New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-23
"REMINISCENCES OF Mr.. WILSON.

+, WA during the memorable Presidential cam
paipn Of 1910 that Mr. Wilson became generally
known 10 bis fcllow-citizens in Massachusetts, lie
yyas M that time working shoemaker; bur he had
exhibited taste for politics in his limited circle,
and an unusual capacity for political discussions.
The Wings Who especially in his own State, mad
been CHARGED ~ q party with autOcratc tenderness,
were glad at that time to have mechanic OF ability
upon their platforms Mr. Wilson used TO be au-
nouuced AZ the Natick Cobbler'-a name of which
he was rather proud than ashamed. The debates OF
those DAYS turned very much upon figures aud facts,
the expenditures of the General Government the
dishonesty of public officers and other material
rather than moral matters Mr. Wilson was at home
i'm all The charges brought against the Jackson and
Van Buren, administrations, and he had an excellent
faculty for putting statistics before the people His
merit was recognized, and he elected to the
State Legislature, in which he attained from the
FIRST some degree Of prominence.
When the DAYS came in which politics began to
turn mainly upon the slavery question, MIR. Wilson
early took his stand with what were called IN Mas
sachusetts " the Conscience Whgs' They remained
for several years party within party, constantly
tending toward a secession which finally came and
left the old organization without strength enough
for a much larger life AIr Wilson's associates were
men Of marked ability, like Charles Francis Adams,
John G. Palfrey, Samuel HOr Charles Sumner and
Arson BurlinCame. Small as was their beginning,
they made themselves felt from the first and gradu-
ov advanced over the ruins Of the old parties, 70
place and to permanent power The secret OF this
was that in their hostility to slavery extension they
were thoroughly in earnest. The very nickname
which was bestowed upon them was COM
pment to their integrity. Unquesti0nably no
politicians were ever more entirely governed by
their consceHces. Their zoal led them into many
errors into Inconsistencies and Indefenslble c0al
tions and blinded them to ,he inexpediency of many
measures winch they originated and supported bnt
their love of freedom and their hatred of
the slave power were never for q mo-
ment suspended, even when they found
themselves acting with prominent pro-slayery
Democrats. II is impossible To doubt Mr.. Wilson's
genuine hatred of slavery, and far as his really
Genial nature would permit, Of Shareholders. He did
some things which cOnld not commend themselves
To our sense Of honor and integrity; we have never
thought that he was oyeT-scrupuous in the heat of
party battle; but we believe that in his opposition
70 Slavery and to legislation in support of slavery
Mr. Wilson was entirely honest. When he had SAT
;6ed himself that no move in behalf Of freedom
70 be hoped for from the Wing party, he set
himself to work 20 destroy it. Night and day he
laborcd with tins sole end in view. He forgot all
the benefits which il had conferred upon him he
forgot how lt had raised hlin from ObScultg ana
bestowed upon him honor aud celebrity he deter
mined that il must die, and 10 further this consum
nation he was ready to strike hands with anybody
10 be a Democrat with the Democrats, Know
Nothing with the Know-Nothngs and Frohibi-
tionist with the Prohibitonists. lie wished no man
personally any harm, but he was an memorable
political enemy. He had something Of an oriental
nature; he was subtle and patient bnt under
all the camness of his ordinary d-meanOr
there were lurking passions which made
him formidable opponent. lie could say
and he could do kind things; he could talk to an
enemy a. if he were friend he never seemed 10 be
ANNOYED by the hard remarks which might be made
about him, but he remembered them. Yet ne had
one OF the finest faculties OF n statesman He
never permitted his personal prcjudccs or grew
ances 20 stand ia the way of his parys success, and
he welcomed to it, ranks all recruits, though they
came from the foremost ranks of his old foes.
Az a politician Mr.. Wilson was extremely far
sighted. In the minor matter OF the probable result
of an election, his opinion was well worth having
and he rarely made a mistake. He pronounced the
Wing party dead from the moment OF Gen. lay
lor's nomination. nor did he abate jOt Of his
opinion when Gen. aylor was trumphantly elected.
In every phase OF the pro-slayery legislation which
followed he read its obituary. IL numbered the
See Finh Page.