New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-04-13
The Face Of an Old Friend.

Hon. GRRRIr SMITH, accompanied by Mrs.
SMITH and his daughter, Mrs. MILLER, has just
been in Washington. The venerable philan-
still hale and strong. Few men show less of
weakness and infrmity under the weight Of
seventy four years. 1t was joy to End him ia
such evident health. His n,atchless voice, so
deep, rieh and melodous in other days, is still
full and marvelously impressive in converse
ton, reminding us of the times when it moved
the multitude to tears of pity for the oppressed,
or stirred them to Indignation against the op.
pressors and hypocrites who, in the name of
Cop, forged letters for human limbs. GGRRIr
SIXTH was prophet as we'll as preacher in those
days. He saw twenty years ago the vision of
blood through which we have been passing
these ten years, and predicted what has hap
pened. His predictions were founded in
comprehension of the law of the universe,
which ordains that whatever man soweth that
shall he reap. The American people had
sunken too deeply in crime, and had been
stepped too long in blood, to escape bloody
chastisement. While looking into his calm,
full eye, and his face still beaming with benevo-
lence, no man can fail to be impressed with the
excellence and beauty of q life devoted to the
service Of humanity and justice. There is,
perhaps, now living in the United States no
man, with equal wealth. whose ear has been 80
uniformly open to the cries of the poor, and
whose hand has been so ready to succor and
relieve. As usual on coming to Washington,
l. 60
sought US out, and felt it no degradation to be
seen in the printing Office of negro. In his
eye man a man for a. that" whether he be
Indian or African. In his freedom from Ame.
rican prejudice against color, Mr.. SMITH is a
marvel. We were happy to find him. while
opposed to the annexation Of Santo Domingo,
thinking and speaking in a friendly spirit to.
ward General GRANT. The benevolent policy
Of the latter toward the Indian has made
most favorable Impression upon Mr.. SMITH as
it has upon many other good men all over the
country.
Knowing Mr.. SMITH as we do. We were some
what surprised to End him opposed to the an.
nexation of Santo Domingo. In other days he
was known as the defender of the right of any
nation TO join its fortunes TO another with mu.
tual consent, whether other nations were
pleased or displeased at such alliance. To-day,
would not take Santo Domingo Mr.. SIXTH
did not, and could not in the hurried converse.
ton, fully elaborate his views on this subject
but we think he, like Mr.. SUMNER, is for a pro-
tectorate over Santo Domingo, and, indeed, over
Hayti too. There is something in that word
protection that has charm for Mr.. SMITH 1t
is, like him, to be protecting the weak against
the strong, and the poor against the rich but
in the case before US, with ell respect, We differ
from him. 1t is good thing to feed the hum
cry, but it has always seemed to us a better
thing to put the hungry in the way of feeding
themselves. While it might be good thing in
certain conditions to protect Santo Domingo,
it will be far better thing to bring her into
the American Union, first, as Territory, aud
secondly, az State, when and where she shall
have the means of protecting herself Besides,
protection implies state of dependence and
helplessness unfavorable to the development of
great qualities. In the idea of being citizen
of the United States, or a State of the United
States. there is nothing humliatiDg, nothing
repressive of energy aspiration, or sense of
responsibility. Instead of being the whole of
. very small part each State feels itself a part
of great whole, and that thought is of itself
invigorating aud elevating. But we merely
meant here to pay grateful tribute to our
venerated friend GERRIr SMITH, whose life and
health are precious in the sight of all our
readers. Having done this. we refer our read
ers TO our other columns for our views Of On.
nexation.