The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-03
JAMES g. BIRNEY.

The New York papers bring intelligence Of
the death of James G.. Birney, with whom we
were associated in the early period of the Anti
Slavery enterprise. He was a man of fine tai
ents, of clear integrity, high honor, generous
feelings, and real courage, animal as well as
moral. We had intended to prepare an obituary
notice, but the following from the New York
Ereniag Post presents the chief events of his
life:
James G. Birney died at Eagleswood, near
Perth Amboy, j., on Tuesday evening. He
was born in 1898, at Danville, Kentucky. His
father, 8 native of Ireland, was man whose
enterprise rad accumulated wealth, which, EN-.
df'taiitty ana social position. His mother was a
beautiful and accomplished American lady, of
the name of Reed.
=" At the age of nineteen, two years after a
distinguished graduation at Nassau Hall, New
Jersey, Mr.. Birney became student in the
office of Mr.. Dallas, at Philadelphia.
Ratnrning to his native State in 1914, he
commenced the practice of law, and at the age
OF twenty-five was chosen a member of the
Legislature. At this time he contracted q mar.
rage with lady of great personal attractions
and distinguished family Three years after.
he had become planter in Alabama, and the
owner of thirty five slaves. subsequently re-
Stunning the practice of his profession at Hunts
vile, he gathered an extensive and profitable
business. just before his return TO Kentucky
be served with distinction in the Legislature of
Alabama.
MI. Birney's career attracts peculiar interest,
from the beginning of his connection with the
Antl-Slayery movement. Early in life, the
wrongs inflicted by the whites on the Indians
touched his heart, and called out his indignant
eioq1ence, both of tongue and pen. Sympathy
for one suffering class Of human beings natu.
rally led to sympathy fer another; and accord.
lngiy ne was soon greatly interested in the well
fare OF the negro. The plan of emancipation
which at first seemed to him the most feasible,
was that Of the Colonizationists, and, to advo.
cate their views, he abandoned lucrative and
honorable profession.
In 1884, he caused deed of emancipation
for the six slaves he brought with him from
Alabama to be entered at the ofice of the comfy
court for the county where be resided, and an.
nounced his intention of starting an Anti-Sla-
very newspaper In the State of Kentucky. When
no printer could be persuaded to undertake the
Mechanical part OF the enterprise there, he
commenced the publication in Ohio, but not
without exciting dangerous hostility. The reel.
tai OF the perils to which he and his friends
were exposed is almost incredible, and shows
the change of sentiment which has since taken
place, to make Ohio one of the freest in sent.
ment of the Western States.
just before the death of his father. Mr.. Biz.
ney caused such disposition to be made of the
paternal estate that all the slaves, twenty one in
number should fall to him; and on the oc.
currence of that event he set them at liberty.
making suitable provision for their comfort.
About this time his wife died, the mother of
eleven children, Of whom, we believe, Eve are
In 1910, Mr.. Birney visited England and
took prominent part in the Anti Slavery move
nents which then agitated that country. In
l04l ne married the sister-in law of Hon. Ger.
rlt Smith, a lady of the family of Fitzhugh, who
survives to cherish his memory.
In 1874, he was nominated for the Presiden.
eey by the Liberty party and the vote polIed
ior hlm being chiefly subtracted from that of
Mr.. Clay, defeated that statesman.
few years since, he removed from Mich.
gan to New Jersey, in order that he might end
his days among the friends of the reform to
which he had devoted his prime, and that his
Joungest son might enjoy the advantage of Mr..
Yields school at Eagleswood."