New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-06-16
a GENEROUS FOE,


Geritt Smith, the writer of Tat very able
letter to Chief Justice Chase WITCH we pNohsneu
yesterday, is man of note 4nd character nus
father, Peter S. Smith, WIS pioneer OF centfa'
New York and travelled on foot with peddler's
pack through furestS where Utica ana other popu'
Ions citias now sBdld aud over Indian trails which
the magic eFprogress has turned into llnes oil
busy rairsad. He was industrious and thrifty,
ana SON began trading and speeulatng on WIDER
scoe Foreseeing the future he bought at small
sriee vast quantities of wild lands Whlch nave
ever since grown in value. He became very
wealthy, a millionaire, at time too when the
owner of million dollars was deemed more of
prodigy than in these latter days OF petroleum
and army contracts. Gerrtt Smith inherited this
magnificent property together with much OF the
fathers talent and native vigor. He graduated at
Hamilton College with honor, studied law and was
about to commence practice, but soon found that
the care of his property would not suffer him to
attend to much other professional business than
that in which he was directly interested. From
time to time, however, he was employed in few
very important suits. His speeches and writings
show lack of that thorough discipline and
gladatorial vigor which long years of laborious
practice at the bar commonly give, but the lack is
in part compensated by the effects of diftuse
reading in the classics of all countries and of
much leisure devoted to philosophical studies. In
tastes and habits he was aristoeratic in the IN
popular sense Of the word. He was finely formed,
uncommonly handsome-with voice combining
depth and sweetness, stentorian, organ-toned-a
| thorough eloeutionist and an accomplished
speaker Yet, on account of his independence
and impraetoahility, he never exercised much in
! fuence over the Federal party of whose princi
pies he was a devoted adherent.' Judging from
his subsequent fanaticsm it is presumabe that he
| was altogether too sincere for o successful poll
tician.
From the very first outbreak Of epidemic aboli
tionisn, Gerritt Smith became one of its subjects
The idea seemed to take entire possession of him
and his name has ever since been inseparable from
the history of that strange party. When the
party was but faction, scarcely numbering a cor
porals guard in o whole county, Smith gave i
time, labor and large sums of money. He wa!
always liberal in the use of his wealth, which he
had no desire to increase; but he was especially
lavish in his donations for propagating abolition
tenets He was one Of the leading spirits of the
party, and only began to take secondary posi-
4 ton when it became political power with spolI
and Offices to bestow. The giant shook the tree
but partizan monkeys deyoured the fallen fruit
Once, however, in SO, Smith was sent to Congress
and served one session. At Washington, his &C
complished manners, entertaining conversation
and liberal hospitality attracted notice, by con
trast with the lower grade Of Black Republican
members. BE was much esteemed by somt
Southern members for mis- purity of character ant
his Accomplishments as scholar and an orator
and they doubtless believed that he would have
been great man, except for the puritanie infatn
alton of abolitionism. He soon resigned, some
what Disguised with his Northern confreres, mos
of whom were as far below his level in learning
and morals as they were his superiors in politca
trfckery
! Gerritt Smith was entirely philanthropic ii
disposition and might have accomplished grea
J works of real benevolence but for the manit
for negro emancipation which possessed him. HI
was also wholly sincere and honest. His letter tt
Judge Chase Illustrates both these traits. Eman
oipation accomplished has realized the dream 0
his time. Satisfied with the result Of the war
he pleads eoduently for fair dealing, charity ant
nagnanimity towards the conquered. Had al
abolitionists been like him, the matter would hay
been settled ithout bloodshed.