The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-24
HENRY WILSON.
An Eulogy Pronounced in the House of Repre-
sentatives on Friday, January 81, 1876, by
Charles H, joyce,

sentatives on Friday, January 81, 1876, by
Charles H. Joyce
Mr.. speaker, again dark shadow COW
ers the capitol and wells its lofty dome
in gloom. Relentless death has again en-
tered tho senate house, and with remorse-
less fury struck down the chief
Henry Wilson is dead. His last work
has been performed, his laet duty dis
charged, and he has gone TO his reward
To-day nation mourns its loss and bows
in grief at its bereavement from Cham
PLAIN to the gulf, from Faneuil hall to the
golden shores, tie republic Is shrouded in
mourning, and its mighty heart ceases for
moment its pulsatIons while humanity
places the chsplet upon the tomb of the
phianthropist, the patriot, statesman and
the christian.
o, what a wealth of sorrow; what mai
esty OF woe
Among the millions who gather in sor-
row around his open grave TO pay the last
cad tribute 10 his memory come the brave
and patriotic people of my own state and
claim a near approach to that sacred spot.
Vermont comes to-day to add one more
leaf TO the garland that decorates his tomb.
Outside the limits of the noble common
wealth in which repose his ashes--a state
SO IiSu III iiotoiiNdl CNcllto, III
memories, in great names and in noble
men-there is no spot in the broad universe
where he was more loved and respected,
and where his memory is more honored
and revered, than in the state | have the
honor in part to represent.
Ills name is as familiar as those of her
own sons in every cottage and cabin that
nestles among her green hills.
1t seemed to me that it would be emf
nenlly proper that the descendants of
Slade and Harrington, pioneers in the cause
OF civil liberty, should come to the humble
tomb OF Natick as near mourners of the
illustrious dead,
The doctrine of human freedom and the
political equality of all men before the law
Is as firmly and deeply rooted in the hearts
of her people to-day as it was on the morn
ing when Allen was doomed to an immor-
tality Of lame, and Stark drove the mer-
cenaries Of King George, routed and bleed
ing, from the plains OF Bennington.
The whole pathway of history sparkles
with the names of illustrious men, and the
noble deeds of heroes and patriots, but it
was reserved 10 the nineteenth century to
furnish the most remarkable body of men
that has ever existed in the worlds annals.
Garrison, and sumner, and Hale, and Love
Joy, Giddings, with whom were associated
Slade, and Nicholson, and Fletcher, and
Shafter, and Marsh of my own state, were
among the leaders aud heroes of the old
antl-slavcry pariy-a party which embodi-
ed the very essence and spirit of integrity,
perseverance,, independence, honest con-
yictions, high and exalted moral courage.
and genuine public virtue With these
men Henry Nilson was early enlisted in
Tho IF ,,,;,,
REIMBURSEMENT, to which he deyoled every
energy of body and mind during his whole
life. He espoused this unpopular cause
when 1t required physical as well as moral
courage to do it.
With Collamer and Foot he bore the heat
and burdens of the day ; with them he
bore the veXaton and ignominy of tenn
porary defeat, and with them at last re-
lOiced in n complete and glorious victory.
And the last public act of his life was an
eloquent and stirring address 10 Vermont's
survivors OF the great conflict, reioicisg
with them in its grand results and impart.
ing words OF encouragement and preccpts
OF wisdom by which TO shape the present
and guide them in the future.
New Hampshire may claim the honor of
his birthplace, Massachusetts his home and
last restlng-place, but his untarnished fame
aud the history of his noble life cannot be
oircumscribed by state lines. 1t is the ma
tons legacy and the rich heritage of the
republic.
The period of Mr.. Wilson's lite was in
some respects the golden age of our coun-
tiy's history. 1t was time which called
for men OF iron nerve, of settled conscien-
tious convictlons,a and manly independence.
1t was time which demanded men who
were not afraid to do right regardless of
the consequences who were willing TO
bear the taunts, sneers, and prosecutions
of the champions of an accused institution
intrenched behind power, wealth, learning,
influence and religious bgotry.
Sush man was found in Henry Wilson
man fortunate in his origin and useful
life, and equally fortunate in the time and
place of hiD death.
In early life he was the child Of poverty
and domestic sorrow he was cast out up
on the cold charities of the world and LEFT
upon his own resources he labored and
struggled, buffeting the worlds adverse
fortunes and storms with strong arm and