Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-11-24


Pile, and believed It a wrong so griev-
Gus, that compromise was out of the
question. For fullness and accuracy of
statement his speeches were always
remarkable. In 1859, be made a speech
in defense OF free labor, In reply TO
Senator Hammond, of South CRroli-
ma, which had an immense circulation
in the free States. In January of the
same year the Massachusetts Begisls>
ture reelected him 10 the Senate by
an almost unsnimous vote.
On the assembling of the Senate in
1861, when the mutterings of civil war
were being heard oil over the land and
the dark storm-cloud was lowering
over the country like a funeral pail
Mr.. Wilson was made Chairman Of
the Committee on Military Affairs, a
position which he filed efficiently
and Faithfully. 1t was post of labor
and responsibility, but Henry Wilson
never shirked either, He was
always ready to discharge
any duty imposed upon
him without regard to the amount of
labor required. In his capacity as
chairman of the above named impor-
tant Committee he introduced and
carried through Congress during the
extra session of 1861, the acts author
izing the employment of 100000 vol
unteers for the suppression Of the re-
bellion. 1t is said that Gen. Scott
gave him credit for performing more
labor during that short session than
had been performed by chairmen Of
Military Committees in twenty years.
The Secretary of War, Mr.. Cameron,
said of him: No man in my opinion
in the whole country has done more to
aid the War Department in preparing
the mighty army now under arms.
In the regular session of 1872, he in
troduced and secured the passage of a
bill abolishing slavery in the District
of Columbia, and also measure fer
abolishing the "black code"
In every step taken by President
Lincoln, looking to the abolition
of slavery, or the elevation Of
the colored race, he found
an active sympathizer and cordial sup
porter in Mr.. Wilson. After the sup.
preston Of the rebellion, he was an
active supporter of every measure
looking to the welfare Of the colored
people. He supported the 18th, l4th
and 18th amendments to the Constitu-
tion with all his great power. His
course towards the colored people made
him enemies among the white people
of the South who did not appreciate or
understand his true character. When
he had accomplished what he thought
necessary for the colored people, the
kindliness of his noble manhood was
soon exhibited in a desire to see the
condition of the Southern whites
Rmeliorated. At an early day he fa~
vored the removal of all disabilities
imposed by the constitutional amend
ments and by acts of Congress on ac-
count of participation in the rebellion.
He favored universal suffrage aud uni
versal amnesty.
He was one of the founders of the
Republican party, and has always
taken an active interest in its success.
His efforts have contributed no little
to that end. In 1872 the National Re-
publican Convention, at Philadelphia,
nominated him for the Vice Presiden-
cy, and he was elected on the Republ-
can ticket by an overwhelming ma
jority.
Some time after he was elected Vice
President, he was afflicted with pa
ralysis, and for time it was thought
he would not recover. He did not
fully recover, perhaps, but he was well
enough to be in the Senate portion
of the time.
The disease which finally took him
away, was doubtless superinduced by
overwork. He has been engaged
for some time in writing a
NeTN NOluIllIlbhS vi
the downfall OF slavery. He
had already completed two vol
umes, and felt great concern in the
final completion of the work. His
anxiety to accomplish this led him to
attempt more than he was physically
able to perform, and no doubt hasten
ed his death.
AS before stated, although grave
doubts were first entertained of his re-
cevery after his recent attack, he had
80 far recuperated as to give hope that
he would soon be himself again. Last
Friday he was up in an arm chair and
seemed TO be in better spirits than al
any time since his illness. He con
versed freely with his friends and
alluded to his last attack as being un'
: expected. 1t was noticed, however
that his voice had huskiness thai
was unnatural, In speaking of his
| A AIiotioY h. said that ha had repantly 4