New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-24


| l lent my money to a man in Boston. and went 10
| the Academy AT Concord N. ii. l had been there
| only siy three u months when the man to whom
had intrusted nv fortune failed and lost 1t all
vas an reduced that although owed for two or
three weeks board, absolutely unable 10 pay
IT, or even to take letter from the Pos-Ohce without
borrowing money to pay the postage But irienu
invited me TO remain and board with him, and pay
him when was able. So stayed through the term,
and in the Winter earned money enough TO pay MN
by teaching school. Now the men who are working
al shoemaking 10 hours a day, and earning from ~
TO 50 day, complain"
Mr.. Wilson in his speeches sometimes referred TO
the events of his early life and on one memorable
occasion he did so most eloQuenty. In 1858, in re-
ply 70 the famous "muds" speech of Cow Ham
mond Of South Carolina, he said
"Sir am the son of a hireling manual laborer,
who with the frosts of seventy Winters on his brow,
lives by daily labor. l too have lived by dahy
labor too have been n hireling manual laDorer.
Poverty east its dark and chilling shadow over inc
home of my childhood and want was sometimes
thcre-an unbidden guest. At the age OF ten years
70 aid him who gave me being in keeping the gaunt
epecter from the hearth of the mother who bore
mel left the home of my boyhood and went 1orth
TO earn my bread by daily labor"
When Mr.. Wilson was q student at Concord, John
r IN.
Senate was one Of his most intimate classmates and
the friendship then formed continued unbroKen 10
the hour of the vce-Presidents death During his
last sickness Mr. French has been untiring IN his
care and attention and has left nothing undone for
his comfort OF relief When Mr. Wilson, as student
in the Concord Academy first learned of his hnanciai
loss he was greatly depressed and discouraged. lie
invited Mr. French TO walk with him. and wheh
they reached a piece of woods he entirely proAe
down. and with tears in his eyes disclosedthe news
Ii was not for the loss of the money that cared but
he believed that his prospects for success III lie had
been completely bghted. 1t was while Mr. Wilson
was at Concord that he made his first anti-slavery
speech. The Southern question was at that iime De
ginning TO interest a considerable class OF the peo-
ple of New-Eng gland and many Of the young men at
the Academy had already become enthusiastic ADO
litionsts Mr. Wilson was not one of them, his am
hilton being to win an honorable position III the
GREAT Wing party. and while his sympathies were
naturally aroused for the oppressed coored race lie
bestated about identifying himself with move
ment which at that time was far from popular AL
length an Anti-Slavery Convention was called 10
meet at Concord to which the students at the Acad-
emy were invited to send delegates. AT the meeting
held for the choice of these Mr.. wilson was
not present but Mr.. French. who was one OF the
most active Abotionists in the school, without CON
shifting him. nominated his TREND and he was cho-
sen. Arter much persuasion Mr.. Wilson was induced
10 90 10 the Convention with Mr.. French, who TOOK
him into one of the front seats of the church In
which il was held. The most important question
discussed was resolution of censure of John Quincy
Adams then a Representative i'll Congress from Mas
sachusetts Though he opposed to the legisla-
tion asked for by the AbOlitOnists the destruction
of slavery in the District of Columbia and In the
Territories) Mr.. Adams was the champion OF the
right of petition which Congress, in order to Keep
the troublesome subject out of the public de-
bates had undertaken to abridge. Mr.. Wilson,
who was an ardent admirer of Mr.. Adams, did
not think that he deserved the ccnsrre pro-
poSed and became so much interested III the
debate that he finally sprang TO his feet and took the
Goor in opposition to the resolution. His speech was
an able, stirring appeal which surprised everybody
who heard il. While the question was under con-
slderation the stage from Boston arrived, and tall
Young man of striking personal presence wearing a
surtout covered with dust, climbed down from ITS
Ton entered the church and took back seat AS
soon as Mr. Wilson stopped speaking this yonng
man arose and very eloquently supported his view
of the question When asked to announce his name,
he said it was Wendell Phillips. This compliment
had 90 great an effect upon vOung Wilson that he at
once became very enthusiastic AbOlitiOnist.
D. W.