“My friend and classmate, George Bancroft, the historian, has written this letter to me out of a full heart: 

“’Your fellow townsman, Silas Wright, is now the largest figure in Washington.  We were all worried by the resolution of Henry Clay until it began to crumble under the irresistible attack of Mr. Wright.  On the 16th he submitted a report upon it which for lucid and accurate statements presented in the most unpretending manner, won universal admiration and will be remembered alike for its intrinsic excellence and for having achieved one of the most memorable victories ever gained in the United States Senate.  After a long debate Clay himself, compelled by the irresistible force of argument in the report of Mr. Wright, was obliged to retire from his position, his resolution having been rejected by a vote of 44 to 1.’”

With what pride and joy I heard of this great thing that my friend had accomplished!  The schoolmaster went on: 

“It is a very good and proper thing, my boys, that you should be inspired by the example of the great man, whose home is here among us and whose beloved face is as familiar as my own, to try your talents in the service of the state.  There are certain things that I would have you remember.

“First—­Know your subject-inside and outside and round about and from beginning to end.

“Second—­Know the opinions of wise men and your own regarding it.

“Third—­Be modest in the use of your own opinions and above all be honest.

“Fourth—­Remember that it is your subject and not yourself that is of prime importance.  You will be tempted to think that you are the great part of the business.  My young friends, it will not be true.  It can not be true.  It is not you but the thing you stand for that is important.

“Fifth—­The good of all the people must be the thing you stand for—­the United States of America.

“Now I wish you to observe how our great fellow townsman keeps his subject to the fore and himself in the background.

“It was in 1834 that he addressed the Senate regarding the deposits of public money.  He rose to voice the wishes of the people of this state.  If he had seemed to be expressing his own opinions he would have missed his great point.  Now mark how he cast himself aside when he began: 

“’I must not be understood as, for one moment, entertaining the vain impression that opinions and views pronounced by me, here or elsewhere, will acquire any importance because they are my opinions and views.  I know well, sir, that my name carries not with it authority anywhere, but I know, also, that so far as I may entertain and shall express opinions which are, or which shall be found, in accord with the enlightened public opinion of this country, so far they will be sustained and no further.’

“Then by overwhelming proof he set forth the opinion of our people on the subject in hand.  Studiously the Senator has hidden himself in his task and avoided in every possible way attracting attention from his purposes to his personality.