New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-13


the the Union far the lives of its oonspicu
GUS men concerned, Is passing into history Those
whose public services are associated with the slavery
discussion that preceded the have fallen in wonder
ful rapty during the past decade. few years more
will leave ouly small number remaining III their old
age Gov Wise began life politician, and through
oa long political career of thirty years continually
before the public conspicuous way But his history
was n cheesered and curious one friend of slavery
when that subject frat became important In national
politics, he elected Governor OF Virginia in canvass
directed against Acknowledgement; was in Office
during john Browns seizure of Harpers Ferry and his
subsequent execution and when rebellion appeared in
tie South came forward the field brigadlergon-
era the Kanawha Valley and afterward was in COM
niand on the island OF Roanoke.
Henry Alexander Wise was born at Drummondtown,
Aecomac County, Va, Dee. g. 1906. Having been grad
uaed from Washington College, Pennsylvania, in 1925,
nc studied law and settled in Nashville Tenn but in
1880 he returned to Accomac and three years later was
sent to Congress by the Jackson party After the cleo
tion no fought duel with his competitor for the office
He served In Congress until 1S44, and on tho develop
ment of the bank policy of Gen. Jackson went over to
the opposition, and took strong ground in favor of
slavery. In 1874 be resigned his position in Congress,
he had served eleven years to accept appoint
ment Minister 90 Brazil President Tyler had pre-
viousy appointed him Minister to France, but the Senate
refused confirm the nomination Mr. Wise resided in
Rio do Janero until October 1S47, and on his
return home became supporter OF the M
ocratio candidate for President In 1855, Mr..
Wise was candidate for Governor OF Vir-
gina, and after very active against "Know-
Nothingisn." elected, and continued 70 hold the
Office until 1850 The campaign Of 1855 has been spoken
OF one of the successful in politics" The new
party had been carrying everything before It, The en-
thusasm caused by it had spread 10 other States, when
MIR Wise appeared it's fearless opponent He aversed
the State from the mountains to the sea, making adj
In rit am
Mr. Wises slavery sym pathy early took deep root III
October 1885, convention Of Southern Governors was
held at Raleigh, n. G., at the invitation of Gov Wise
The gathering was kept secret al the time, but he
afterward said that had Fremont been elected PreSi
dent he would have marched at the head OF 2OOOO
TO Washington and taken possession OF the Capitol
thus preventing tac inauguration Toward the close OF
his term of office occurred the seizure Of Harpers Ferry
by John Brown whose execution was one of the last
acts OF his administration. When Brown had removed
from Chambersbg Md and taken up IFS residence on
an dnOccupied farm Six miles from Hapers Ferry ana
Lad subsequently akon possession OF the United states
arsenal at that place. the State militia from surrounding
towns besleged his little force and tue arrival of Gen
Robert L. Lee with BODY OF United States marines
Brown and his men disarmed and after lighting TO
the last Brown himself taken prisoner In danger
ousy wounded condition. Gov Wise visited him In his
confinement and crOss-examined him closely as 10 his
motives and objects, but failed to elicit any other
OF Virginia, and that ho acted with authority
from God Almighty" Brown was imprisoned In the jail
in CharlestOwn Va and in few dayc was indicted for
conspiracy with negroes 10 produce Instruction Tor
treason against the Commonwealth Of Virginia. aud for
murder. On Oct 81 be found guilty on oil the
counts and sentenced to be hanged on Dec. 2 While
no was being jail the crowd which followed
MIN ored in great numbers Lynch him, lynch bin !"
But Gov WISE who there hushed them at last into
silence.
in February, 1861, Gov Wise was elected member Of
the State Convention which assembled on Feb. 10 He
served as a Ineuber Of committee on Federal Relations
in which lie made report proposing that virginia await
therespOnse States before determining
whether she resume the powers granted her under the
Constitution Of the United States meanwhile insisting
that coercion be attempted and calling Tor cohNen-
ton ut Frankfort. KY in the coming May. BIZ. Wise
differed from the report IN some OF It's details, ana
favored going further in the direction On the 9th
Of April resolution, introduced by Mr. WISE TO the effect
that Virginia recognize the independence OF the seoedng
States was adopted Eight days later the Ordinance
of Secession passed the convention In secret
session. and Mr.. Wise voted for IT, He was soon after
ward appointed BrigadierGenera in the Confederate
army in the Summer of 1862 lac was In command OF the
rebel troops in the Kanawba Valley, in West Virginia,
where he was attacked by Cen j. d. Coe and forced TO
leave his position. Later than this he commanded at
Roanoke Island Co where his forces were defeated by
Gen Burnside's expedition, his son 0. j. Wise being
among the killed The forces under his command were
known as Wise Legion" and after the Roanoke de-
feat his brigade roorganized and took part IN the
Peninsular campaign. In 1868 he was with Cen
Reaureeard in sonth Carolina In May, 1854, he was
ordered 10 Petersburg, where he remained actively
engaged i'm the defense until his surrender WITH Cen Lee
at AppomattoE Gov Wise had been the author OF the
call for Southern Governors convention In 1896 ana
was foremost among the STATE Rights men In Congress
in tho Virginia convention Of 1861 ne had been among
III. fnNt 1t.p lRaaY IA
years fighting he was the last to yield 1t was hitting
that it should His brigade fired the last infantry
guns for the Confederate cause.
Gov Wise had fought duel OF his own In which his
antagonist received fracture OF the right arm be was
the second of Graves in the famous duel with Cley ana
endeavored to prevent the contest When the yellow
fever ahou 20 wears ago. desoated the City OF Norfolk
and the people in the ne ghbOng country refused ali in
tercourse with its nh bitans who were not allowed 10
leave the city, Mr. ss had the courage and humanity
10 invite the cgens sick and we'll TO seek the fresh All
OF lis plantation a1d IN spite OF threatening MOP OF
men aud women ne brought the sufferers to his land In
largo numbers Notwithstanding lis errors "a states
man. Mr Wise was a thoroughly sincere ana earnest
Ipsu During the hours OF is life lie was conscious
and peaceful. few moments before he passed away no
said NY life has been devoted to virtue aud integrity
can cay that never robbed poor man and what s
more and what Is easier, never TObbed iich man
Since the close OF the rebellion Mr. Wise has occasion
ally been heard from, and he has not been want
ing I'm his his old-timed vehemence and impctu'
oumess But with the close OF the war his public
career was at an end. He has long been 10 Ill
health and for several days past his death WAS con
stantIy expected IN personal appearance be was tan
and thin OF stature, with shoulders and long
and erect body. His face was thin and oleanshaVeni
bs forehead large and full above deep-sei eyes, He
wore his hair long and IL dark. There was vehe-
mence IN his manner and energy 20 hs speech That
reminded many OF John Randolph aud despite the III
health from which he suffered in late life be had force
Of movements that seemed never 10 yield.