Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-11-26
DEATH OF VICE PRESIDENT WILSON.

OEt1d OF NlCE- L iSESiDbcl w AA~oO->'
Another good man has left US for bet
ter world. Vice President Henry Wilson
died al Washington city, on Monday
morning last, the particulars of which will
be found in another part of this paper. As
a rule the death of a great man, be he au-
thor or soldier or statesman, shocks and
surprises the people among whom he lived.
but arouses 10 deep feeling, no really
heartfelt sorrow. The present generation
has seen more prominent and good men
pass away than probably any other that
has ever lived. As we recall the names OF
CLAY. Webster, Lincoln and many others
whose history will live through all gene
rations to core, we are now called upon to
add another to the list of departed States
men. The career Of Henry Wilson was
noble and deserving of imitation. A poor
lad, he learned what was esteemed hum
bic trade, and was never ashamed of it. BY
assiduous application, he acquired the ru-
diments of an education, and read and
studied. as opportunity Offered, till he en-
tered into public life. As q legislator. in
Massachusetts, and member Of Congress,
Senator and Vice President, he was ever
faithful to his sense OF right. He swerved
fIorn his party, only on moral questions.
In early life, before the anti-slavery move
ment assumed the definite and aggressive
form which it did in after years, be was a
Free Soiler. interested in behalf of human
freedom. He was one Of the earliest mem
bers of the Republican party. Within the
psrty he has always been ou The side OF
right measures and pure principle, c,--chari-
table toward those who strayed from the
fold, and willing to yield to them. $" far as
he consistently ht.--seekng at ali times,
to harmonize, and, at the same time, TO
elevate the party TO q higher and better
plane. Whatever may De said of the wis
dom of Lis methods, the spirit and aim of
Henry Wilson, particularly during the last
years of his life, can only be commended.
He was also active in moral reforms
aside from politics. He Was an active
originator and promoter of the Congress
sional Temperance Society, which did so
much. particularly during the war, toward
promoting sobriety among members OF
Congress l. required decided moral cour-
age 10 enter upon such work. The war.
with it. eyciteDents and turmoil, stimula-
ted drinking habits, and the presence of
large army in Washington gave special
impetus TO intemperauce in that city.
There were Senators aud msmbers. pos
se.sed Of great intellectual power, ~ho be.
came confirmed Inebriates. At last Wrson
and others formed the Temperance Society
mentioned. and many were reformed
II is uotiDcable, zoo. TIM, in a long and
hone.-,oie career bis hands we're free from
ufioes. and he goes TO his grave leaving
but little property to surviving relatives.
He ably, zealously, honestly and purely
filled position of high honor and great
trust. The colleague of Charles Sumner,
he was not dwarfed BY the great powers of
that able statesman, but made himself felt
and respected as his colleague and official
equal. Less eccentric than bis colleague.
. more uniform aud equal, be did the
'0iN Mt fell TO him vita cheerful readi- |
""u WIS ~9ually honOred and respect- |
- a. nome. Ii has always seemed strange
'Uai his brilliant colleague WI "no'n ne
haiheslnef PRESUMABLY Fr,cnhy ana ihti-
male rv-aiip1s shpuH. s-,nt been swcrVed |
from the support of ;he ticket, on which
Wilson Was candidate, by his dislike Of
Grant
Ii viii n'g De gratefully remembered.
that toe Republican party conferred on
Ar. Wilson next 10 the highest Office in
IFS giit. aud that he enjoyed Its emouments
and honUrs. There were many reasons
which led 10 his selection that were persori-
ally complimentary TO man. lie was
faithful 10 the party when Greeley, SUM
Der, and others, who were among the anti
slavery leaders, were coyertly turning over
10 the Democracy uader the guise of Lib
eralism. He had been faithful, during the
lark days of the war. He was. from the ,
inception of the party, one of its most
auhful adherents. He was not the most
iseful man the party had, but there seem
ID to be kind of poetic justice in reward {
ng his fidelity at a time when others, from
whom better things we're expected, were
lniaithful. He has performed the duties
)i his high position rs well as health would
Iermit, and now that be has passed away,
can be truthfully said of him, that be
vas faithful 10 his conscience, bis party, ,
lis country, and his God. We'll done, I
,Ood and faithful servant"