, 1875-12-11
The Late yice-Presideni.

man IN the JHlleA ota't-- II CAl
hardly be claimed for him that he had
more than that generous share OF
native talent whitehall to very many
men. lie certainly had no exceptional
ability except for hard and pro,racted
labor. lie had no eloluence Of speech
except tlueucy and earnestness. His
voice had no music, his manner no
grace, his expression no charm. lie
never could draw a crowd TO = poil,i-
ca! meeting until he had established 4
reputation for having something TO
say. As an orator be was not 10 be
comrared to Nathaniel p. Banks, who
was his contemporary and rival IN the
DAYS when both were striving TO catch
the public eve. In fact let an ordinary
audience listen an hour to Banks and
an hour to Wilson, and they would go
away with the impression that there
was no comparison between the two
men. Banks was brilliant, epigram-
matte. sensational, but fascinating as
a speaker. Wilson, fluent in speech,
but prosy, slow and cautious in argu-
ment, feeling his way rather than as
serting his position and forcing his au-
dieuce up 70 il. At any period under
our form of government Banks would
have achieved some distinction. 1t is
doubtful, however, if Wilson wonld
have been heard Of in political life, out
of Massachusetts, had it not been for
the slavery agitation. lie was not IN
tie line ofpromolion in eitherofthe o.
parties nor had lie The brillIancy which
compels attention. lie resided III a
State where, to 4 greater degree than
any other Northern State, political
distinction is the heritage Of families.
There are boy babies born every year
in Massachusetts who are tolerably
sure Of advancement in political life
If they are not more than ordinarily
stupid. Wilson was not one of these.
lie had neither mouey, family nor
other Influences than such - he aCquir
ed over his fellow laborerS by know
in more then they did. 1t was hard
work that enabled him to rise n single
inch above his fellows. The Harrison
campaign landed him in the Legis-
lature in ISIU, where he distinguish
ed himself more rs hard working
committee man than as a leader in
debates. He was a member of the
dominant party, and also a sympa-
thjzer IN the anti slavery sentiment
then much stronger in Massachusetts
than appeared from the position OF
the two great PARTIES on that question.
In 1913 Wilson's opportunity occur
RED. lie was member ofthe NatiOna.
Convention which nominated General
Taylor, and in the interests Of the
aulisLavery party he boIIed, came
home, ana justified his action in
numerous speeches all over the State.
The autiSiayery turore secured him
audiences, and his sacrifices Of party
Vrelgrment secured him q place at the
head Of the new party. The wings
denounced him aS 4 traitor to Their
party; Int eight wears later, when
the republican party placed Fremont
IN the field, the same men went quiet
ly into The ranks Of that party; and
Wilson having gone when the paucity
Of members caused his going to be
conspicuous, was high in It's councils.
1t was his leaving a DIVING party, and
making new issues the basis of a live
one, that enabled him to slip in
head Of the Influential politicians of
his adopted State. The same poli,ica!
revolution brought Banks and Bout.
wc.,-5oth democrats, ana in a hone
less minority in their respective dis
trictS-to the front. Bat though the
slavery agitation opened a career 10
Wilson, no one doubted his sincerity.
Ii was 10 mere political move. Am
billions, deSirouS Of distinction. con-
i 49,
s'''"S "' 'Ae H!uLicuttleS the Old or
S-h,11uoH prescribed 10 career in
faoAc me- he stlIh undoubtedly acted
it'h h'SA sense OF duty. II Is this
high sense Of duty which has been
MS STA! ever since. People believed in
IL ana ihey trusted MN. Ii he never
maue great speech IN his life, he
never made a bad one. His thorough
Nno|'edSe OF whatever subject he
touched upon saved HIM from that
ro;,os . 80, -(''''.'', LIS tuucauon was
2y;,61r, ~, ~; ~ I " I'n 'he word
,o,r'ior,r -. . Ne.,'l "e' ne ", Wa
-. - t.,. .',.'M VI ''G ptoP-e' Inc