New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-24
REColLECTIoNs OF AN OLD FRIEND.

TuuRIOw WEEDS COMMENTS UPON MR.. WILSON'S
PUBLIC LIFE-MEMORIEs OF FOREIGN ACQUANr-
ANcE-ANALYsIs or THE VICE-PRESlDENTs
CHARACTER AND LABORs
A reporter OF The TRIBUNE called upon
Thurlow Weed last evening, and although the veteran
Journalist and politician was suffering slightly from tue
depressing effects of the weather. the mention OF Henry
Wilson'S nome started theme upon which Mr. Weed
seemed pleased talk freely The substance OF the con
versatioD was as follows:
"The public writings and acts OF Henry Wilson, Mr.
Weed said, lay near the surface lie nVed uhder
no clock was open and frank, and always talked with
rncetness and freedom Of speech on every subject that
concerned his relations TO the public. knew him
slightly in 1915 when lie member Of the Maesa-
clsetts Iegslue and was estimated among his elders
AZ a strong, sensible, anti-sayery man, who gave no
promise Of brllancy but, Judging from the manner IN
which lac had worked his way from obscuIity to
position OF prominence, would prove "a soma pui
wark TO the cause OF freedom. MY nrst eai-
nest conversation occurred with him In 1873
,vbe, Cen TAYLOR was mentioned for the Presi
dency | was strongly in favor OF Iaylors nom
nation but the difficulty TO make him acceptable 10
the New England anti-slavery men. knew that Cen
TAYLOR was not politician, but that he had views re-
Rarding government which could DC trusteu ana was
not in favor Of the extension OF slavery. was more
Wing than artislavcry. Wilson was more antslavery
than Wing talked the matter over with nm, but
found him unalterably opposed to Taylor He would
NOT believe that IT safe 10 trust aaVehoider OF
politician OF the South, though an avowed Whig with
the accommodating strength pledged against the extension
of slavery and s existence Wilson WAS delegate
10 he Convention and in spite Of all could do, he In
conjunction with a few Others boted. lie was a
leader in this opposition. Taylor was nominated
anl elected and when, finally, his policy regard
ing tie admission Of California az Tree STATE
disclosed itself Wilson dropped his opposition. and be-
came warm adherent OF Gen. Taylor. When the slave
nower TO compromise by dividing the territory
nureased from France between the North and South
Vrson was active and prominent among those who
united 10 form the Republican party and became stead
fast in the belief that tho mission OF this party was 10 ac
eo,nplish the overthrow Of Slavery"
"From that moment he became practical and efficient
notion and states,nan and laboIed for the advance
meut Of bis party with earnesness thai he did
in Congress- for sptislayory measures At that time he
appeared at his best man Of marked common
sense with sound ntuitions and procyes, favorable
to ALI beneDcent objects All personal aspirations ap
peared TO be subordinate TO his sense OF duty. HIS
political conduct that OF man who expected sd-
yancement by making himself useful. Up to the time he
entered Congress, his ability had not been utilized.
talked with him frequently On measures before Congress
His relations 10 the lobby OF the purest character
There wac no double dealing in his actions III WAS all
STRAIGHTFORWARD earnestness lie was not sociabe poll
tican when there wa work hand, and never gave
suggestion Of possessing humor. His qualities
were more solid than brilliant He was earn
est In debate aud when excited he was
powerful 1 never discerned In him any OF the
scts OF political life. During the first six or eight
months OF the war; when nothing but disaster seemed In
store for the Union CAUSE Wilson was animated and hope
full. He showed both pbyacA and moral courage and