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


The death Of Vice-PTesident Henry Wilson
removes almost the last of company OF gal
liant and devoted men whose memory America
in wears to come will cherish with gratitude
not less deep than that it has lavlshed upon
heroes who earned their laurcls in the clash OF
arms. The great war which saved our I'M
perilcd union and cleared away the fOulest
reproach of American civilization was not an
affair of only four years duration, fought ont
upon the battlefield. 1t began when the old
men of to-day were boys at school.
and its earlier scenes were marked by
exhibitions of courage more magnificent ana
self-sacIitice more sublime than any recorded
in the story of the civil war The brave
spirits who devoted themselves to the cause OF
liberty in those evil days were required not
only to face danger but to fOTsweGr reputation
and among the names of the unselfsh destined
TO shine with Linc0ln's, Summers, and Greelcy's
on one of the brightest pages OF American
history, none. perhaps Will seem purer III the
ewes of posterity than that of Henry Wilson.
Mr.. Wilson made his appearance in Congress
at a time when the irrepressible conflict was
fast approaching its crisis in the midst of
clamor and excitement. Nothing could be
lence Of the slave power in Washington at
that period, unless it were the cOwardie ana
lack OF principle with which free communities
at the North gave way to its pretenslons.
There was need of no slight courage, b0th
physical and moral, to stand NJ against the
overpowering Democratic majority OF the Sen
ate and few suspected that this plain, sturdy,
somewhat uncouth and imperiectly educated
shoemaker, upon whose elevation 10 the
seat of Edward Everett Beacon-st. gazed
with amazement and horror, would soon
make himself feared and trusted
leader Sumner, Chase, Seward, Fish, and
Wade were then the chiefs OF the
party of freedom in the Senate, and Henry
Wilson was at once accepted as Their worthy
associate. On the other side of the chamber
were many of the most brilliant and daring
men whom the slave party ever sent to Wash
ington-IIunter and Mason of Virginia, John
SHdell, Clement G. Clay, a. p. Butler OF
South Carolina, James 4. Bayard OF Delaware.
For six years AIr. Wilson was a dangerous an
taronist of men much his superiors in intel
lectua ability. in general culture aud III p0liti-
cal training. For the next four years lie was
one of the most valuable working members OF
the Senate, rendering incalculahle service to
the military authorities by his industry and
acuteness in committee, end his personal infu
ence in raising and organizing volunteers
services which entitle him to honorable mem
ton even in the purely military history of the
rebellion.
Here is the lesson which lis career teaches
the young men of America. lie took fore
mos; place in the great events from 1855 to 1868,
not because he was great man or a statesman,
for he was neither, but because lie was wholly
possessed by grand moral purpose. He was
ambitious, but it was not ambition which drew
him into politics. He priced the good opinion
of his fellow-men, but he YVES always ready
to sacrifice it for his principles. lie pursued
noble end by honest methods and with an
eaInestness almost heroic; and so he Dor
rowed distinction from the cause which he
supported and his homey speech grew
eloquent with the truth that in
spircd it. When emancipation was &C.
complished the mission of Mr.. VIII
son seemed to be ended. Like most Of
the leaders OF the anti-slaycGy struggle, he had
10 special aptitude for tie work OF recon
struction, and he showed but an imperfect
comprehension of the difficult political prob
lens which the war and the changed social
conditions Of The county created. lie VIII be
kindly remembered however, rs one who was
swift to forgive the vanqu-hed, and to pro-
test AGAINST the cruel and pr0Scriptiye policy
of lis party. lie did not escape the asperitics
and injustice Of partisan warfare; but even
those who were the bittercst cenSOrs of his
real or supposed errors long ago learned to
acknowledge the essen ial purity Of his mo-
tivcs aud the amiable simplicity Of bis char
acter.
As the Leaders who stood By his side in the
dark days Of the struggle one by one dropped
away, and his family were taken from linn,
and realization that his work was done came
home 70 him with greater and greater force.
the kndliness Of his nature shone out more
conspicuOusly in his loneliness. The party
with whose origin and triumph he had been
so closely identified had fallen into hands very
different from those which guided it
of old to victory, and the new men
scarcely tried to hide their contempt for
this veteran OF stener age. But his last
public efforts were devoted to the recOncilia-
ton of alienated associates, and to
generous effort to bring back the Re-
publican party to its former honor
able pursuits lie was so proud Of
its past that he never fully believed in its
corruptions. There is something unspeakably
pathetic in the figure Of the old man, breath
ing his last entirely alone in the Capitol. AS
he lay there what memories of the great past
must have haunted his sick brain, what
specters of the illustriOus dead swept through
the empty Senate, and ghostly footballs of
departed friends echoed in the corridors.