New-York tribune., 1876-05-06
VISE REUITIVUS.

How many people are there in the country
who know that Henry Alexander Wise of
Virginia is still as quick as everf still visor-
Gus with the old idiosyncrasies at the age OF
seventy years7 still able to make speech
with something of the fiery force In 1t which
warmed the debates in Congress forty
wears ago7 Only q day or two since, he
argued the contested case of Platt agt Go0de
before the House Election Committee, and was
AS clever and episodcal as ever. AS we read
of his argument we recalled much which
has passed into history-the desperate efforts
TO overthrow the Jackson and Van Buren
DYNASTY, which successfully eliminated in
1910: the many and various scandals OF the
TYLER administration the Graves and Cilley
duel: the bold rencOunters of the young
gladiator with John Quincy Adams; the bril-
liant canvass against the Virginia Know
Nothings in 1854; tho alliance with Mr..
Douclas against the Kansas frauds and follies;
the John Brown tragedy; the campaigns of
Brigadier- General Wise during the Rebellion,
with their not over glorious results. Here is a
life covering the most momcntous period OF
the republics history, and entirely devoted to
public affairs. The biography of such man,
should it ever be written, ought to present
perfect portraiture of the Nirginian politician
with all the whms and passions and amusing
preiudices which go to make up that singular
character Of none of these apparently have
increasing years deprived Gen. Wise. lie
talked in Washington on Thursday just as
recklessly and dognatically as he talked there
years ago. He could not argue his case with
out getting into passion. He wandered from
the tonic i'm hand to denOunce the C0nscrva-
tive party of Virginia, calling it by all man
ncr of hard Names and assigning to it all
sorts of disreputable motives. He is still
Rebel in grain, though lie TOOK occasion to
speak well of the President. IL Virginia
should seccdc once more tomorrow, we
should know where to seek the ancient MEM
ber for the Eastern Shore.
Mr.. Wise is interesting as about the last of
the old Virginia regime. The class to which
he belonged il nearly extinct; nor is there any
reason to anticipate its revival. The politics
which had their beginning and end in Virginia
interests and notions. are utterly obsolete.
The speeches, two-thirls inilammatory rhetoric
and the remainder schoolman's logic, which
were once so interesting to the Old Dominion
voter, interest him no longer. Hard words
have ceased to provoke ducls. The State ar
rogance has gone with the aristocratlc class.
The whole constituency has been changed. and
the old stump speeches would no longer prove
effective. The Mother of Presidents can no
more demand the highest official honor for her
progeny. The great territory has been divided.
All is changed.
Yet in these mutations we find nothing for
regret We question whether public men OF
the class to which Gov. Wise belongs were
ever wise guides of their commonwealtll-wc
are certain that they would not be now. The
best of Virginia remains She has still her rich
natural resources, the advantages of her geo
graphical position, and all the possibilities of
prosperity upon which Gov. Wise was wont 50
affcctionately to dwell. 1t will be the better
for her if those of her who devote them
selves to public affairs, shall condesccnd to
practical wisdom, and avoid hair splitting ab-
stractIons The thought which has been wasted
upon constitutional speculatons may be de-
voted to more practical purposes. Her arms,
no longer employed to hug traditions, may ex-
pend their energy in rescung her soil from
sterility, in promoting commerce, and in build
ing up manufactures. The old man who will
in the course of nature soon be gone, will not
be shocked mt the establishment of public
schools and the increase of popular intelli-
gence, while innovation and enterprise will
bring the prosperity which he has so much
desired. although under absurd and impossible
conditions.