Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-02-16

.he ideal Of Massachusetts, arsocracy but he wanted
that clear insight into actual events which early pow
ery and labor had given to bis antagonist His sympa-
thes in the great labor question u the land were with
the graceful and cultivated arstocras rather than the
clumsy uneainy aborcr and he but protested the feel
ng Of all arsocrats ia saying the outset Of his po-
litical life, while Wilson yet a child that in the
event Of scryic nsurrccton, be would be among the
first to shoulder a muskot to defend tho masters. But
the great day OF the Lord was at hand. The events
which since have uurolcd in ERE and blood had begun
their inevitable course and the plain working man was
taken by the hand of Providence towards the high placer
where he, with other working men, should shape tho
destiny Of the labor question for This age and for all
ages.
Wilson west to Washington in the very heat and fen
y0r Of that conflict which the gigantic Gddngs, with III
great body and unaiucHng courage, said to a friend
to him scvcrcr trial e human nerve than th
facing Of cannon and bullets The slave aristocacy ha
down In great wrath as II knowing that It's Tim
was short The Senate chamber rung with their oatl
and curses as they tore and ragged like wild beasts again
those whom neither their Establishments nor their threat
could subduc. Wilson brought them his face Of scrcr
good nature his vigorous stocky frame which had ncv,
seen III health, and in which the nerves yet
undiscovered region. 1t was entirely useless to bull
or to threaten, or to caole that honest good-humorc
immovabc man. who stood like a rock n their way, and
took all their fury as uncouscously rock takes
foam Of breaking waves Ia every anti-slaycry NOV
ment he was always foremost perfectly awake, perfect
wcnformed, and with that hardy practical, husin,
knowledge Of men and things which from his
education prepared TO work out into actual forms VIII
Sumner gave ont as splendid theories.
Wilson'S impression the Senate was not main i
that Of an orator. His speeches free from O. o
articles Of rhetoric as those Of Lincoln, but they
distinguished for the weight and abundance Of the pra
ucal information and good sense which they contant
lie never spoke on a subject I'LL he had made hims
infinitely acquainted with it in oil its parts, and was
curatoy familiar with all that belonged to it, Not CIV
John Quincy Adams or Charles sumner could show
more perfect knowledge Of what they were talking abo
than Henry Wilson. Whatever extraneous stores
knowledge and bellies lctres may have been possess
By any Of his associates no man the floor Of the st
ate could know more OF the United States Of ABie,
than he and what was wanting in the gracos Of the
ator or the refncmcnts Of the rhotorican n
made amends for in the steady irresistible strong trt
Of the honest man, determined 70 accomplish wori
purpose.
Wilson became chairman Of the Military Commit.
Of the Senate In 1861 aud it fortunate for the cou,
try when the sudden storm Of the war broke upon s,
that so strong hand held this helm. General Sc tt
said that he did more work in the frt three months
the war than had been done in his position before n
twenty years. and Secretary Cameron attributed ne
salvation OF Washington in those carly days mainly to
Henry Wilson's power Of doing the apparently impo l.
BE in getting the Northern armies into the field in tae
20 meet the danger.
His recently published account Of what Congress is
done destroy slavery is history which living
better fitted to write. No could be i
nutely acquainted with the facts more capable Of tracing
effects to causes and thus capable Of erecting this mi
ishasle monument to the honor Of his country.
1t Is meet that the poor, farmbound apprentice, the
shoemaker Of Natck should thus chronicle the u At
history Of the dcycrance Of labor from disgrace in is
democratic nation
May God grant in this hour Of reconstruction that Cur
great in Congress may read Alright the meaning Of
their standing in such high places
The poor white Of the South, deprived by an artist Go
racy Of every advantage Of education, alone impair
lied unrendei, has been led by Gods right hand to
the chief seat Of power to judgment between ,c
great aboring class of the South and their former
tiers. The poor white Of the North stands in n
gross for his support and may hope that such
men, with such preparation, working on our count s
desnes, will not fail be discouraged till they We
made in America the ideal democracy Of Scion, -
namely, state where injury to the mcanest mem r.
is felt ali injury to the whole