Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-04-12
william Lyme Wilson.

cent number published lengthy bic
graphical sketch of the late Hon. VIM.
l.. Wilson. with illustrations, by VIM.
| Jett Lauck, and said editorially:
Whenever great man arises among
the children OF men. his merits and
genius scarcely ever receive due appreeia-
ton during his lifetime. but when the
end has come and his soul passes INTO the
great beyond. leaving its record of the
deeds doue IN the flesh. the first note of
commentator is heard. and gradually
increases in volume until it becomes the
swelling chorus of praise of nation or
of the world as the case may be. Often
times it requires the removal of a
generation or even of an age before the
clouds of prejudices and antipathies
which surround the man are cleared away
and he becomes known as he really was.
Such was not the case with Mr.. Wilson.
| During the entire course of his public
and private life even when he was the
centre of political storm and partisan
feeling was running nigh. however much
his opponents and the country at large
differed with him, their vision was clear
enough to see behind all this the man as
he stood exalted in his stalwart upright
ness, his unrivaled powers of INTELLECT. his
keen sense of right and justice, and
his devotion to duty AT the time of his
death the nation, irrespective of old
affiliations, was unit in striving to
render praise to the great man who with
out fear and without reproach. during
his short span of life, occupied SO many
high positions of trust and honor.
The life of the artist finds expression
in the painting which his genius conceives
and his skill traces upon the canvas; the
life of the composer finds expression in
the melodies which flow from his soul to
delight his fellow man; the life of the
sculptor finds expression in the beautiful
statue which his intellect creates and his
divinely given skill carves from the
marble slab; the life of the teacher and
the clergyman find expression in thr up
lifting influence upon the lives of other
men; the life of the statesman finds ex-
| preston in his services to his country. to
humanity and to his Creator
AS we look back over the earthly
pilgrimage of William Lyme Wilson. the
student, the soldier, the teacher. the
legislator and the statesman, We find
the expression of life most varied and
native Southland found in him brave
and gallant defender in the arena OF
civil life he demonstrated the fact that
a man could fill highest positions in the
legislative and administrative branches
of this government without letting his
garments become spotted with the stains
of political corruption. In him the cause
of education found an earnest advocate
and teacher. Young men discovered in
him an inspiration; humanity is not
bounded by the years of finite tlme which
marks its beginning and close. Its in
huence will go on increasingly so long as
mankind strives after the attainment Of
high character, useful service and right
eousuess.
AS president of Washington and Lee
/ University Mr.. Wilson WAS in close touct
with all the students. knew then
personally. and showed deep interes
in their individual welfare. He was eve
alert to their interests, encouraged
athletics. and gave his support to al
other forms of student enterprise. H
was easily approached, advice to an
student was freely gwen, and admonitiol
where the occasion demanded 1t. In re
turn he was loved and honored by tn
students, who always found in him a
! inspiration to all that was noble and loft
in their nature.
Those who were so fortunate as to NEE
with him in his most mature years, an
to sit and receive instruction at his fee
now foster and cherish the moulding il
fluences which he planted in our lives
There was. there is, no man more lovabl'
more noble or more inspiring.
, Ga March "a. 1901. William McKinle,
our lamented President, and the distif
. guished advocate of a protective tariff
wrote of Mr.. Wilson as follows
William L. Wilson was devoted |
lofty ideals. Although a man of gre;
Tearing and of pronounced literary taste
he actively participated in pubic affai
ID and gave to his country his best servic
= Those who were associated with hi
learned to respect him for the purity
his motives and the sincerity of h
It. nature, while his advocacy of measure
of legislation was so able as to win f
: them the fullest hearing from their o
: ponents.
= Shortly afterwards Hon. w. ]. Brys
made the following statement:
Il became acquainted with Hon. w
ham L. Wilson at the beginning of Il
Fifty Second Congress and was throw
he with him almost constantly througho
" nv brief service III the House OF K
7
!. representatives.. especially during the FIT
third Congress. when he was charms
:. of the Committee on Ways and Means
fF Mr.. Wilson was most lovable cha
acter and no intimate associate cou
~. ba.or,,ru attached ~ hsro T.
n modesty and even temper. his gen
u nature and fund OF humor made hi
an agreeable companion. while his s,ro
convictions. untiring industry Al