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

Our Washington dispatches this
morning bring the melancholy intelli-
gence, that Vice President Henry
Wilson ia dead. The intelligence is
not altogether unexpected. More than
week ago he had q violent attack
which confined him to his room and
bed. Under the skillful treatment of
his physician, DR.. Baxter, he, how
ever, recovered 30 far " to give room
for the hopes of friends that be would
again recover. But the hope proved
delusive, and at 7:S0 Monday nioTn-
ing the silver cord which bound Hen.
ry Wilson to earth was broken, and
his spirit returned TO God, who gave
it.
The deceased was born at Farming
ton, n. H., on the 18th day of Febru-
ry, 1912. His parents were poor, and
at the age of 10 years, he was appren-
ticed to a farmer, with whom he con-
tinued II years, during which period
he was sent to school at
irregular intervals, amounting
in all to about twelve months. His
taste for reading was developed at an
early day. He borrowed books from
a public library and read on Sundays
and in the evenings, and at such times
as he could find an opportunity. Dur
ing his apprenticeship he read nearly
1000 volumes, chiefly history and
biography.
At the expiration of his apprentice
ship he quilted Pennington, with all
his possessions on his back. He walk
ed to Natick, Massachusetts, where he
hired himself to a shoemaker, and
worked at the trade two years. He
has made his home there ever since.
Having, through industry and rigid
economy, accumulated little:money,
he returned to New Hampshire, and
attended school for awhile at the acad-
emies in Stafford. Woifsborough and
Concord. He had deposited his scanty
earnings with friend, who became
insolvent. By this means his plans for
ed ucation were cut short, and he
returned to Natick in 1888 and
resumed work as shoemaker. Dur
ing all this time he had continued to
read, and became remarkably well
posted on the questions which then
entered into political canvasses.
His first appearance in politics was
in 1S40, when he espoused the cause of
Gen. Harrison, the Whig candidate
for the Presidency, and made upward
of sixty speeches in his behalf. His
ability began to be known and sppre-
ciated, and In the next five years he
was elected to the Massachusetts, Leg
islature, three times as Representa-
tive and twice as Senator. He be-
came known as an active and Jealous
opponent OF slavery. He took n prom
inent part in every scheme for abolish
ing this institution, and was looked
upon everywhere as leader. He did
everything in his power to prevent the
extension of slavery into the Terri
tories.
In 1s4S he was a delegate to the
Whig convention which nomina-
ted General Zachary Taylor for
the Presidency. On the rejection OF
Anti-Slavery resolutions introduced in
that Convention he withdrew, and af-
terward took a prominent part in the
organization of what was known as
the Free Soil party. About this time
he purchased the Boston Republican,
daily newspaper, which he edited
with vigor and ability for two years
In 1850 and 1851, he served again in
the Senatorial branch of the Massa'
chusetts Legislature. In the National
Free Soil Convention, which was held
at Pittsburgh in 1852, he was made
President, and supported the nominee
of that Convention for the Presidency
In the same year he ran on that ticket
for Congress in the Sth Massachusetts
district, where the anti-Free Soil ma
jority was 1900 and came within 81
votes of being elected. In 1855 he was
elected to the United States Senate as
the successor of Edward Everett. Soon
after taking his seat he distinguish
ed himself by advocating the
repeal of the fugitive slave
law, and the abolition of slavery in
the District of Columbia and the ter
ritories. He served continuously In
the Senate from that time until he wal
elected Vice President Of the United
States. He was known as one OF thu
leading anti-slavery men in that body
and never hesitated to boldly and fear
lessly proclaim his views on all neces
sary occasions. When in May, 1856
Mr.. Sumner, his colleague, was assail
: ed by Mr.. Brooks, of South Carolina
Mr.. Wilson denounced the act as ;
brutal, murderous, cowardly as
: sault." For this he was challenged
p by Mr.. Brooks to fight duel. He de
Q clinad on the ground that duelling Il