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

In the death of Henry Wilson,
Vice President of the United States,
the Nation has lost one of its brightest
Jewels. As n man, he was honest,
true to principle, earnest in the advo-
cacy of what he believed to be right,
Jealous in doing good, upright in all
his transactions, and faithful to every
trust. In a long and useful public
life, he has never been guilty of per
sonal dishonesty or corruption Of any
character. Honesty was the pre-
dominant trait in his character. He
was a statesmen of broad and liberal
views, just to all, zealously pursuing
the right as he saw the right.
Henry Wilson was the very highest
type of self.made man. Born in
poverty, surrounded by circumstances
the most adverse, unaided by wealthy
or influential friends, he worked his
way up, by his own uncomfortable
will and unyielding purposes, and by
his indomitable energy to the next
highest office in the country. He
not only held the highest offices within
the gift of a grateful and appreciative
people, but he filled them faithfully,
efficiently and with distinction.
Coming as he did from the lower
walks of life, he knew how TO sympa-
thize with the toiling thousands. He
was true friend of the workingman,
and showed his friendship by mani
Testing a profound interest in every
thing pertaining to his welfare. All
that he did in this behalf bore the
impress of honesty, and was free from
that miserable demagogism which
characterizes so many who make
loud professions Of sympathy for
the masses of laboring men. He was
the friend of the oppressed wherever
found. 1t was this that led him to
oppose African slavery, and to fight
that institution with all his power I'M
til it was abolished. His great ability,
his zeal and carnestness, his upright
ness and purity of character all COM
bined gave him great influence,
and naturally constituted him q
leader in whatever cause he espoused.
Mr.. Wilson, though very jealous in
the advocacy of his views, and al
ways progressive and up with the
times in which he lived, was not a
fanatic. His was a well balanced
mind, and he succeeded through pru-
dence, caution and industry, rather
than by enthusiasm, buster and
noise. He was always cool and de-
liberate in whatever he undertook,
never went into anything without a
purpose in view, and never had a
purpose that was not creditable in the
highest degree. He was always relia-
BILE, always safe and always success
full. Though in the Senate since 1855,
except while Vice President, he never
made money except by his legitimate
salary, and never was suspected of
corruption.
He was model which young men,
especially those struggling with pow
erty, may well emulate. He was a
living example of what a man may
accomplish by the exercise of the
virtues of honesty, industry, economy,
prudence, and perseverance. The
humble farmer boy, the obscure shoe
maker, goes to his grave mourned by
a bereaved Nation that has lost one
Of its purest patriots and greatest
statesmen. As long as liberty anG
freedom ar nored and desired, ant
as long as virtue is respected, the
name of Henry Wilson will be re
membered. Peace to his ashes