Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-08-06

DE swlttucHs with WHICH ne dealt his
blows. With something OF the same
quality, Mr. Giddings was able to deter
mine the weak points of his adversaries,
to determine the opportune moment TO
strike.
He continued to act with the Whig
party till lS4S, when he took a leading
part in organizing the Free Soil move
ment at the Buffalo convention. lie
then boldly denounced both the Wing
land Democratic parties as hostile to
liberty, and taking the field against the
then combined opposition, carried his
district for the Free Soil party.
In 1856 he helped to organize the Re.
publican party, and 10 his library here in
Jefferson wrote the resolution which
formed the leading doctrne promulgated
by that party at the Philadelphia Con
vention. la 1859 be closed his service
OF twenty years in Congress, and, shortly
after the accession of Mr., Lincoln to the
! Presidency, he was appointed United
State Consul General of Canada, and
s:icd at his post Of duty in May, 1854.
l cannot fnrhear quoting passage
from letter which have lately received
from one of his old nelghbors, citizen
of tLiS place, who was his devoted friend
for many years, and who in clear aud
ielictous language thus expresses his
appreciation of Mr.. Gidding's character.
'tlis perception Of the interior charac
ter of events, seeing how they tended,
and how they must result, was superior
to the great mass of politicians, and he
had the sagacity to see that it was wis
dom TO trust this power of seeing his
way before him. This, with an earnest
regard for the right, made him what he
wae aud he was almost wholly given
mp to his chosen labors in the political
world, even at home In private lite his
pursuits were the same as in public, and
he thought and talked Of the same things
at home and abroad. IT this ceased to
be his subject, it gave place to personal
anecdotes Of men Of his day and his
field, Or to the bandinage OF n strong
mind ut playful rest. lie was compara-
lively a stranger TO general literature,
and his Theological thinking led him to
liberal views an the subject of religion,
On the subject to which his public life
was devoted, he knew the exact position
that belonged to him, and he fought the
battle with the most effective weapons,
in the choice OF which he seemed never
10 have been mistaken, nor to have i'll
timed blow at the enemy he had vel
untecrcd to tight. Politically he was
sound and strong and he appeared to
know-what so many never lcaru that
il was not necessary tor him to sacrifice
any principle tor success, and he ha,i the
patience To wait Jr success till he found
, II in victory, During a period Of almost
forty years his life found no small part ot
the history Ofour country, where his name
is as familiar to the world as here at
home, among his ncighbors. His man
ners were very simple, and his relations
to his neighh0ls extremely Democratic.
town and county knew everybody, aud
, met them on terms Of easy familiarity
This town is indebted to him in a great
degree for the Democratic manners that
/ have always characterized il. During
, the rect sses of Congress, when at home
5 he WAS usually among the people, and in
summer his tavorte amusement was q
game of base bali on the old fashioned
plan, Of which the season opened on his
, return home, and not before"
These glimpscs Of his home life will
am sure, aid in calling him UP to YOU
minds as you know him.
t And now, in conclusion, | call yonr at
Q tention to the prominent place he must
| always occupy in the history of the grea,
' events which have marked the passag,
; OF the Republic from slavery to freedom
5 The story Of his life is large par
7 of the history ot his country. Many o
: his speeches now read like prophecy
, AT the time Of their delivery, they were
regarded by the majority Of his cotem
, porares as the dreams of fanatic. lie
led the sentiments OF his constituents by
J., becoming their instructor, aud if at any
. time they did not agree with his doe
Q trines they still respected the sincerity
y OF his convictions, aud admired the cour
q age with which he proclaimed them. lii
q life is perpetual rebuke to those politi
J. cians who drive before the wind of popu
: lar opinion, and hopeful and inspirn.
I example To those who follow their con
= victions of trust in the hope of final sue
cess aud the approval OF mankind
! Thousands OF his comrades in the grca
e struggle will delight to visit this monl
u IncHt Hhu uTlW Information rom ln
$ lessons of his life On hearing tha
# these ceremonies were 10 take place, tn
IS venerable Gerrllt Smith wrote to mem
- Der of the Glddings family letter, from
is which ! am permitted to quote the FOL
u lowing:
l. 81 never had truer friend than wa
It your honorcd aud beloved father. Ii
& WAS emphatlcally great and good mar
AID his country should never forget til
% ser,i ices be rendered her. wish coul
Y see his monument. Perhaps may ye
q feel able To travel to it aud enjoy tn
+ privilege Of being inspired by il
q presence"
81 Charles Sumner also writes:
'e 81 never think OF your father withou
" sense of gratitude for his whole hf;
" Sach an example is much for Ohio, niue
!" tor the whole country. lie was one {
u our great men. regret that cam,
" be present At the proposed celebration
49, Fellow citizens of Ashiabula count
IT. the grave and the monument of Gl,
" dings are left with you. His life ai
sc fame belong to his country and to II
~ mankind.
a.