Year: 1876

Services.


From New York Times


The reputation which Mr.. Wheeler enjoys
is pecul:, one He is most trusted wher,
he is best known. In his own district, among
plain, sincere and intelligent constituency
he has the absolute confidence of the people
In Congress, where he has labored for nearl,
ten years, he commands the unfeigned respec
of those who have worked by his side. Oh
the arts of the politician lie is not master; Of
those of the orator he is equally innocent
and yet it is common saying in Washington
that he never undertook the responsibility Of
carrying measure, or of defeating one, thai
he did not succeed. When we consider how
much moral and intellectual force this implies
how much sound judgment, laborious com
mand of facts, good temper, knowledge Of
men, tact, and, above all, sterling honesty Of
purpose, we can see that this modest man from
the banks of the St. Lawrence was born TO be
in the best sense, ruler of men. But this
reputation he has acquired in the committee
and on the floor of the House when purely sd.
ministrative measures were under considera.
tion, and when the general public, though in
terested in the results, paid little attention to
the means or the men instrumental in securing
them.


On one occasion, however, sufficiently re-
cent to be readily recalled, Mr.. Wheeler was
required to take part in task of conspicuous
national interest and of permanent Importance.
1t was the settlement of the Louisiana difficult
ties. During the last session of the last Con-
gress this question came before the House in
connection with the result of the elections of
the previous Fall. 1t was a question which
had taxed, and, we may say, overtaxed the
wisdom of the President and of the ablest
members of the Senate. The President had
felt compelled to act it in a manner which of
fered no hope of a peaceful and lasting issue;
the Senate had after endless discussion, allow
ed it to pass undecided, and little was expect
ed froR the work of the House Committee
sent down to New Orleans to investigate it
once more. Yet, thanks to the sagacity,
and the simple straightforward, patriotic and
purpose of Mr.. Wheeler, the committee sue
ceeded in bringing the vexed question to so
happy conclusion that the Federal Govern
ment had not since been required to touch it,
and the people of Louisiana have enjoyed as
much political tranquility as they could possi-
bly, hope for. This was accomplished by all
parties agreeing to accept as final the award of
Mr.. Wheeler's committee as to the result of
the previous election. 1t is not easy to over
estimate the capacity for inspiring confidence
which such an achievement required in the
leader who chiefly effected 1t. All agree that
it was due mainly to Mr.. Wheeler, whose pa
tience, candor, business, and drmness con.
vinced all minds and won all hearts. 1t is an
additional proof of the wisdom and essential
fairness of the settlement that it has not been
disturbed during the past fifteen months of
politicel excitement. Shortly after its compile
tion some complaint was made by Republicans
that the Democrats were taking an unfair ad-
vantage in carrying out the settlement; but
Mr.. Wheeler promptly laid before the public,
through the Times, an explanation of the mat
ter, with a frank and clear justification of the
course of his political opponents. From first
to last, his object in the matter was justice, as
near exact as possible, and no partisan impulse
interfered with his purpose. In concluding
the explanatory statement to which we refer,
Mr.. Wheeler made the following remarks.
They embrace as complete statement of
sound policy on the Southern questionable
most important even yet that the country can
consider-as we have had from any public
man:


And now closing werd-the result of my
personal observation in the South. We of the
North delude ourselves in expecting that the
masses of the South, so far behind US in many
of the attributes of enlightened improvement
and civilization, are, in the brief period of ten
or fifteen years, to be transformed into our
model Northern communities. That can only
come through long course Of patient waiting,
to which no one can now set certain bounds.
There will be good deal of unavoidable fric-
ton, which will call for forbearancc, and
which will have to be relieved by the temper
ate, fostering care of the Government. One of
the most potent if not indispensable agencies
in this direction will be the devising of some
system to aid in the education of the masses.
The fact that there are whole counties in Lou
isiana in which there is not solitary school
house. is full of suggestion. We compelled
these people to remain in the Union, and now
duty and interest demand that we leave no
just means untried to make them good, loyal
citizens. How to diminish the frictioa, how
to stimulate the elevation Of this- portion Of
our country, are problems addressing them
selves to our best and wissst: ssssemuaaships
The foundation for these clIorts must be hid
in satisfyins the Seatha1 psople thae ethey srs
10 he eqna4 ezask jusAis essssssll 10 thsllis
Giss4hem. % ahs fnllssk eztuu, ,1szy hassls
ing whfeAths Gevsznnsut sauzux lapan h