Year: 1865

brought into the canvass, and he was forced
into direct antagonism with many with
whom he had previously acted in concert
1t was a great mistake and so he felt it, but
the party intent Oh its own salvation only
forced him into the leadership, and although
he was elected by ten thousand majority
five thousand greater than Polk's, yet this
same party selfishness insured his defeat
two years later.


tion through the machinery of the two
third rule, in consequence of his Texas let
ter; and yet, it had to use his friends to
succeed. A nomination to the Vice Presi-
dency was therefore given to Mr.. Wright
He refused it promptly, and at length, was
persuaded to give up his place in the Sen
ate, and receive the nomination for Cover
nor of the state for the sole and only pur-
pose of securing it to Mr.. Polk This was
d great sacrifice for Mr.. Wright. By ac-
cepting the nomination of Governor he be-
came again mixed up with New York local


This was the glorious era of Democrats
and Wings, of Barn-burners and Hunkers,
of Locofocos, of Freesoilers, of Hard shells
and Soft shells, of Anti-slavery, Anti-Rum,
and now and then an ancient fossilized An
ti-Mason-there were presses and platforms
and promises and pledges, caucus conven-
tions and conferences, each party had an
organization and nearly each man candi-
date. But when a man of known talent
and probity was brought out for Office, it
was often the case that those of different
shades of opinion would unite in his sup
manner Mr.. Wright was successful in the
first canvass he made for Governor But
if such combinations sometimes result in
the choice of the right man, other combi-
nations may in that of the wrong one, and
in this way he was defeated i'll the last. Mr..
Wright lost his election on the second trial
by the anti-rent vote. His opponent, John
Young, a shrewd talented man, made fair
promises, and in some counties he received
an overwhelming support. Mr.. Wright
had also vetoed the canal bill and as a con
sequence, many Hunkers deserted him.
That bill, had it become a law, whould have
re-inaugurated the spendthrift policy, and
have enabled thousands to grow fat upon
the public treasure The State owes him
much for his firmness 1t was this selfish
ness of his party which consigned him to
private life, for notwithstanding the anti
rent detection, he would have been success
full had the Hunkers been faithful


After his term of Governor had expired,
Mr.. Wright retired to Ills farm of thirty
acres in st. Lawrence county, and there in
the peaceful pursuits of private life forgot
the excitement of political and the tumult
of partizan strife. He plowed and sowed,
and reaped and moved, and planted and
narrowed. The rising sun found him abroad
in the feld-he hoed his row and kept his
swath with his hired man-he harnessed
his team and drew his fuel and cut it for
use, he went to mill and to the blacksmith
shop, to the store and post-office, to train
ings, and meetings, and gatherings of the
people. In fact, he was one of them in all
respects, engaged in the same pursuits, en-
jOying the same pastime, and sympathizing
in all their interests What stranger would
recognize in the rather stout, full chested,
full faced, sun-burnt man in frock and trow-
ses, leading the field of mowers in a hot
sunny day, Silas Wright, Ex-Governor and
ex-senator, whose great speech had so
charmed him in the reading, and which had
established on a sure basis the true policy
this great Nation?


What faculty of the mind made Sias
Wright the man he undoubtedly was? 1t
was the power of ANALYSIS. He could ex-
anime and inquire and from thence there
flowed forth by an irresistible logic the
TRUTH the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth You could no more dispute his con-
clusion than you could the simplest prob
lem in mathematics You were taken by
surprise and convinced against your will.
In the American Senate, where he won his
great victories, he was assured of a tri-
umph upon equal ground. Long before
other minds had found basis of action, his
had gone over the whole field Of inquiry,
and by an almost intuitive analysis had
unburrowed the truth Other minds there
were, undoubtedly, in some respects, su-
perior to his but for correct logic, close
analysis, overwhelming argument, none his
equal. His true position was that of Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of the United
States.


Once more,-his excellence lay not alone
in his intellect. Silas Wright was an hon
est man-his path lay straight before him
and the end he sought was pure, and Just
He never descended to the arts of the mere
politician, he despised the low jugglery and
chicanery which constitutes the only stock
in trade of some successful men, Thomas
Fl. Benton of Missouri, called him the Cate
of America, an appellation well earned and
merited by long and distinguished career
which if not as brilliant, was yet as usefu


to his country, as that of those who sought