Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 12.pdf/22

 Henry A. Wise of Virginia. transfer the contempt of no reply as an in the more praiseworthy in him as a slave sult offered to himself, and challenged Cilley. holder. In 1853 it was discontinued. After his return to his native country, Mr. Wise was blamed for not exercising the influence of prevention in the case; but some Mr. Wise resumed the practice of law, and fancied obligation to Mr. Graves made him he proved very successful as an advocate, aid him in the arrangement of the encounter, especially in criminal trials. His study of which resulted in the death of Mr. Cilley. legal precedent, his subtle and earnest ora The evening before this deed, which was tory, had great effect. Anecdotes are told kept prospectively very quiet, unfortunately, of his fertile wit and adaptation to circum stances. On one occasion he and some the wife of one of the New England mem bers of Congress was conversing with the companions on a vacation trip happened Maine member, and she happened to say: upon a revival meeting, and an elder in "Oh, it was a mere accident, as so many charge, marking the sober expression of things are." " Yes," said Mr. Cilley, with Mr. Wise, called on him to exhort. He an agonized expression passing over his knew that his companions would imbibe face, as she afterwards remembered, " but freely, which he did not, and he took for his text: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink accidents lead to terrible tragedies some times." No duel ever excited greater horror is raging, and he that is deceived thereby is than this, when 'a New England man — a not Wise;" and talked so earnestly on tem son of the Pilgrim Eathers — fell a victim to perance and religion that the elder congratu a criminal custom never tolerated in that lated him on being so able a laborer in the section of the country. Nothing ever af vineyard. fected the personal popularity of Wise like As a member of the constitutional con his participation in this incident, and it was vention in Virginia, Henry A. Wise took a brought up as a damper to all praise of any leading and very important part. There had thing chivalric and attractive in him. An been established in the former constitution of anti-duelling act was soon after passed in Virginia, in 1776, an unequal representation in regard to the tide-water counties on Congress. eastern portions of the State and those west In 1842, John Tyler appointed Wise min ister to France, but the Senate rejected the of the Appalachian chain. A reform of this nomination. He was sent subsequently as inequality was sought and eloquently advo minister to Brazil. His farewell address cated by Mr. Wise. He pointed out the to his constituents, as he was about to start domination of planter interest which had for South America, was characteristic of prevented the establishment of large towns, him. He said: "At the earliest eligible and the construction of railroad union be period of life, you took me up, a poor boy, tween the east and west of the State. His without adequate merit, and you have ever influence was exerted for harmony and prog ress; and he contended that while property since upheld me by your generous confi dence, though my faults and infirmities have should be protected, it should not form the been many and great." He then pleaded basis of legal voting. After a long and te with them to tax themselves for the pay dious debate, in which Wise was taunted ment of the State debt, and for public with radical and revolutionary views against property, which would divide the State, a schools, lamenting the proportion of citi zens of Virginia who could not read and new constitution was formed, and Virginia write. As a minister to Brazil, he won the took a long stride in just legislation. commendation of all true friends of human In 1854, Henry A. Wise was nominated ity by his opposition to the slave trade, all as a candidate for governor of Virginia