New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-25


every one who did not follow them in their rule or
ruin policy. While therefore, the late Vice-Presi-
dent retained his membership in the Republican
party and was subsequently given the second place
on the National ticket he not 10 any great de
gree personally responsible for the many things that
were done during the eventfn session of the Senate
which preceded the National Convention of 1872
His policy after the Presidential election was one
OF Cancellation. lie thought that the Republican
party having been indicated by the people, could
afford TO be generous and while Gen. Grants
majority and his own were overwhelming he ana
not interpret this sign that the people wholly
approved everything that had been done by the
Administration. He thought that the Cabinet was
at that time composed of men some of whom re-
Elected honor neither upon the party nor the nation
and he therefore called upon the President explained
his views to him at length and advised him to make
certain changes in bis official family. He had no
candidates 10 suggest for appointment, but
ne desired the selection of men whom the
whole country, aside from all partisan con-
siderations, would recognize as eminently ht'ed 10
be constitutional advisers of the President. lie saw
no reason whv il this was done, the Republican
party might not again he reunited. And, step
toward bringing this about, he advised the Presl-
dent tn invite some who had been prominent IN
the Liberal movement to seat IN his CABINET.
Among those whom the Viee-President had in his
mind, as eminently proper persons to be appointed,
were Charles Francis Adams and ex-senator Trum-
bull. Whether he mentioned either of these names
to the President not, do not know. Tho PreSi-
dent listened to him courteously and-did not act
upon his advice.
Mr. Wilson also advocated in the Senate magnan-
imous treatment of those Republican members OF
that body who had supported Mr.. Greeley, and IN an
informal caucus that occurred early In the session
he advised his colleagues to go more than half way
t. secure q reconciliation. But his advice was I'M
heeded and the call for the Republican caucus was
so worded as 10 exclude those who had not supported
Gen. Grant for reelection. Within year or two
Mr. Wilson, in letters and interviews and, believe,
in one or two speeches, has spoken very freely OF
his desire to lead back the "wandeIing Liberals"
and all OF his recent uterances have been IN entire
harmony with his more quiet efforts begun immedi-
aely after the election of 1872. Among his private
papers will probably be found copies of or more
letters to the President, written in the Winter of
1928, in which he urged this policy with great
earnestness
Mr. Wilson's honesty as a legislator never seri-
ously questioned. know that his name was among
those of the men who received Credit Mobiler stock
from Cakes Ames but believe that his subsequent
explanation wholly satisfactory. lie lacked the
moral courage during the progress of the Presden-
tia canvass to acknowledge his connection with the
matter and to make his explanation then, and l
know that he subsequently regretted very deeply
that he had not done so. MIR. Wilson believed that 1t
was the duty Of every legislator TO AVOID even the
appearance of evil and for this reason he thought
that il was improper for a member of Congress
to accept legal fee from any person or corporation
likely to be interested in any probable or possible
legislation. In a conversation, several years ago,
81. & To- nary
freely. He said that he was unable to see how the
fact that a Senator was lawyer by profession
affected in the least his duty to the country. " am
not a LAWYER he said, land if / should accept
money from railroad company the people would
call il brbery but other Senator's who are lawyers.
may receive large fees from the same company,
even although they never appear for IL
in court or, so far as l can learn, do any
business for it except in Congress- and nobody seems
to think that there ia anything wrong about it..
What in my ease would he bride, in their case is
only q legal fee.o lie then named TO me several
prominent Republican Senators who, he said, re-
ceiyed large fees from corporations winch were con-
tiuuav interested in legislation of Congress, and
said that he could not have the same confidence III
or respect for them that he would have if he did not
know this fact. Great changes have taken place in
the Senate since that conversation, and most Of the
to private life.
Mr. Wilson was always friend aud defender Ut
fine Press and at all times maintained the most cor
dial relations with it's representatives III Washing
ton To this friendship due, more than to any
thing else the united and enthusiastic support
which he received in the Philadelphia Convention OF
1872 from nearly all the correspondents there, who
actively interested themselves III the nomination Tor
the Vice Presidency. year before, with Senators
Summer, Schurz, Morton. Thurman and others, he
had been untirng in ms efforts To secure the release
Of The CORRESPONDENTS of THE TRIBUNE, who were
imprisoned for refusing to tell committee of the
Senate how they obtained copy of the
Treaty of Washington and when the Senate
seemed determined to adjourn and leave these
correspondents in custody durng the whole OF the
Summer recess, Senator Wilson announced that, al
though he had engaged passage to Europe III an
early steamer he should give up his berth, IL neces-
sary, and remain at the Capital until he those
two Young men released. In the succeeding Win
ter. when score or moro of Republican Senators,
smartine under the fearless and Independent crti-
cisms Of The TRIBUNE, entered into a conspiracy to
destroy it, by preventing its circulation in the States
they represented. Mr.. Wilson, although he did not
anpraye of the course Of The TRIBUNE at that time,
refused to lie party to any such agreement But
he greatly overestimated the power and influence OF
the conspra;ors for he really believed that, if they
could not actually destroy THE TRIBUNE by the
means they proposed, they could al least severely
cripple IL.
Mr. Wilson's consistent record as advocate Of
temperance and as total abstaner from the use Of
all Intoxicating drinks, is we'll known. Though
fond of dining in company, he never tasted wine,
and whenever he gave dinner bmseH no wine
was ever placed the table The last dinner he