The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-14

kingdom under Russian protection.
TharIew Weed and HE Successes.
Some men are popularity supposed to have
como into the world with Q silver spoon In
their mouths" and Fortune and the god of
rogues, as their sponsors. Everything they
touch 10 converted into gold or its equivalent
in greenback. But this silver spoon Except
probably In the cass Of General Butler) is only
natural shrewdness and knowing whom to SOW
and when to gather In the harvest, when to
invest and when to back out of shaky con-
Germ. The greater number OF our successful
men in politics. liter nature, commerce and traffic
have made their fortunes through such means.
Conspicuous among them is Thurlow Weed,
who'e versatility and extraordinary success in
divers ways Of making living are indisputs-
be. Some of his ventures were of the most
risky kiad, but they turned out successful in
the enL
In the d,ys Of "the good old Wing party"
to quote the language of the venerable Fl. G.,
1hurlow Weed was political State barber and
hung out his parti-colorei pole under the
shadow of tn State capitol. Thiher resorted
oil the leading politicians of the day, and the
astute shaver lullad them with his persuasive
eloqueRce as he removed the brisiles from
their chins. But In shampooing and cropping
the locks Of power from the heads of some
of those political Samsons, T. W. was per-
feet Dslillh in breeches. AS his BARRIERS
shop was not self-supportng, he charged each
of his customers the usual amount, preferring,
however, 10 take 1t out in trade. The barber's
shop drove a stirring business, and the pro-
prie!or waxsd mighty and great in the land.
We must not pass over his fierce denunciations
OF Masonry and his ilen. ihcaion with the party
opposed to the alleged influence in public
affairs of the order of Free and Accepted
Masons Here fortune stood to him again,
and pushed him into the Legislature, where
success WAS ever in atten lance on him, par
tioularly in committee rooms. In the latter
resorts his tonsorial abilities stood him in good
stead Few of his fellow members escaped
his razor and lobby soap. Then came his con-
nection with the Albany Journal, and for many
years he was like The little joker-"now you see
him now you don't see him." Another ex-
ample Of his business talents was shown at the
commencement Of the rebellion. The govern
ment wanted q dozen or more store ships
to be anchored off Fortress Monroe. MIR. Weed,
fred with patriotism, stepped boldly forward
to the rescue Of his country and produced the
necessary vessels. To be sure, they were not
new, and old age had come upon them with
evident symptom, of palsy and decay. But the
patrio ism Of Mr.. Weed stopped at no obstacles,
and he presented the ships as an offering on
the altar Of liberty, merely charging sufnoient
brokerage to pay expenses. We pass over his
services 10 the government, In presenting 1t
with the ship Roman and the steamer Cataline,
for q trifing consideration. But even these
acts Of patriotism did not escape the sneers of
ill-natured people, and hints were thrown out
that bran new ships could be bought for half
the money charged for brokerage, and that the
ship Roman was tub and the Catalina o con-
spirator against the safety Of those on board.
But Mr. Weed folded his arms and looked
down on the cavaliers with sovereign contempt
His untiring efforts in behalf of free wool and
free whiskey are recorded on the pages Of the
history of his country. But the browning sue
cess of his life has been in the ironcad business.
The Japanese government, to be sure, grum-
bled about some transactions they had with
parties in this country about iron-clads which
they paid for and which turned out to be shaky
old hulks; and the United States government
had to compromise matters by presenting the
ram Stonewali to them. The Japanese, how
ever, did not specify any one in particular in
the iron-clai trade, and the ex-barber soon
found himself on the top Of the wheel Of for
tune. After plotting the Dunderberg through
the Narrows, on her way to France, with set
of resolutions, in one Of which he says he cannot
spare Mr.. Webb away very long, perhaps
because there are more iron-clads wanted, Mr..
Weed may be reg ,rded in the iron-clad business
a. Knox among hatters, or Brewster among
coach repositories A large aud varied assert
ment of iron-clads, or wooden vessels strongly
resembling them, is. always on. hand at his
establishment. Governments and individuals
supplied at reasonable rates. Old iron-clads
taken In exchange.
Earl Russell tho Irish Church.
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