Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-11-23
Joseph A. Wright.

Starve it out.
Joseph A. Wright.
Prof. P. Wiley OF Asbury Uni
versity delivered a lecture on Sunday
evening at the NJ. E. church on the
life and services OF Joseph A. Wright
He commenced by saying that the
subject OF his remarks was born In
poverty. He was acquainted with
toll from his earliest years. Some OF
the brick in the old state University
building at Bloomington were
moulded by his hand. What edu-
cation he had he obtained at this
school, while he was acting as jani-
tor. His pocket money he used to
obtain by gathering and selling wal
nuts and hickory nuts. After leav-
ing the University he studied law
with Judge Hestor OF Bloomington
and was afterward elected to the
State Legislature, serving in both
houses. With Judge White, Robert
Dale Owen and others he was fore
most in laying the foundations OF
our common school system. In 1913
he was elected to Congress by a
determined canvass against for
midable opponent, and in 1847 he
was made Governor OF the state. In
1853 he was reelected under the new
constitution by a majority of 10000
1857 he was made Minister to Prussia
where he remained until 1861 when
he was recalled by Lincoln, because,
as the latter said, he wanted the best
men at home. In 1862 Gov. Morton
appointed Elk Gov. Wright to sue
coed Jesse ID. Bright In the United
States senate. In 1868 he was
sent as United States Commits
sioner 10 the Hamburg Fair, and in
1865 was re-appointed Minister to
Prussia by President Johnson. He
remained in Berlin until he died, May
10th, 1867.
He had held public Office for 80
years, and during that time he was
wholly incorruptible, not a breath OF
suspicion attaching to any OF his pub
lie acts. Before dying he said: IF
anything pleases me it is that ! never
did violence to my conscience nor ac-
cepted bribs." He was the Presi-
dent OF the county agricultural
socie y, where he lived, and OF the
state agricultural society. He made
many speeches in the state to ad-
vance the cause Of in: elligent farm
ing and did n great deal to intro
duce improvements in agricultural
machinery and methods.
His political character was above
reproach. and he never INDUCED In
villification OF his opponent. In 1856
the lecturer heard all the great men
OF the Democratic party, and he
thought Joseph A. Wright lowered
above them all. His patriotism was
undoubted and uncwerving. 1t was
while at Berlin, before coming home
that he wrote; IF any man speaks
against the flag, shoot him down-he
is a traitor"
While at home he was inspecting
several farms about Greencastle with
the intention OF purchasing. ard when
questioned about his delay, he re-
piled: Il must have a government
first before farm" and while In
Washington consulting with Lincoln
he said to him: ~Is you don't put
down this rebellion 1 know OF $4,000
men in the west that will come here
and put you out OF Office"
Great as was his political work hi
did a greater moral and religious
work. In 1887 he united with the
Methodist Church. In the old st
John Church IN Philadelphia there i.
seen on the walls these words: "Or
der and kindness" This was tn,
motto which he gave for that Sunday
School, and they inscribed it where i
is to be seen to-day.
While he lived In Rockville, a bit
terness arose between him and |,
political opponent, Steele. As tn,
New Years morning came, Wrigh
went to his house and calling him Il
the door, said: Il am not going Il
live this way-I am going to live a
Christian man, and am going t.
treat you US q Christian While a
Berlin all his receptions were helt
without the use OF wine. He formed
while there German Methods
church, which was free, one-half thu
time, to any Protestant worship. A
warm friendship existed between hin
and Baron Won Humboldt; and Will,
at the Prussian capital he testified
constantly to his belief in Christianity
While lying on his death bed he said
Il know that / am right, and
wouldn't give the universe for tn,
assurance OF my belief In the life here
after" The lecturer referred to hi
fire quent examinations into the char
acter Of our public men, and appealed
to young men to first seek Christ IL
their life aspirations. for only men o
exalted Christian character have hel,
the highest positions OF trust AM
honor under our government.
Mr.. Jessie Haines, Of Collamer
Whitley county met with a serious &C
cident last week. While endeavorine
to cross the river with load OF straw
the wagon upset from some cause
and threw him down the bank som
thirty feet, breaking his leg, two o
his ribs, and otherwise injuring him
from the result OF which he died Sur
day night.