Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-11-24
The yice.Presidenps Last Hours.

The yice.P Presidents Last Hours.
Dispatches nom Washington, dated the 22d,
say that the announcement Of the death Of Vice
President Wilson was n sad surprise to those who
had watched him during the days Of his illness
Ills condition on the previous night was more en-
couraging than 1t had been for several days But
for the rain, chill and gloom Of the last two days
he had expected to ride out yesterday, and after
two or three days Of bright weather, he had iu-
tended 10 set out for the north. lie seemed TO be
inpelled by some strong instinct to hasten his
journey homeward. lie had become quite restless
on account Of his slow conyalescence and had
manifested great impotence TO return home, as II
he had premonition Of his impending fate. His
haste TO return TO the commonwealth he honored
was needless, for he was 10 die at the very border
OF the senate chamber, In the midst OF scenes
which had witnessed his greatest activity.
The story Of his death is very simple lie was
alone with the exception Of Policeman Moore,
who had been In constant attendance upon him
during the last days Of bis Illness Mr Moore
was the only witness Of the dissolution lie says
that the Vice President was unusually quiet during
the night hir rest was unusually good and there
was change whatever in his appearance.
During the night his sleep was calm and peaceful.
lie seemed to have great thirst, as during the
night he called for four or 1--WE glasses Of water,
aud drank them. lie awoko an hour earlier than
usual, and did not seem to beany worse. llodied
without a struggle There were no mark. Of pain
about his lace lie was lying on his left side as
| II in quiet sleep Those who saw the body before
It had been arranged say that it could scarcely be
told that the spirit had fled There were no dy-
I 81. l.t
o'clock. half an hour after the death, says that
the bursting Of a blood vessel WAS undoubtedly
the cause Of DEATH and that after the Vice Presi-
dent laid down he became Immediately uncon-
scious It is now known that the cause Of his re-
cent illness was also the bursting n blood vessel
The remains have been embalmed and laid in
state in the Vice Presidents room, on a catafalque
which occupies the place where the writing table
stood, at which he did all his work The body ia
attired in dress suit Of black broadcloth, faces
Rembrant Peales portrait Of Washington, and be-
side II are a wreath Of tea roses, japonicas, Gala
| lilies, white pnks and hehotropes from the wife
Of the President and 4 cross Of white flowers from
General Babcock The room is guarded by a de-
tail Of capitol police among them colored man,
who also stood by the bier Of Senator Sumner
/ On the announcement Of the death Of Mr Wilson,
| government business was generally suspended
the several departments were ordered 10 be draped
/ in mourning for thirty days and appropriate ma
| val and military honors paid 10 tho distinguished
dead
So confident was Mr. Wilson that he was rapidly
conyalcscug that he had made preparations to
take a ride ont on the dag Of his death, DR. Bax-
ter, his physician, having promised him that he
should do so, If no unfavorable change in his con-
dition interviewed Many times he alluded to his
anticipated ride, and spoke Of the pleasure that he
thought it would afford him.
A person who conversed with him says Mr. VIII
son felt so well on saturday, that he talked con-
siderably on public matten and current events.
In abiding to the political prospects, he remarked
in conversation that the elections in Ohio and
Pennsylvania, in his opinion, determined the ques-
ton Of the next Presidential, that Republican
succession could only he defeated by the most ut
ter folly Of the Republican party itself that every
where thcre was evidence Of the return to the
party Of those who went of in the liberal move
ment. OF this fact he had sufficient evidence in
the numerous letters he had received during the
past year from leading liberals lie expected in
the next campaign to see the party thoroughly
united lie said that the people would never be
. ]
tive government to one who had been arrayed
against it by voice or service, and that this was
the record Of every person named for the demo
cratic nomination lie said that the security and
perpetuation Of the Union the paramount
issues in the minds Of the people, and that thi.
would override questions Of currency, church aud
state, public schools and all else.
The time Of the funeral has not yet been decided
A number of the Senators desired to have tile re
mains kept till the opening OF Congress, but Il
may not be possible to do it. Demonstrations o.
public sorrow have been made throughout tn,
country, and the death Of this great and usefu
man has cast gloom over all. The final resiln.
, place Of the dead statesman will be in the tow
OF NaticlS, Mass
Henry Wilson's life and character are 50 iamil
lar. that there is little occasion for details lii
father was Of the poorest Of New Hampshire coun
Try people, a half vagant dissipated, shabby per
son, and his son, jeremiah Goliath, for that wa
the name which Henry Wilson bore as boy, founC
himself early in the village poor-house, from
which he was appremticed, at ten years old, TO
farmer in tie same town Of Pennington liz
worked ont his eleven years and at twenty-one
with yoke Of oxen, new suit Of clothes, a pas
} sion for knowledge, aud some reading, came owe
to Massachusetts, settled at Naticl, which has al
Ways since been his home, and alternated shoe
making with going to school, until 1910.
: Then, at twenty-eight year, old he went int
politics and has spent tbs rosi Of his life as pub
lie man " Firing the popular heart, ~ tn
=" Natick Cobbler orator In the Harrison cam
paign, he soon went To the legislature, distin
gushed himself as leader among the anti-slaver
wings, and in 1913 was one OF the founders OF tn
free-soil party Next, for two years, he edited til
= free soil organ in Boston was a prominent acto
in the famous coalition between the ireo.soiler
and democrats in our state politics, frequently i
e the legislature, and for two years president @
e the Senate, and a member Of tho constitutions
e convention Of 1853.
In 1851 and 1855, he helped organize the Amer
D lean OF Know-nothing party, which absorbed
for the time being, both the old parties an
u through its agency was returned to the Unite
/, States Senate in 1855, succeeding Edward Everett
aud in that body he continued until transferred
D the yioe.presidency In 1873