[Boston—Saturday, 18 January 1868]
January 18th Reading the Life of Col. Wilder Dwight. A most inspiring and pathetic history written by his mother. A story of our times which should be read through all time so long as no need to study bright examples and that is as long as men endure. Mr R.H. Dana said of him that he had “a talent for success” but Francis Parker said “the nature of the success which he sought was more remarkable than his faculty of attaining it.”
“It is the elevation of purpose wh. separates Wilder Dwight from common men, and gives him his true title to immortality.”
Judge Gray said of him, “He has no mean spirit of rivalry. He ran not to pass others in the race, but to reach the goal; and he would have run the same race if no others had run with him.”
