True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-12-09
Death Of James G. Birnev.

The New York Post Of Wednesday
afternoon informs us that James G. BIR.
NEY died at Eageswood near Perth Am
boy, ~ j., on Tuesday evening, and
gives the following interesting sketch Of
his life:
He was born in 1903, at Danville,
Kentucky, His father native Of Ireland,
was man whose enterprise had accu.
mulated wealth, which, employed with
generosity, conferred upon him popularity
and social position. His mother was a
beautiful and accomplished American
lady of the rame of Reed.
AT The age of nineteen, two years after
distinguished graduation at Nassau
Hall, New Jersey, Mr.. Birney became a
student in the Office of Mr.. Dallas at Phil
adelphia.
Returning 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 marriage with a lady of
great personal attractions and distinguish
ed family. Three years after he had be,
come planter in Alabama, and the own.
er of thirty-fve slaves. Subsequently
resuming the practice of his profession at
Huntsville, he gathered an extensive and
profitable business. Just before his return
to Kentucky he served with distinction
in the Legislature Of Alabama.
Mr.. Birney's career attracts peculiar
interest from the beginning of his connec-
ton with the anti.Slavery movement
Early in life the wrongs inflicted by the
whites on the Indians touched bis heart,
and called out his indignant eloquence of
both tongue and pen. Sympathy for one
class of human beings naturally led 10
sympathy for another; and accordingly
he was soon greatly interested in the wei.
fare Of the negro. The plan of emanci-
patton which at first seemed to him the
most feasible was that Of the coloniza.
tionisls, and to advocate their views he
abandoned lucrative and honosable pro-
lession.
In 1884 he caused deed of emanci-
patton for the six slaves he had brought
with him from Alabama, 10 be entered at
the office of the County Court for the
county where he resided, and announced
his intention of starting an antislavery
newspaper IN The State Of Kentucky
When no printer could be persuaded to
undertake the mechanical part of the en-
terprise there, he commenced the pub
lcatiou in Ohio, but rot without exciting
dangerous hostility. The recital of the
perils 10 which he and his friends were
exposed is almost incredible, and shows
the change of sentiment which has since
taken place 10 make Ohio one of The lreesl
in sentiment Of the Western States.
Just before the death of his father, Mr..
Birney caused such disposition 10 be
made of the paternal estate, that all the
slaves, twenly.one in number, should fall
10 him; and on the occurrence Of that
event, he set them at liberty, making
suitable provisions for their comfort
About this time his wife died, the mother
Of eleven children, Of whom, we believe,
five are stll living.
In ls4O, Mr.. Birney visited England,
and took prominent part in the anti
slavery movements which then agitatet
that country. In ls4l he married the
sister-in.law Of Hon. Gerrit Smith, a lady
of the family of Fitzhugh, who survives
10 cherish his memory.
In 1874, Mr.. Birney's eminent ability
high character. and the distinction con
feIred upon him by his anti-slavery course
conspired 10 indicate him as the mos
suitable candidate for the "Liberty Party
for President. Convinced that the cause
of freedom would gain nothing by th'
election of Mr.. Clay over Mr.. Polk, hi
resisted all overtures made by the whil
party to induce him to withdraw in (avo
of Mr., Clay; and chiefly to Mr.. Birney''
conscientious persistency, the friends o
that statesman are in the habit Of sscri
bihg his disastrous defeat.
Since then Mr.. BirDey's name has beel
rarely before the public. During the las
twelve years he has suffered from severa
} attacks of paralysis, against which in tn
opinion of his physicians, brain les
powerful than his could not have sustain
ed itself SO long. More recently hi
symptoms have been aggravated by hear
disease. and other ailments which followe,
iniis train. Afier a slow, though no
painless decay Of years, he expired peace
I fully on The 24lh Of November, almos
to The last monent IN the possession Q
his faculties. M L.. "A aala 1