The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-01-13
Martin Van Buren,. and Silas
Wright.
By Mrs. Il. T T. Martin.
Published by request.

Avery close intimacy existed be-
tween Mr.. Van Buren, and Mr.
Wright, and their long and true
friendship had its spring and per-
manence in the profound respect
and confidence each entertained for
the other. We were with the en-
President on his first visit to the
st. Lawrence, after the death of his
lamented friend; and an incident
in that excursion to the Thousanl
Islands can never be effaced from
the memory of those who witnessed
the scene on the shore of the ma
jestic river, which at once divides
and connects the British possess
ions with our own.
A party of gentlemen had come
from Ogdensburg to meet and well
come Mr.. Van Buren, and his
friends to the neighborhood of their
home, and Il fishing excursion was
planned for the day. The several
boats containing the invited guests
were to go distance of six miles
up the river, and all were to meet
at Grenadier Island, where a sim
pie repast had been provided; a
large boulder, fiat on the top, serv'
ing for II table. Forty years have
made great chages in that region,
tor scarcely any of the smaller
islands in that group could then
boast even the most primitive
structure which might be called a
. "home." The company that dined
together on that barreM rock have
now nearly all "passed over to the
other side" Among them, besides
the central figure, the eX-President
were DR.. Bethune, Mr.. Francis p
Blair, Hon. Preston King and
Judge Sil!well and a few personal
friends of Mr. Van Buren,, The
long row from Alexandria Bay, had
sh@rpened the appetite o. each ex-
pectant guest, and all had gathered
{ around lhe improvised table and
were eagerly waiting the announce
ment that "all things were ready
r when MIR. Van Buren,, filing his
wine glass, stepped forward on The
: rough stone platform, and, with Il
t grace and dignity peculiar to him
o self, said in softened and almost
: solemn tone: az give, the memory
J. of Silas Wright" and added:
: Though lost to sight
TO memory dear ~
4, The toast was received in silence
and not without emotion, for every
: heart responded to the tender trib
ute to the holortd and lamcuteG
statesman.
Not long after this impressive IN
:. cident Mr.. Van Barren was invited
, to make the address at the unveil
ing of monument to Silas Wrigh
Sept. 1850, at Waybridge, at hi
, early home. Gen. Wool officiated
= Mr.. Van Buren, made the principa
address. With an emphatic gest
, ure the decisive force of whicl
showed that had made him Presi
>. dent of the United States, Mr.. Val
, Buren, with deep emotion "He wa
my friend; faithful and true to me.
!, He doubtless held in sacret
memory the great Senator's fidelit,
to him when absent from the coun
:, try, he parted the blows dealt b.
his political assailants who feare,
the increasing popularity of thei
!, rival, and were determined to de
- throne him in the hearts of the pee
pie.
., Thirteen years after Mr.. Wright
i. noble defense of his friend, Nj
Van Buren, was visited by sewers
:, distinguished gentlem en-, who wer
=, acknowledged leaders of his part.
:, After entertaining them as was hi
wont, he said in parting, 'Gentlt
men, the only thing you can d
m with man like Silas Wright is {
ID let him go up and Outw M
Wright, however, had no ambitio
o for the Presidency, and the desir
y. of his friends for his further prone
M ton had no counterpart in his ow
"a breast. ale served in his country
- need" and few years after the o,
currence here related he passe
as quietly to his rest, leaving "behin
him an honored and honorab
name among American statesmen
al He died August -, 1S47.-Utica q
" W Observer, Nov. so, 1891.
A Sad Accident.