Henry Wilson, American colonel and politician, 18th Vice President of the United States (d. 1875)

Henry Wilson: From Humble Beginnings to Vice President and Anti-Slavery Champion

Born Jeremiah Jones Colbath on February 16, 1812, Henry Wilson transcended his challenging beginnings to become a prominent American politician and a pivotal figure in the abolitionist movement. He served as the 18th Vice President of the United States from 1873 until his death in 1875, following a distinguished tenure as a Senator from Massachusetts from 1855 to 1873. Wilson's career was defined by his unwavering commitment to social justice and his relentless opposition to slavery, which he viewed as a moral stain on the nation.

A Leading Voice Against "Slave Power"

Before and during the tumultuous American Civil War, Henry Wilson emerged as a formidable leader within the burgeoning Republican Party and an ardent foe of slavery. He dedicated his considerable energies to dismantling what was known as "Slave Power"—a term used by anti-slavery Americans to describe the perceived dominance of slave owners and their political allies over the federal government and national policy. This "Slave Power" was widely seen as dictating judicial appointments, controlling legislative agendas, and relentlessly pushing for the expansion of slavery into new territories, thereby threatening the nation's democratic ideals and exacerbating sectional tensions. Wilson believed that this powerful faction not only corrupted politics but also suppressed the rights of free laborers, making its destruction essential for the nation's future.

Architect of the Anti-Slavery Coalition and Founding Republican

Wilson's political journey reflected the shifting landscape of American politics in the mid-19th century. Initially aligned with the Whig Party, he became a principal founder of the Free Soil Party in 1848. This party emerged from the growing national debate over the extension of slavery into territories acquired from Mexico, advocating for "free soil, free speech, free labor, and free men." Wilson served as the party's diligent chairman before and during the pivotal 1852 presidential election, actively working to forge a broad anti-slavery coalition. This diverse alliance included:

• Free Soil Party members: Advocated against the expansion of slavery into new territories, often citing economic concerns for free labor in addition to moral objections.
• Anti-slavery Democrats: Democrats who broke with their party over the slavery issue, particularly regarding its expansion into the Western territories.
• New York Barnburners: A faction of the Democratic Party in New York, largely driven by anti-slavery sentiment and agrarian concerns, who often "burned down" existing political structures to rebuild them.
• Liberty Party: An early, more radical abolitionist party that aimed to abolish slavery nationwide through political means.
• Anti-slavery members of the Native American Party (Know Nothings): While primarily focused on nativist issues, a significant segment of this party's northern wing adopted an anti-slavery stance, particularly in opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
• Anti-slavery Whigs (Conscience Whigs): Whigs who prioritized the moral issue of opposing slavery over party loyalty, often clashing with their "Cotton Whig" counterparts who were more amenable to Southern economic interests.

This meticulously constructed coalition laid the groundwork for the modern Republican Party. When the Free Soil Party dissolved in the mid-1850s amid rising national tensions, Wilson became a co-founder of the Republican Party, which he helped shape largely along the lines of the anti-slavery alliance he had so assiduously cultivated in the preceding decades. The Republican Party, thus, became the national vehicle for the anti-slavery movement.

Key Contributions During the Civil War

During his tenure as a Senator from Massachusetts throughout the Civil War, Henry Wilson was recognized as a prominent "Radical Republican." This faction was known for its aggressive stance against slavery, its demands for a vigorous prosecution of the war, and its commitment to securing civil rights for African Americans and implementing transformative changes in the South during Reconstruction. Wilson's practical experience as a militia general, an effective organizer, and a commander of a Union Army regiment, combined with his leadership as chairman of influential Senate military committees (notably the Senate Committee on Military Affairs), uniquely positioned him to provide invaluable assistance to President Abraham Lincoln's administration. He played a critical role in the monumental task of organizing, equipping, and overseeing both the Union Army and the Union Navy during the nation's gravest crisis.

Demonstrating his legislative prowess and commitment to abolition, Wilson successfully authored and championed crucial bills in 1862. These landmark legislative achievements included:

• Outlawing slavery in Washington, D.C.: This act, while affecting a limited number of enslaved people, carried immense symbolic weight, demonstrating the federal government's capacity and will to abolish slavery within its direct jurisdiction, setting a moral precedent for the nation.
• Incorporating African Americans into the Union Civil War effort: Wilson was instrumental in passing legislation that allowed African Americans to enlist in the Union Army and Navy. This pivotal move paved the way for the formation of the United States Colored Troops (USCT), not only providing vital manpower to the Union but also fundamentally transforming the nature of the war, linking the Union cause directly to the struggle for freedom and equality.

Vice Presidency and Final Years

Following the Civil War, Henry Wilson remained a staunch advocate for the Radical Republican program for Reconstruction, which sought to rebuild the South on a foundation of racial equality and protect the rights of newly freed slaves through federal intervention and constitutional amendments. In 1872, his lifelong dedication to public service and the Republican cause was recognized when he was chosen as the running mate for incumbent President Ulysses S. Grant, who was seeking his second term. The Grant-Wilson ticket secured a decisive victory, and Wilson assumed the office of Vice President on March 4, 1873.

Tragically, his time in this high office was cut short and significantly impacted by ill health. Just two months into his vice presidency, in May 1873, Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke. His health continued to decline, severely limiting his effectiveness and active participation in government. On November 22, 1875, he suffered a fatal stroke while working within the hallowed halls of the United States Capitol, bringing an end to a remarkable and impactful career.

Legacy, Advocacy, and Controversy

Throughout his extensive career, Henry Wilson was consistently known for championing causes that were often unpopular or ahead of their time. Beyond his paramount work against slavery, he was a tireless advocate for workers' rights, demonstrating a progressive concern for the welfare of both Black and white laborers. He supported measures aimed at improving working conditions, regulating hours (such as advocating for the eight-hour day), and ensuring fair treatment, reflecting his deep-seated belief in the dignity of labor. Massachusetts politician George Frisbie Hoar, who served alongside Wilson in the House of Representatives and later in the Senate, lauded Wilson as arguably "the most skilled political organizer in the country." This recognition underscores Wilson's exceptional ability to build alliances, mobilize support, and effectively navigate the complex political landscape of his era.

However, like many figures of his period, Wilson's legacy is not without blemish. His reputation for personal integrity and principled politics, though largely well-deserved, was regrettably tarnished late in his Senate career by his tangential involvement in the notorious Crédit Mobilier scandal. This major corruption scandal, which erupted in 1872, involved the fraudulent Crédit Mobilier of America construction company, established by the Union Pacific Railroad, and its scheme to skim profits. To avoid investigation, Crédit Mobilier stock was discreetly distributed at discounted prices to influential congressmen and other federal officials. While Wilson maintained his innocence, claiming he bought the stock unaware of its illicit nature, and was ultimately censured but not expelled by the House (partly due to his already elevated position as Vice President-elect), the controversy undoubtedly cast a shadow over an otherwise illustrious career, serving as a stark reminder of the ethical challenges inherent in public service during a period of rapid industrial expansion and political upheaval.

Frequently Asked Questions About Henry Wilson

Who was Henry Wilson?

Henry Wilson, born Jeremiah Jones Colbath, was an American politician who served as the 18th Vice President of the United States (1873-1875) and a Senator from Massachusetts (1855-1873). He was a leading Republican and a staunch opponent of slavery, instrumental in forming the anti-slavery coalition that led to the Republican Party.

What was Henry Wilson's role in the anti-slavery movement?

Wilson was a central figure in the anti-slavery movement. He founded the Free Soil Party in 1848, built a broad anti-slavery coalition comprising various political factions, and later co-founded the Republican Party with an anti-slavery platform. As a senator, he successfully authored bills outlawing slavery in Washington D.C. and integrating African Americans into the Union Army during the Civil War.

How did Henry Wilson contribute to the Union effort during the Civil War?

As a "Radical Republican" senator and chairman of influential military committees, Wilson utilized his prior military experience to assist the Lincoln administration in organizing, equipping, and overseeing the Union Army and Navy. He was crucial in legislation allowing African Americans to serve in the Union forces, leading to the formation of the United States Colored Troops.

What was the "Slave Power" that Henry Wilson opposed?

The "Slave Power" was a political concept referring to the disproportionate influence and control that slave owners and their political allies were perceived to wield over the federal government, national policies, and the expansion of slavery. Wilson dedicated his career to its destruction, viewing it as a threat to American democracy and free labor.

What was the Crédit Mobilier scandal, and how was Henry Wilson involved?

The Crédit Mobilier scandal was a major corruption case from 1872 involving fraudulent profits from the Union Pacific Railroad's construction company, Crédit Mobilier. Stock was sold at discounted rates to influential politicians to prevent investigation. Wilson was accused of receiving discounted stock and, despite maintaining his innocence, his reputation was somewhat affected, though he was not found guilty of the most severe charges and continued his public service.