Ellsworth American., 1875-11-25


The sad intelligence of the death of Hen
nv Wilson, Vice-President OF the United
ted States, will be received with surprise
and profound sorrow by the whole country
The favorable reports Of last week, in re-
gard TO his health, led all TO hope and ex-
pect that he would soon recover, aud the
announcement Of his sudden death at : u
o'clock on Monday morning was unex-
pected.
Few men have occupied more promi'
nent place in the public mind for the last
thiriy-ive years than has Henry Wilson,
Few have been entitled 10 larger share o
public confidence and esteem. and fewer
still have in their life furnished brighter
example OF the possibilities atiainable un-
der New England institutions. New
Hampshire boy, reared among her granite
hills, OF poor and humble parentage, bound
out at the age OF ten years till majority,
to hard and nIggardly farmer, it would
have seemed that an adverse fate could
have done no more 10 crush or keep him
down. Yet, hny years ago. on that rough
rocky farm, unknown and unseen. save by
the all-seeing eye, the young Wilson was
working out the future OF q life. the loss OF
which to-day a whole nation mcurus His
patience, industry, and perseverance dur
ing those eleven years. formed 4 character
and developed talents which a few years
amer attracted the notice of the highest and
proudest in the land.
Henceforward, the history OF the life of
Henry Wilson is written in the history of
the country.
Perhaps his efforts in behalf OF the slave
and the laboring classes of the country
will be longest remembered, and consti-
tute the brightest page of his life.
Some Of his most eloquent words were
10 behalf OF these, and whether on the
floor of the Senate or among the most cul-
tivaied and aristocratic assemblages, he
was never ashamed Of the hard and honor
able toll OF his boyhood.
The following was his reply in Congress
10 the naughty Gov Hammond, who char
acterized the Northern laboGing men as
the mud-sills Of society
Sir | ain the son of ahireling manual labor
er. who. with the frosts of seventy winters on
hls brow, live. by daily labor" /, too. have
lived by dsily labor l. too. have been hire
ling manual sborer.' Poverty cast lis dark and
chilling shadow over the home Of nv child
hood; and want was sometimes there-an un-
hidden guest. At the age OF ten years-to aid
him who gave me being in keeping the gsunt
spectre from the hearth Of the mother " no bore
mel left the home Of INV boyhood. and went
Fa-rh saa nv uA bg oil laian
Again. himself a working man, how tor
chile. even pathetic. are these words ad-
dressed 10 his fellow-ciiizens of New
Hampshire =
Il feel that nave right 10 speak for toll
ing and TO tolllng men. l was born here in
YOUR county of Straford. / was born in pow
erty; want sat by my cradle. ! know what it
i 10 ask a mother for bread when she has none
TO give. left my home when ten wears Of age,
and served an apprentic sship Of eleven wears
receiving months schooling each, and, at the
end Of eleven years of hard work, yoke OF
oxen and six sheep, which brought me eighty
four dollars. Eighty-four dollars for eleven
wears of hard toll, l never spent the amour,
of one dollar in money, counting every penny
from the time | was born until was q YEAR
Of age. ! know what it is TO travel weary
miles and ask my fellow men TO give me leave
10 toll"
men have 10 endure in this world. and every
pulsation Of my heart, every conviction of my
judgment, every aspiration of my soul, puts
ne on the side of the toiling men OF my cOun.
uy-ay, Of all countries. The first month
worked after l was twenty-one years Of age.
went into the woods, drove team, elt mill logs
wood. rose in the morning before daylight snl
worked hard until after dark at night. and
received for il the magnificent sum of six dol
lars. Each Of those dollars looked ss large tC
me as the moon looked tonight"
Such was the man, whose death the peo
pie of the country to-day deplore; and i
is fitting that when the great and good lik,
him pass away. that We should be mindful
Of the lessons taught by his life, and pay
tribute to the memory of one whose integ
rity OF character, pure and noble efforts
endeared him to the hearts of tie people.