Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-26
Col. Joyce on President Wilson.

nently proper that the descendants OF Slade
and Harrington, pioneers in the cause OF
civil liberty, should come to the humble
tomb at Natick rs near mourners of the
illustfious 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-
tally Of fame aud Stark drove the mer-
oenaries 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 bat it
was reserved to the nineteenth century 10
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 and heroes Of the old
anti-slavery party--a party which embodied
the very essence and spirit Of integrity
perseverance, independence, honest conyic-
tions, high and exalted moral courage, aud
genuine public virtue. With these men
Henry Wilson was early enlisted in the
great work OF emancipation, an oufrauchise-
ment TO which he devoted every energy Of
body and mind during his whole life. lie
espoused this unpopular cause when it re-
quired 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 vexation and ignominy Of a temporary
defeat and with them at last reioiced in a
complete and glorious victory. And the last
public act Of his life was an eloquent and
stirring address To Yermont's survivors Of
the great conflict rejoicing with them in its
grand results and imparting words Of encour-
agement and precepts Of wisdom by which
to shape the present and guide them in the
future.
The period Of Mr.. Wilson's life was in
some respects the golden age Of our coun-
try's history II was a time which called
for men of iron nerve, of settled conscien-
tious convictions, and manly independence.
II was a time which demanded men who
were not afraid " do right, regardless Of the
consequences who were willing to bear the
taunts, sneers, and prosecutions of the cham
pions Of an accursed institution intrenched
behind power wealth, learning, influence,
and religious bigotry.
Such a man was found in Henry Wilson !;
a man fortunate in his origin and useful
life, and equally fortunate in the time and
place of his death.
Mr.. Wilson's industry was untiring and
knew 10 bounds. lie allowed himself
neither recreation nor repose, but, amid all
the vast aud multiplied labors of his official
position, devoted himself with unfaltering
courage to the second great work of his life,
the gathering up and preserving the facts
and fragments relating to the rise and fall
of the slave power in America, in order that
some future Bancroft may write the history
of that gigantic struggle and glorious vic
tory. The work he performed was immense,
and just and generous posterity will award
him the need of praise which is justly and
honestly his due for his invaluable services
in the cause of justice and equal rights.
OF his long and honorable career in the
National Legislature, need not speak it is
part Of the history of our country, and the
world knows it by heart.
His Herculean labors at the head of the
Senate committee on military affairs during
the war for the supremacy of the govern
ment is beyond description, and can be fully
known only by those who were his associates
in anxious solicitude and toll
The great Lincoln leaned upon him in the
dark hours as firm support, while every
pulsation of his heart, during the whole term
OF his official life, was for the honor aud well
fare Of the Republic, for human freedom,
and the emancipation and enfranchisement
of tho oppressed.
Among the foremost of the patriot band
to whom, under God, we are indebted for
universal liberty, peace, and a redeemed and
reunited country, stood Henry Wilson. HO
never fiinched or faltered when the heart
of the timid quaked with fear, he was al
ways hopeful and courageous; when others
doubted and turned back, he stood firm as a
rock in mid-ocean until the STERN had spent
its fury and peace again brooded over the
face of the great deep.
Vice President Wilson was not, perhaps
great as an orator, a scholar or statesman
but he was great in industry, in the power
of intense and continued application, in toll,
IN courage, IN assiduous, conscientious devo-
ton to duty.
He was great in honesty and integrity in
his moral courage, aud in the faith and prac-
tice Of Christianity.
lie marched, by the power Of his own will,
his indomitable industry, and his patriotic
impulses, from the bench of the shoemaker
to the Senate of the United States from his
humble calling at Natick, to the responsible
duties at Washington. In all his conduct,
both public and private, conscience was his
constant monitor and guiding star No
hope OF earthly reward or preferment could
swerve him from the path Of duty and nc
threats could silence his voice or cause him
to abate his ardor in the great work 10 which
he had consscrated his lie. Amid the
storms and tempests of political life, when
the loved and honored were suspected and
shaken like reed, he stood proudly forth
pure and undehled. No strain of corruption
ever furnished the lustre of his bright es
cutcheon, and no bride ever left its plague
spot upon his hand. Surrounded during hi.
Official life with the Establishments of power
and the destinations of wealth, he preserved
his character, and died comparatively poor
While many of the gifted and mighty wer,
swallowed up in the whirlpool of dissipation
and crime, he walked among them with :
charmed life, and came out Of the furnace
with not so much as the smell Of fire upon
his garments.
Every noble cause and genuine reform
found in him an eloquent advocate and an
ardent champion. He represented in an EN-.
inent degree the noble elements of our Amer
lean nationality. His life was the natural
and generous outgrowth of our free institu,
tons, and of our higher and purer ciyiliza
tion. His character and history demonstrate
what industry, will, determination, and in
tegrity can accomplish, and show the value
and advantage of steady perseverance, anC
continued and honest adherence 10 conscien
cious convictions.
He lived TO see the great work of his lf,
accomplished the political equality of al
men securely imbeddsd in the organic law
and the emaDcipated and enfranchised bond
men standing as the honored representative.
OF American freemen in both branches of thu
national legislature.
If he had ambition, ii was ambition TO dc
right, to advance the welfare OF his fellow
men, and be reckonsd among the worlds
benefactors. II he desired position, it was
because it would enable him 10 accomplish
more for humanity and render greater ser
vice to his country.
His convictions were clear cut and as firm
as the granite hills of his native state h,
believed in political parties, and loved his
own almost TO idolatry; but no partisan
blindness prevented his seeing its errors, anc
no tlmid, time-serying policy could dete
him from pointing them out aud demanding
their correction.
If he had faults, they were Of the negative
kind, and were so mixed up with bold and
generous deeds that the world could scarce
discern them.
1t is well that he died under the roof and
almost upon the very spot where he won hi,
81 l. I. .