The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-05

THE ELECTION OF GERRIr SMITH TO CONGRESS.
This celebrated abolitionist, free seller, tempe
rance advocate, and general philanthropist, has
been elected from the district composed Of Madison
and Oswego counties, by considerable plurality
over each of the whig and democratic candidates.
He received large vote, we understand, from 70.
ters not connected with the abolitoniss az party,
but who were DESTROYS to see him in the halls of
Congress- believing that, with his admitted talents
he would, perhaps, from intercourse with Southern
and Western statesmen, become less sectional in his
views and less mpractieable in his efforts to benefit
mankind.
We believe that this is the first time that Ir.
Smith has been elected by the people to legislative
station He was candidate for the State Senate
during the second administration Of De Witt Clinton
as Governor, in 1925, but was defeated by Charles
stebbins, Esq, Of Cazensvia, Madison county,
gentleman who was distinguished asa inancier and
a political friend of Martin Van Buren,.
Born to the possession of a large landed estate,
as the principal heir of the late Peter Smith Of Pc
terborough, Madison county, and possessing the
advantages of liberal education, and talents Of
high order, it believed that Gerrit Smith would
become prominent political leader, and high
expectations enter taioed of his advancement
by his friends But being attached to the old fede-
raj and Clintonian parties, he was destined to be
generally in the minority in the district Of his resi-
dence, we aware that he ever sought politi-
cal p,eierment. He was delegate to the State
convention oflS24, which nominated De Witt Clinton
for Governor Although political friend of Clinton
be doubted the policy of nominating him at that
time, as the gubernatorial candidate Of the Hpeo-
PIES party, so called. He made an able speech 10
the convention on the subject and was among those
who voted for Gen. James Tallmadge as the candi-
date for Governor. He however acquiesced in the
decision Of the convention in favor OF Clinton, and
next year was the unsuccessful Clintonian candidate
for State Senator, as We have before stated
In 1898, Mr.. Saith took an active part in support.
ing the reelection Of John Qaincy Adams for the
Presidency, and was chosen member OF the State
convention to sustain Mr.. Adams, which body
nominated Smith Thompson aud Francis Granger
as the Adams candidates for Governor and Lieu.
tenant Governor. The address issued by the
convention on that OCCASION was from the pan Of
Mr.. Smith, and attracted much attention at the
time for its forciblc and argumentatye style, and
the beauty of it's dietion.
The subsequent career Of Mr.. Smith, as an aboli-
ZIONIST and leader in various religious and reform
movements, is well known to most readers. His
silly and pisdrected efforts in the cause of abo.
litionism have. 10 many instances, very dessryedly
brought upon him much censure and animaiver.
sion, inasmuch as the ultra measures he has advo-
Gated and sustained must, if Successful have led to
the dissolution Of the Union. A trip to Washington
win do him good.
The State Of New York sends to the next Con-
gress, among her delegation, trio which will be
looked upon as greater curiosity in natural history
than the Happy Family" at BarDum's Museum,
namely Gerrit Smith, Mike Walsh, and Caleb
Lyon, Of Lyonsdale. The first viii represent the
ultra aboItionists, the land reformers and the
Maine liquor law Mike will represent the b'hoys,
the bone and sinew while the poet of Lyonsiale
will represent the muses., the canal men, and the
interests Of the returned Californians. Nike will
take care Of Gerrit