The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-03-15
JOSEPH JOHN GURNEY.

from the friends of the slave in this country -
lie was born at Earlham, Norwich, Eng.
land In the year l7SS. and was in the seth year
OF his age at his death. Mr.. Gurney was meme
Der OF the Society of Friends He was schcl.
er OF no mean accomplishments, man possessing
an unusual share OF varied and practical know
ledge, OF great wealth, of dignhed manners and
commanding person, all of which were made to
minister to an active benevolence in every de-
partment OF Christian reform. His exertions in
the cause OF humanity took a wide range. The
reformation OF prison discipline-the modification
and illumination Of the criminal code-the diff
fusion OF general education-the distribution of
the Scriptures-the cause of universal peace-
me promotion OF temperance-the Improvement
OF the poor laws-the abolition of the slave trade
ana oil slavery,-al found in him steady &C.
tive, able and muni6ceDt friend He was the
early advocate of West India emancipation, and
shared in the counses and labofs of its first ma
irons, Clarkson, Wherefore, Buxton, Brougham,
Mcintosh, Macaulay, Stephen, Sufield, Surge.
and their associates AS early as 1924, he cans-
cd public meeting to be convened in the Coun.
ty OF Norfolk, where he resided over which the
High Sheriff presided and on which occasion he
denVered an able speech and in opposition TO
some OF the nobility of the shire, procured ne
luton to be adopted calling upon Parliament for
the Immediate mitigation, and with as little de-
lay as possible, the final and entire abolition nj
he attended and addressed general meeting of
the friends OF the cause in Freemason's Hall.
London, at which Wiberforce, Mcintosh Bfoup.
nam, buxton, Denman, and Lushington were
his associates. Although in the early part of his
career, he advocated the doctrine OF gradual
emancipation, as did all the other friends of tho.
cause, yet he was found among the first to adopt
the grand principle, that immediate and uncon.
dItlonal abolition is the right of the slave and the
uutV OF the master (which afta
rallylng cry of British Abolltionsts During the
excllng and eventtul years iron, 1880 to 1894.
Wnlch Immediately preceded and resulted In The
eboiluon OF slavery, and the substitution therefor
OF the apprenticeship Mr.. Quincy was ever fore.
most with tongue, pen and purse TO carry for
ward the work. When the friends OF the slave
saw that the 'ation OF the new system was
cruelty oppressive to the negroes, and was but
little better than sl,very under milder name,
our deceased friend buckled on his armor again,
and, joining the band led by Joseph Surge broke
ground against 1t AMI demanded its total demoli.
tion. And, after brief, but severe struggle, he
mad the qualification of seeing complete freedom
granted TO the West India bondmen, on the first
OF August, 1871. The warm heart and enouir.
ing mind OF Mr. Quincy piompted him to visit
the objects OF his Solictude in ther own sea glit
homes, and witness with his own ewes sttbe nor.
rors oil abolition" Accordingly, he spent the
winter OF 1889 in visiting the freedmen OF the
various West India Islands. Returning to Eu
rope, he took this country in his way, and spent
the Spring and Summer months OF 1910 in tray
cling through the United States, preaching 10.
congregations in the cities and al ge towns, and
holding private consul atons with influential
shareholders and abotionists 1t was during this
tour that he published his little volume OF Fa
niliar and Friendly letters to Henry Clay, OF
Kentucky" describing the beneficial results
winch had followed emsncipai in the West In
dies, and urging the adoption of the same course
IN regard TO American Slavsry. After his return
TO England, he travelled on tie Continent of Eu
rope, visiting France, Holland, Denmark and
Sweden, at various periods aud urging upon
The sovei eigns AID leading statesmen OF those
countries the wis on and duty OF abolishing their
colonial slavery. In one OF these visits, in 1912.
we belleve, he was accompanied by his distlng.
ulshed sister, Mrs. Fry and in addition TO the
ann slavery purposes OF their tour, they spent
much time In promoting the object which during
her remarkable lite, was 50 near her heart-ex.
pIoring the prisons OF the old world, and admin.
istering instruction and consolation TO the prison.
ers.
Mr.. Gnrney's last visit TO the continent. was.
we believe, in 1874. The results OF his lsbors
are seen IN the agitation OF the abolition cause in
nearly all the governments oil Europe which hold
Colonial slaves. But we have given a very i'm
perfect sketch OF the phianthroplc abors OF this
eAcellent man; 'or, though he was prominent
actor in the anti-slavery conflicts, his hand was
never Withdrawn from those other humane enIer-
prses which enlisted his youthful energies Ev.
cry good cause, and especially every reform
which tended to elevate and improve the depress.
ed classes OF his countrynen, found in him con
slant advocate Nor was he less distinguished
Tor his private and home charities, than for his
more public and imposing labors He fed the
hungry and coihed the naked at his own door :
His princely wealth he distributed with liberal
hand IN works OF charity and mercy. His catho.
lie spirit, and. though Friend in doctrine. garb
and speech, his freedom from secteri beotrv.
endeared him to Christians OF all denominations
II is doubted whether he had an enemy in hi, n.-
tive country. The remains OF this beautiful
specimen Of the fine Christian gentleman were
attended to their final resting place by the larg.
est concourse OF synpathizing and admring
friends which ever convened on any similar oc.
casion in the county Of Norfolk Emancipator.
MILITARY APPOINTMENTS The Washing.
ton correspondent OF the North American. re-.
laes the following incient to show how li,,le
qualification has been taken into account in con.
ferrng the highest grades oil military apnon,.
ments, and by what singular processes they have
been made