxtcnt they have been who have
grown up with no other carly worldly advantages than
those which democratic republic offers every citizen
born upon her soil. Lincoln and johnson from the
slave states, n. p. Banks and Henry Wilson iu che
free, may hc called The peculiar Of democracy.
That hard Spartan mother trained them early her
black broth to her fltgues, and wrcstings and wateh
ings; and gave them their shields entering the bait
lie Of lie with only the Spartan mothers brief, With
this 90 or upon this"
Native force and democratic institutions raised lin
coin and johnson the highest in the nation, and
to no mean scat among the nations Of the earth and
the Same forces Boz Massachusetts, caused that state in
an hour OF critical battle for the great principles Of
democratic liberty 90 choose Henry wilson, the SELF
taught fearless shocmakcrs apprentice Of Natok
the head Of che gifted and graceful Everett the darling
Of foreign COURTS the representative Of an the ideas and
training which transmitted arstocrauc ideas have yet
leh in Boston aud Cambridge. Il was an a part and
parcel Of thc magnificent drama which has been acting
on the stage Of this country for the hope and consoa
ton Of al who born 20 labor and poverty in an me-
tons Of tho world.
Henry Wilson, our present Uuitcd States senator
was born az Pennington y. H., February 10, 1912, Of
very poor PARENTS At the age Of ten he was bound to
a farmer tl ho was twontyonc. Here he had the usual
lot Of farm boy plain, abundant food, coarse cloth
ing ince work. and few weeks schooling At the
district school in winter.
In these ten years Of toll, the boy by twilight fro
light and Sundays had read over one thousand vol
umes Of history. rco-arhv. biography and general lit
erature borrowed from the school libraries and from
those Of generous individuals.
At ,wcuiy-onc be was his own master - TO begin the
world and Ia looking his inventory for starting In
lie. flHnd o sound and healthful body, and a mind
trained Co reflection hy solitary thought lie to
Nauck, Mlsa 70 leans the trade Of shoemaker at
which, working two years he saved enough money 60
attend tho academy at Stafford, Concord, and VOLS
borough n. a. But the with whom he had de
posted bis herd earnings became nsolyent; the money
he had toed long Tor vanished and he was obliged
10 leave his Studies go back Natek and make more.
Undiscourc.d De resolved still TO pursue his object
uniting Il with his daily toll. lie formed debating
cetv among tho young mechanics Of the place invcs-
tieated SUBJECTS read wrote aud spoke on an the sub
ieots Of the day, the spirit within him gave him
utterancc Among his fellow mechanics some others
were cnkindicd by his influence, and now holding
high places ia the literary and diplomatic worll
In 1870 Young wilson came forward public speak.
e. He engaged in the Harrison election campaign and
made sixty speeches in about four months and was
lie was then elected the Massachusetts legislature as
representative from Natiek.
Having entered life on the workingman's side, and
known by Dis own experience the workngmans trials
Temptations and hard struggles. he felt the sacredness
Of poor mans labor, and began his public with
heart to take the part Of the tong and the oppressed
or course he was quick feel that the great question
Of our time the question Of labor and its rights and
rewards He was quick to feel the "iIrepressibe con-
fict" which Seward happily designated, between the
two modes Of society existing in America, and TO know
that they must fight and struggle till Of them hrot-
lied and Killed the other and prompt feel this, he
made his early election live die the side Of the
laborng poor, whose most oppressed type was the
African slave.
In the legislature, he introduced motion against the
extension Of slave territory and in 1915 went with
Whittier to Washington with the remonstanee Of Mas
sachusetts against the admission Of Texas slave
state.
When the Wing party became inefficient in the cause
Of liberty through too much Difference the slave pow
CT, Henry Wilson left it, and became Of the most
energetic and efficient organizers in forming the FREQ
Soil party Of Massachusetts In its interests, he bought
daily paper In Boston, which for some time he edec
with great ability
Meanwhile be rose to one step Of honor after another
in his adopted state he became president Of the Mas
saehusetts Sczatc and ultimately sent TO take the
place of the accomplished Everett in the United State
Senate
His election was a sturdy triumph Of principle. Hi
had every advantage Of birth and breeding
every grace which early leisure constant culture ans
the most pcrscvcrng, conscientious sefeducaton eoul'
afford He was in graoes OF person, manners and mind
tCoaiislod merit Page.)