The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-06-12
Hon. Henry Wilson

Mr.. Forney, in his sketches of Prominent
Men, gives the following interesting and
accurate outline of individual history in
the case of Senator Wilson:
Henry Wilson, our candidate for Vice
President, is fine example of the effect of
free institutions upon the struggling youth
of America, and also proof of the prac-
tical consistency of the Republican party.
have known him well for over seventeen
years. Twelve months younger than Mr..
Sumner, he has always been his friend,
even when compelled to differ with him.
Wilson is one of the men who wear well.
Time and trial improve and ripen them.
No day passes that they do not learn some-
thing.
met him while was presiding over the
House of Representatives in the stormy
session of lS55-'56, and had chance to
study his character. He saw that the time
was coining when Democrats like myself
would be compelled to choose between lib
erty and slavery, and his anxiety to secure
such reinforcement to his party was shown
in his kindness to and confidence in that
brave and earnest body of men. And when
the storm broke, in 1858, and Buchanan
sought to force the Lecompton constitution
upon Kansas, Henry Wilson threw himself
with especial fervor' among the revolving
Democrats. He consulted with us and en-
couraged us; he travelled far and near to eE-
feet cooperation and organization; and when
my name was presented for Clerk of the
House, in 1859, he insisted that l should be
elected without pledges.
These had been demanded by some of
the more violent Republicans, and sternly
refused. did not ask for the place, and
would not have touched it if it had inter-
fered with my independence as editor of
the Press. Wilson declared that l was
right and with the aid of Charles Francis
Adams, John Hickman, John B. Haskin,
and John Schwartz, we organized the
House, and soon after the anti-Lecompton
Democrats constituted a resstless Republi-
can reserve. Henry Wilson is superb or
ganizer. His temperate life and high
principles, his fine health and strong con-
victions. his knowledge of the prejudices
and wants of men, made him great pow
er against the rebellion, as well in the
army as at the head of the committee on
military affairs. The amount of work he
performed was prodigious. He was real
break-of-day mana sleepless, untiling,
and unmurmuring patriot. A little too
impulsive perhaps, his is one Of the trucst
of hearts-warm, generous, and forgivng.
His frugal habits accord with his strict in
tegrity. He is inexpensive in his tastes and
desires, and lives among his books and his
friends. He visits great deal, and reads
much. Active and quick, regularly in his
seat in the Senate, he is often seen on the
Avenue and in society, though he never
touches wine or cigars. He is thorough
common-sense man, and a natural medium
between quarreling friends. His blows are
for the enemy; his forgiveness for his asso-
ciates. He hates corruption as he hated
slavery, and he will go far to punish faith
less trustee. Such is our candidate for Vice
President. Is he not an argument in him
self? Especially so when we reflect that
this man worked for the lowest wages as a
boy ona farm, and began to learn shoemak-
ing when he was twenty-one years of age!