Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-12-01

derry watched by his three daughters, Miss
Harriet Wed, Mrs Emily Wced-Barnes,
and Mrs. Maria Weed Barnes Of Albany,
his three young granddaughter, and MIR.
and Mrs. Frederick Seward. Mr.. Weeds
wife died in 1851
He learned his trade as printer in the
Office Of Machy Croswell, ut Catskill, N. Y.
He served as private in the war OF 1912, on
the Northern frontier, aud afterwards as
quartermaster-ser Almost as soon as
he was of age he began his career as journ-
alist by establishing the A9,iculuyist at
Norwich, Chenango county, n. y. His FIST
appearance as fgure of national i'm
portance, however, grew out OF the mtlnora-
bic anti Masonic agitation, of which young
Weed became one of the leaders. lie founded
The Anti Masonic inquirer at Rochester,
N. Y, and was twice elected as an anti
Masonic member of the State Assembly. In
1926 he won his spurs Jas master OF party
tactics, and Il natural political manager, by
his successful efforts 10 secure the election
OF De Witt Clinton as Governor. Those
were the days Of Democratic ascendancy,
and "thc Albany Regency" was sll-poweriui
| in The politics of New York. AT the end OF
/
Mr. Weed removed to Albany aud became
the editor of the Albany Ecening Journal,
an anti .Jack.on paper. From that time on
he was Largely the brains of that Wing
organization which eventually overthrow
the Albany Regency elCced William ii.
Seward Governor in 1888, and led
the way 10 the Hard Cider campaign of
1910, when the Wing triumph was COM
pleted by the election OF William Henry
Harrison as President. The Albany Argus.
as result OF that political revolution, lost the
State printing very profitable contract,
which forthwith fell to Mr.. Weeds ErenMg
JOurndl. Tie New York Uerdd thereupon
dubbed him with the title OF state Barber"
During Stewards Governorship 1hurlow
was the power behind the throne and his
counsels were supreme in the Executive
| Chamber, in the Direction OF the Wing
policy, and in the management OF the patron
| ave. In 1912 the Democrats once more held
the legislature, and the State printing, which
was the main bone of contention between the
party Journals OF that far-oif-day, was
| transferred again to the Argus. In 1854 the
political wheel took another revolution, and
Mr.. Weeds journal again monopollzcd the
valuable State printing, only to lose 1t again
in 1855 when it passed 10 the consolidated
| Albany Atlas ami Argus. The contest over
his political patronage were very fierce,
and produced many episodes which are
York journalism
From the time OF Stewards election Il.
Governor, in 1898, Mr.. Weed was
recognized as the political Warwick OF the
Empire State. He formed the famous part
nershp of Seward, Wed and Greeley
Weed secured Greeley rs the editor of the Log
Cabin in 1s39-40. and the three men worked
together, two in front and one behind the
scelc, throughout the festive "Tippecanoe
and Tylor too campaign. The firm was
maintained till 1856, when Weed earnestly
laborcd for Mr.. Stewards nomination for the
Presidency, and Mr.. Greeley retired from
the partnership. No man was more potential
than Mr.. Weed in securing the Presidential
nomination of Harrison, Taylor and Scott
Ills was the potential voice in the anterooms
Of each Of the conventions which nominated
those candidates. He steadily refused TO
hold any Office himself, and never enjoyed
any office emoument OF any kind save what
he derived from the State printing, as already
stated. When he was named, many years
since, for the United States Senate, as lie
had been often previously named for other
high offices, Mr.. Weed used in declining the
prOfIered honor, this striking language
Hooking back through the long vista OF
time that has elapsed forty years
since responsible and delicate political duty
devolvcd upon us, it is much less matter
of surprise that we are surrounded, in our
own party, with enemies, than that amidst
the dislppoinlments and jealousies incident
to the experience of all parties we retain so
much of its regard. Wien it is supposed
that an individual exercises influence in the
councils and conventions Of his party
I,,,hn ~ ait of I'm
dreds are disappointed, nothing but an
abiding faith among the people in that
individuals judgment and unseliishness can
sustain him. All men err, but if politician,
whom the people trusts, endtacOrS to do
right, thdy find it out and stand by him."
The people of New Yoik certainly found it
out in his case and stood by him. In 1860
he again champicned the nomination of
Seward, but as in 1856 he worked zcalously
for the success of Fremont 50 in 1860 he
devoted himself withoat reserve to the
election of Abraham Lincoln.
In November, 1861, Mr.. Weed went to
Europe on a secret mission oontidcd TO him
by President Lincoln, and rendered semi
diplomatic service to the Union cause of
great value lie returned home in June,
1852, and soon after severed his connection
with the Albany Evening Journal His last
prominent appearance on the political stage
was in company with Henry j. Raymond
in organizing the historic ''arm-n-arm con-
vcntion," held at Philadelphia, during Andy
Johnson's administration.
He removed to New York city June /,
1865, and after living in the house No. IL
West Ninth street, which was formerly oc-
cupied by the late Henry j. Raymond, for
one year he bought from Mr.. James Blatch-
ford, the house IN which he lived up to the
time of his deccasc, No. 12 West Twelfth
street. For few months after removing to
New York, Mr.. Weed was the cditor-in-chef
OF the New York Commercial Adrertjser, in
which he owned proprietary interest.
He was Obliged to retire from that paper
however, on account OF failing health, and
since then has devoted the remnant of his
energies to his private affairs, varying his
leisure by writing "reminiscences of the many
notable men of his time, and frequently
| venluring into prin, TO give his counsel on
passing crises the wisdom and patriotism Of
which never failed to command respectful
attention.
The veteran politician was n warm lover
of general literature, and contributed some
notable papers to the magazines of his time
His Letters from Europe and the West
Indies" were published in book form, in
1866 and enjoyed II wide reading. lie took
deep interest in the authorship of the
Junius Letters aud while in London he in-
vestigated the evidence touching the alleged
authorship of Sir Philip Francis, and said
that it was established, to his mind, beyond
doubt, or cavi" Personally, Mr.. Weed
was most genial man, of homely, simple
manners, u brilliant cOnversationalist, full of
anecdotes, and of ready wit, which won
aud kept for him hosts Of friends. His
personal character was blamelcss. his patriot
ism unqueslioned
Sir John Lubbock has lately given an ac-
count of some fresh experiments with refer