Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1902-06-24
WASHINGTON AND LEE.
An Eloquent Tribute to William L
JrfIson.

On Wednesday, the final of the Washing
the exercises were in Lee Memorial Chapel.
The feature. outside of the degrees conferr-
ed, which was of especial interest to the
winners and their relatives, was the nnyeil-
ing of the oil portrait, life-size, of the late
William L. Wilson. which he had willed to
the university. and the address made by Hon.
Isidor Straus, of New York ity, who was,
perhaps, one of Mr.. Wilson's warmest per-
sonal friend. Mr. Straus owns a warm
place in the affections of the Virgil ia VAL
ley people and those interested in the edu-
cation of the young men.
The Hon Isidor Straus, of New York, who
served in the House of Representatives and
was bis close personal friel d in unwilling
the portrait of William L. Wilson, said in
part
"WheB was thrown III close personal
contact with William L. Wilson, through
serving in the same Congress soon learned
the difference between the unselfish states
man and the selfseeking politician; between
the one who views al questions With a SIM
| gleness of purpose which looks to the best
interest of the whole country, and the other
who never rises above the confines OF his
own district The struggle between the
House and the Senate on the Wilson bill left
Mr.. Wilson almost physical wreck through
the interchangeable labor be had devoted to it.
The harrassing. never ceasiog opportunities
4 OF selfish interests t, gether with the appeals
from office seekers al d others to a man as
tapproachable as Mr.. Wilson suggested the
necessity of procuring for him at least rest
during the hours he could snatch from bis
task for meals and sleep, and induced him
to leave the rooms where they had been &C.
customtd to disturb him at all hours and
prevailed upon him to join me in my apart
ments. On the momentous night prior te
the Houses surrender to the eenates amend
ments without the dotting of an or the
crossing of a t, he was all but heartbroken
and the closing speech which be made or
that memorable occasion was under Difficult
ties which would have overwhelmed mar
with stronger physique but less pluck ant
: determination. A member of Congress wht
was politically opposed to the bill and tt
Mr.. Wilson, az Mr.. Wilson was delivering
his stirring closing speech with one ey,
bandsged and the other giving him oDl,
! such little service as enabled him to wall
without being led, said. As poor as am,
would gi7e thousand dollars for paint
ing of this pathetic scene
"Shortly after this occurrence found Mr.
Wilson sitting behind the screen in his com
mittee room. with his head between hi
hands. sobbing as if he had lost one nea
: and dear to him. On questioning him b
said: 1T is bad enough to have ones lif
work mutilated. as this bill has been; but
E have received blow from an unexpecte,
source. and that almost breaks my heart
t The President made remark to me thi
morning which cut ne to the quick
y Il told him was convinced that the Pres
dent was incapable of saying anything tina
: could reflect either upon the manner il
: which he had done his work or the method
he had employed, and that he (Mr Wilson
was surely laboring under misapprehen
sion which must be cleared up. l imme
diately went to see the President and mar
rated to him the facts, and he expressed tn
greatest astonishment that he should hav
either by word or implication been guilty O
anything that could hurt or wound Mr. Viii
son. He instantly wrote letter, which
handed to Nr. Wilson, and as its content
have never been made public / believe i
would not be out of place to convey it t
. you on this OCCASION