The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-11-24
From The clerelnua H.rald.
Gerrit Smith.

SSerf1G SMITH
We publish the following letter from Mr.. Ger |
rift Smith. in which he gives the public his plat
form. Mr.. S. is boii open hearted, honest, |
able man; and if we mistake not. as a Represea-
titvs in Congress is destined to exert an extended
nflueree; perhaps politically, but in behalf of
Temperance and all the social and domestic vir
tues, his influence will be felt aud acknowledged
in Washington. And strong, able and elo-
quent debater-as man of elevated purpose, and
good ntentiou-as ready to give good
reasons for his faith, all opponents will End in him
:. foe worthy of their STEEL" Mr.. Smith is one
of the nobIest looking men we have ever seen
truly Websterian. His vo1ce is deep-toned, and
maow the music of the flute-whle his ease
and dignity of manner, and his thousand virtues,
will make him forsmost man 10 the Halls of Con-
gress.
To he uoters of the counties Of Osocgo and .Nadi
|
| You nominated me for seat in Congress, not
withstanding l besought you not to do so. In vain
was my resistance to your preserving and unre-
lenting purpose.
had reached Old age. I had never held Office.
Nothing more foreign to my expectations,
and nothing more foreign to my wishes, than
the holding of office. My multiplied and ex,en-
sive affairs gave ME full employment. My habits,
ali Termed in private life, all strank from public
life. My plans of usefulness and happiness could
be carried out only in the seclusion in which my
yenrs had been spent
My nomination as I supposed it would, has re-
suited in my eectiou-and that too, by very
EIarge majority. And now, l wish that could
ed to me. But | must not-cannot To resign
it would be most ungrateful and offensive requit
al of the rare generosity, which broke through
your strong attachments 10 The party, and bestow
ed your votes on one, the peculiarities of whose
political creed leave him without party. Very
rare indeed, is the generosity, which was not to
be repel!ed by political creed, among :he pecu-
llarilies of which arc
Ist. That it acknowledges DO law and knows no
iaw for slavery not in the Federal Constitution
but that, by possibility. could it be brought in
to Federal or State Constitution.
2l. That the right to the soil is natural, abso-
lutte, and equal the right 10 the light and the
3d. That political rights are not conveutional,bu
natural-In adhering in all persons the black rs
we'll as the white, the female as well as the male.
4th. Tint the doctrine of Free Trade is the nee
essary outgrowth IF the doctrine of the human
brotherhood; and that no imposed restrictions on
commerce is to bu I'D up unnatural and sinful bar
riers across that brotherhood.
3 9Th. That the national wars are brutal, barba-
] rous, and unnecessary, as are the violence and
boodsbed to which misguided and frenzied indyid-
uals are prompted; and that our country should by
her own heaven-trusting and beautfu example,
: hasten the day when The nations Of the earth
shall beat their swords into plow shares and theil
3 spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift ur
sword against nation, neither shall they learn wal
any more"
OH. That the province Of Government is bui
f to protect-persons and property; and that the
building of railroads and canals, and the care o.
schools and churches. fall entirely of its limits
h and exclusively in the range of 1.-THE voluntary
principle Narrow. however, as these linn
its. every duty with them is to be promptly faith
- fully performed; as well, for instance the duty
on the part ofthe Federal Government to put al
end to the dramshnp manufacture Of paupers an.
madmen in the City of Washington, the duty
On the part of the State Government to put an en-,
). to it in the State.
! 9TH. Tint, as far as practicable. every officer
n from the highest TO the lowest, including especial
: ly the President and Postmaster, should be elect
ed by the people.
IS need not extend any further the enumeration
/ OF the features Of my political creed and nee
IF not enlarge upon the reason which l gave why
,. must not, and cannot resign the office which yo,
% have conferred upon me. 1 will only add, that
accept it; that my whole heart is moved to graft
fuda nv baaf Of GoJ1 1,al,,
- ing me, will discharge its duties as neither t.
n dshonor myselfnor you.
GERRITT SMITH.
Peterboro, Nov. s. 1852.