New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-23

the party Mr. Wilson acting thencef0rWard with
the Republicans IL was little more than a year
from the day he took his seat in the Senate that
Preston S. Brooks of South Carolina made hls IN
famous assault upon the person OF Chaiios
Sumner Mr. Wilson in debate denounced
the act as brutal, murdcrous and oowardly -
language which drew from Brooks the only ioglcai
response Of which he was capable, challenge. Ana
this was the new Senator's reply: d" i have always
regarded dueling az q lingering relic OF barbara
civilization, which the law OF the country mas
branded as a crime. While, therefore, reigionsly
believe in the right of self-defense, IN its broadess
sense the law of my country, and the matnred con-
victions of nv whole life alike forbid me to met you
for the purpose indicated in your letter" Evidently
these were times for men of courage AS well As Oh
ability; Mr. Wilson proved his ample endowment OF
both. His own coarse fully sustained the rule nc
laid down in his first speech in the Senate: We
mean to place in tho councils of the nation
men. who in the words of Jefferson, have
sworn. ON ibe altar OF God, eternal hostility
TO every kind of oppression over the mind and body
of man,o His first utterances were i'll advocacy OF
the repeal of the Fugitive Slave law and OF the abo
liton of slavery the District of Columbia during
the last few years OF his first term he made elaborate
speeches on the Kansas question: the Treasury No'e
bill the Pacific Railroad, the tariff, and other IN
portant topics. Ono of these, III defense OF 1iee
labor and made in reply to Senator hammond oi
South Carolina March, 1850 had IN immense clrcu-
lation in all the Northern States In the same year
Mr.. Wilson was reelected by nearly a unanimous
vote of the LEGISLATURE which expressed the general
satisfaction of the Republican party with his ter-
vices III the Senate.
With the opening of the session of 1861 came new
duties and grave responsibilities Senator Wilson
was given the important post of Chairman OF the
~. =, ttnrV of
a member for four years, with Jefferson Davis for
Chairman His service here had enabled him, though
in a minority to inform himself thoroughly as TO
the condition of the army and the defenses OF the
country The burdens Of the position at any time
were manifold, but the war made them larry ap-
Mailing The IabOrs of Mr. Wilson IN this place were
herculcan. All the laws providing Tor the lorna
ton organization, and government of the armies OF
the United States either prepared or approved
BY that Committee. Eleven thousand nominations,
running all the way from Lieutenant to Lieutenant
General were passed upon by II. Added 10 these
pressing duties the necessity OF constant alu
prompt attention to the appeals aud suggestions, 10y
letter or in person. Of officers, soldiers, and poll
tcians. The common soldiers found Henry Wilson
so kind and helpful that they gave him the name OF
the soldiers friend"
His intimate knowledge of the slave question, and
his conviction that the South would fight with all
the yigor Of desperation led him 10 advise with
few Others that the first call for troops should be for
800 600 instead Of $4,000, and il was through his
efforts that the quota Of Massachusetts was doubled
On the second day Of the session of Congress Wheh
began on the 18th of July, Senator Wilson appeared
with five bills and resolution. One authorized the
employment OF 10000 volunteers for three years;
a second increased the regular army by $4,000 men;
q third was one providing " Tor the better organza-
ton of the military establishment" making very
important changes. These were referred TO his
Committee, promptly reported and passed. But
this was merely prelude 20 the legislation accom-
plished at that session through his LAHORE. When
Congress adjourned, Gen. Scott d. cared that he had
dome more work in that short session than all the
Cbairlnen Of the Military Committees had done IN
tle Inst 20 year, There was still more active
geryiee however, before him. Gen. Scott recon-
mended the President, III view Of his experience III
milina organizatiOn-he had risen TO the rank OF
BriGadier-Genera1 in that seryice-and his aptitude
in military affairs the appointment Of Senator VIII
son I'd a Brigader-G General Of Volunteers. This,
boveyer would have compelled his resignation as
Senator, and the plan modified Az the sohclta-
ton of leading members OF the Cabinet, he raised
several regiments Of men III MASSACHUSETTS and mus
gave a renewed impulse to volunteering, when The
Bull Run disaster had somewhat discouraged. lie
and afterward took a position on Gen. McClenan's
staff resiQning early in 1862, TO resume
his work in Congress. During the second scs-
SION of the XXXVIlth Congress he introduced and
pressed through large number OF measures OF I'M
portance relating to the army, among which was
one whch provided for the drafting and enrolling IN
the militia of negrocn, and authorized The employ
ment OF negroes for military purposes. Secretary Gam
eron, who resigned during this session, addressed
letter inst before his retirement, to Senator Wilson,
in which he said " No man, in my opinion, in the
whole country, has done more t0 and the W ar De
pertinent in preparing the mighty army now under
arms than yourself and, before leaving this city,
think il my duty to offer to you my sincere
thanks as IFS late heado Amid the clash of arms
the cry Of the slave did not 90 uphcard The work
Of the XXXVIlth and XXXVIIIth Congresses was
not only 10 save the Union but to help free the bond
man, and the men who composed those bodies came
together with a solemn sense OF nnusua! Tesp0nsi-
bIlity, and with q feeling that the future OF the
county depended largely on their action. Mr.. VII
son himself has written an account OF the anti
elaye-y measures Of these Congresses, which details
each step of this magnificent reform. They sub
mit,ed to the people an ant-slayery amendment
TO the Constitution; prohibited slavery III the
Territories, present ard futnTe; freed tho
slaves in the District Of Columbia; abro-
gated the BLACK Code which Disseminated
against negroes in the courts OF the District
granted negroes The right TO teGtfy ia the District
courts established public schools IN the District for
colored children pledged the faith of the nation TO
aid loya states TO emancipate the slaves therein;
freed al slaves Of rebels VINO should come within
the Federal lines; provided FOR the enrolment Of ne
eroc both in the volunteer army and in the militia;