National Republican., 1875-06-26
HR. VICE PRESIDENT WILSON'S LAST
LRTTRR

walks do not bring him in immediate con-
tact with the so-cslled leaders of public
opinion and the higher officials OF the Gov
eminent, such man as Henry Wilson, of
Massachusetts, and, by the grace of Schuy-
Ter Coliax's remissness, Vice President OF
the United States, appears invested with
remarkable qualities and with the virtues
Of trua Republican nobility. To the few
VI . navr watcncd his career since his IN
Formp4te nomination at the beck and bid
ding of handful of newspaper men at the
PmladcIpbia convention, he presents diff
acrent aspect, The traditional dignity
which surrounds the Office formerly held
by such men rs John Adams, Thomas JEFF
ferson, John c. Calhoun, Martin Van Bu-
rcn, William R. King John c. Breckin-
ridge. and Hannibal Hsmlin, finds no fitting
SEQUEL in his record since his elevation to
the second office within the gift of the peo-
ple. For years before his nomination he
Sought the office with a trucking servility,
excused hy his friends and overlooked by
his admirers because they fOndly believed
that his past course gave assurance that he
tnirht he useful in the future. He was
known Us man who was always willing
to yield something for the sake Of party
harmony and ever ready 10 strike the hard
est blows when opportunity arose to create
dissension in the ranks of the enemy. In
truth, he assiduously cultivated the reputa-
tion of being cautiOts though cordial
conciliator, and of being bold leader in
assault against the common foe. There
was no especial act Of his, no statesman
Like idea formulated into enduring law, to
commend him to public favor; but there
was q sufficient amount of shrewd dangling
upon the ragged edge of aggressive party
movements to attract general attention to
him, and when, owing to these circum-
stances, the majority of the Southern dele
gates, together with scattering ones from
New England and other sections, advanced
him to be a candidate for nomination at
Philadelphia, he was fortunate enough to
be opposed by Schuyler ColfaI. Col
fax was, at once. strange and paradoxical
as it may seem. one of the weakest and at
the same time one of the strongest men in
the Republican party; weak because he
was ungrateful to his personal following
Say the least, by his connection with GER
tain suspicious legislative transactions; and
strong because he had a miraculous mag
nrtic power over the people. Mr.. Wilson
proved to be more than a match for Colfax
on tlis occasion; not because he was capa-
bic of accomplishing such a result himself,
bu; because CrliaX's enemies centred upon
GuA and 5u.r-odcd in outwitting the sup
yo~,rS OF rs opponent When the first
9 oaiy rel, c.l in the convention on the
I4.'nL'YG e Vice President was ended,
yl..> Va. r,aliy eight or nine votes ahead
o!a' competitors; but Virginia and Ten
&C." I.avua cast complimentary votes
svl'Iycly Epr Senator John T. Lewis
a. ms Hon. Horace Maynard, desired TO
c..:-e The Frcnrd. Permission was given
item to dc 50 Virginia was then recog-
n;zrd. and her vote of twenty four dele
gale, Chan -ed from Lewis to Wilson. If
Tennessee had been recognized first, her
vote would have been changed from May
L.: I'd to Cclfax and his nomination would
Iave been insured; but the active oppo-
nents Uf COlfax secured the floor for Vir-
ginia-lhe break, " SO to speak, was made,
and the Tennesseeans and Indianians,
catching the spirit of enthusiasm which
pervaded the assemblage at that moment,
made the nomination of Mr.. Wilson unani-
nous. In this way he WAS brought out as
candidate on the same ticket with Presi-
dent Grant, whose popularity with the
people, added to the unpopularity of the
Democratic candidates, secured the Repub-
lican victory which followed. As there
was no brilliant or commanding point in
Mr. Wilson's career to commend him for
the nomination, there was nothing in it to
commend him TO the people when that nom
instion was secured. As the unpopularity
Of COlfax secured his nomination, the pop
ularity Of President Grant secured his cleo
tion.
The circumstances connected with his
inauguration, the awkward blunders he
made when he first attempted to call the
Senate to order, and his astonishing igno-
rance Of familiar parliamentary usages,
which abg.shsd his friends and reddened
their faces wIta bushes of shame, are still
fresh in the memories of all. A short time
after this he Wa stricken with lingering
and possibly iuclEabe physical ailmsnt.
one which has destroyed or partially i'm
paired the iuteIIecr Of stronger men than
he ever could hoe 10 bo, and he was COM
PEELED for 8 number u months to remain in
the charge Of hi pi ysicians. During this
time q charitabia mantle obscured his short
comings and Ionggoroes, and the public
was given 20 understand, through frequent
explanations, that his health of mini and
body was soon 10 Derostored. HIS absence
was missed in the Senate more as source
OF congratuIation than anything else, be-
cause his place was temporarily filed by
nan Of acceptable if not brilliant ability.
When lie returned to his duties, however,
MS presence was hailed with words Of vel
come, and the honor extended TO him which
belonged to his high Office, if respect to the
nlan was withheld. BE at once misunder-
sloOd himself and allowed his vanity to
deceive him regarding his actual situatiOn.