Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-02-24
A Christian Hero.

A TRUE American hero lately died,
over whom no elaborate eulogies will be
spoken, but whose name will long be
fOndly cherished as that of most faithful
friend by the most unfortunate class of
American citizens II is fifteen years since
we saw in Wilmington, Delaware, a hearty,
CHEEKY Quaker, whom everybody knew,
and who, in that Slave State, was famous
for aiding the escape of fugitive slaves
He was, indeed, the chief agent of the
underground railroad. He was a con-
spicious, uncompromising abolitionist--
that is to say, sincere American The
sentiment of his neighborhood was un-
American, medieval, and barbarous. There
were scarcely q dozen persons who cared
to have 1t known that they sympathized
with him. But Thomas Garrett was Of a
sturdy, stalwart frame--a man of invinci-
bic bravery, hearty, humorous, and fripk /;
and as you looked at him, and thought OF
the sullen hatred and inhumanity and ig-
norant prejudice around him, his brawny
shoulders and the indomitable heart that
smiled in his eyes seemed an impregnable
bulwark Of freedom. ih y
Thomas Garrett was an iron-monger,
and established one Of the largest houses
Of that kind ia Wilmington. But while
his industry and sagacity in business were
all well rewarded, his delight was to help
the helpless and succor the forlorn. He
was, of course, suspected, hated, watched :,
but he worked Ia secret only so far as was
necessary 70 elude the vigilance of the
slave catchers. The masters came to him,
and stormed and threatened; but, with
oaths and revolvers and bowie knives, they
never frightened him. While Mr.. Web
ster was calling uoon Massachusetts, to
conquer its prejudices, and consent to- kid
mapping; while the New York. merchants
hastened TO Castle Garden, and resolved
that the compromises of the constitution
must be respected, even If the selfrespect
of honorable men was annihilated while,
on the one hand, eloquent men were expos
ing the evils and infamies of slavery and
on the other there was a loud chorus that
| it was indeed horrible, but that nothing
could be done about it-Thomas Garrett
did something about it. The slave stole
from the lash and the block, trusting to
God, and seeking the north star and
Thomas Garrett; and before President
Lincoln, in the name of the loyal nation,
emancipated all the slaves, the Delaware
} Quakers had sent forward twenty-seven
hundred into freedom. 4ts
When he was nearly sixty years old he
was tried before Chief Justice fancy for
Labducting certain persons who had no
rights which white people were bound to
respect, and the damages awarded against
him swept away all his property But
| Thomas said to the crowd in the court
room that he should only work harder
than ever to save his fellow-creatures from
slavery; and he kept his word. He be-
gan business, also, anew, and was again
| prosperous, But his hand and heart never
relaxed their labor for the oppressed; and
when, q year ago, the colored people OF
| Wilmington celebrated the great release OF
their race, Thomas Garrett was borne in
an open carriage surrounded by his faith
| ful friends, who carried banners inscribed,
"Our Mosesp His years increased, but
his heart never grew old, and his interest
in all generous and humane movements
was unabated. Had he lived until next
| Augusts he would have lived eighty-two
| years but on the 11th of January of this
year he wrote, renewing his subscription
tor The WoRsdn's Journal L now must
own up that l am an old man-the ma
chinery has not rusted out but worn out.
-. L have been favored to keep cheerful,
but feel that my work here is nearly done. v
The old man was right. He died after a
few days, and, as he had promised when
they asked him year before, men of the
race he had so faithfully served bore him
to his grave.
Who are the Christian heroes? Are
they not those of whom it is written,
F" And the King shall answer and say unto
them, Verify say unto you, inaslnuch as
We have done it unto one of the least OF
these my brethren, ye have done it unto
| me ~ R1y.neria IYaakl,, rrE