The Greenville enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1870-1873, 1872-01-03
I 44sfIASwRiaHT.V
sYsEx dovEkNoK p. II. PERRY

siphCu kAIuauy WullSC Dlla6
Wright was Governor of New
York, and carried a letter of in.
production to him from Joel r.
Poinsett. ] called to see him at
his residence, and was much
pleased with him. HE manners
and Conversation were SO natural,
pleasing and cheerful, that / was
quite captivated. Z He possessed the
tairest mind in debate and in con-
vefeati5n that l ever knew, and it
was as lucid ais it was fair and hon.
est" / have never seen any one
else, who could express his views
and opinions in reference to, any.
things witlTso much clearness and
'exphcithess. : No one who ever
heard him speak Or converse, was
ever left in doubt as to his mean
ing or'purpose. He exhausted
every subject that he discussed
lie was indeed, "a man of the great
est ability. As a statesman, he
was honest, pnselfish and unambi-
tions. "gi All he high. positions
which he held in New York were
thrust on him. He received the
nomination Of Vice President,
with James X. Polk for President,
which Tie promptly declined. He
was a devoted friend of IresideLt
Van Buren,, and labored for him
most disinterestedly through life.
In his person he was stout and
fine looking, but his face gave un.
mistakable evidence of his beset.
ting sin. '., p. "7a' '.'''
L had inst returned from a tour
through Canada, when / met Gov.
ernor Wright in Albany. In
speaking of the British forces in
those Provinces, which he had seen
there the preceding summer, he
remarked that he witnessed a cir
cnmstance characteristic of the
English government, which made
a deep impression on his mind. -
He carried a letter of introduction
to the commanding General, who
was an officer of great distinction,
and a most venerable looking old
gentleman. They were taking a
walk one day together, when they
met a very young officer to whom
the General seemed most unbe.
comingly obsequions in his saluta.
lion. Governor Wright was in.
formed that this ensign, was a sprig
OF nobility, and hence the Difference
paid him by this venerable officer,
his commanding General.
In speaking of the tariff, Govern.
or Wright said that if the necessa.
ry duties for revenue were not suf.
ficient protection, il showed clear.
ly that the article ought not to be
manufactured i'm the United States.
He had the simplicity of true
greatness. Whilst United States
Senator, living in the upper part
OF the State, a gentleman visited
him, and found him with his coat
off, rolling into his cellar, with a
wbeel-barrow, his crop of cabbages,
preparatory to his departure for
Washington. aaL 2ta.5,,-4g
Mr.. Poinsett informed me that
lie once visited the residence of
Governor Wright in company with
President Van Buren,. His house
was arsmall cottage, and afforded
only accommodation for the Pres
ident. Mr. Poinsett went. 10 the
hotel in the village. 1t was said
that Wright was a ,protege of Van
Buren,. He made bis acquaint-
ance on the lakes, perceived his
extraordinary capacity, and
brought him forward, in life.--
Hence the great devotion of
Wright TO him. l remember see.
ing aSlettef from Van gBuren to
Mr.. Poinsett, when Wright was
nominated for Governor of New
York. Ole istated that they had
+" forced him into harness" against
Wright's wishes, in order to make
sure OF the election. Had Gov
ernor Wrightlived, be would have
been, in all probability, President
OF the United States. His great
abilities, honesty and patriotism,
were universally acknowledged.
Mr. Calhoun did not like,him, and
when lis death was announced to
him at old Pendleton, his only re-
mark was, Z" Burnt cot a. last.n It
is amazing that q great man like
Silas Wright, With pure and un.
selfish character, and a mind as
clear as crystal, with a judg.
ment almost nnerrihg, should des.
troy lis talents and himself by in-
dulgence in habit which he
knows to be fatal.a But alas, It is