General Butler once wrote him a letter pouring out on his head the invective of which he was so conspicuous a master.

Wilson brought the letter into the office of a dear friend of mine in Boston when I happened to be there, handed it to us to read, and observed: "That is a cussed mean letter." I do not think he ever spoke of it or scarcely thought of it again.
But his chief gift and faculty is one which I can hardly think of words to describe fitly.

The few of his old friends who are left will understand what I mean.

But I can hardly make those who did not know him, or live in his time, comprehend it.

That was his rare and unequalled gift of gathering and uttering the sentiment of the people.