Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-02-29
GERITT SMITH.
From the La Crosse Republican-Leader.l

Soiiic newspaper "''tSi mas 'VNeHt-
ly called attention to this celebrated
champion Of freedom in six.hne
item that reads as follows:
Gerritt Smith is 75 years old,
His form is stit! erect, though his
once black locks are silvered over,
His memory is so perfect that he can
repeat most of the Psalms by heart.
His wife still lives, and his domestic
life is most happy one"
A purer hearted philanthropist, pa
triot and citizen never lived under
the flag of this country, than that
same Gerrit Smith. His benefactions
have been dispensed with a liberal
hand to the needy. His head, heart,
hard, purse and life were dedicated
to the cause Of liberty. Very few
men possessed larger endowment Of
talents that enter into personal intiu
cnce, than this wealthy and accom-
plished gentleman. lie inherited an
ample fortune, of over a million of
dollars, which he managed prudently,
iudiciously and successfully; and, at
the same time, poured literally from
his increase into every available chan.
mel that was employed for the al.
vancement ofhumane, Just and emo.
bling principles among men, besides
contributing largely to the material
prosperity OF the poor and oppressed.
1t was my privilege to listen to that
distinguished orator, when he was in
the prime and strength of his man
hood and can never forget the rich
ness Of his voice, the majesty of his
style, the purity Of his language, and
the force OF his oratory.
With the single exception of Mr.
Clay, no public man in this country
was ever favored by = voice Of great,
er richness, than that OF Gerrit Smith !;
which possessed remarkable ilcXibil-
i,y, range and depth. The moral
soundness of his heart, and the g asp,
order aud subtety Of his intellect, en-.
ab,ed him to entertain and captiyate
large audiences, although composed,
as they often were Of elements that
were averse to his advanced views
upon the subject Of slavery. The
purity of his private life impaired ad.
ditiona luster to character that was
admirable for its greatness and sym.
mctry.
One peculiarly Of Mr.. Smiths ora.
tory was his slowncss of uttcrance,
without anything like hesitation. No
other orator in our day has spoken
with such delibelatiou Of manner,
while keeping up an unbroken inter
est i'll every word he uttered. ordn-
ary speakers range from one hundred
and twenty TO one hundred and sixty
words per minute. Daniel Webster,
in delivering his mastery orations
aud massive speeches, usually uttered
ninety words per minute. II any one
will count or ninety words, and read
aloud SO as TO occupy one minute III
reading them, he will appreciate the
stately manner of his uttcrance.
Gerritt Smiths average delivery Of
words was only at the rate Of sixty
words per minute, but they came IN
the tones Of the richest organ, and as
perfect as coin from the Government
mint. He was in Congress from 1853
to 1865 and while in Washington,
he fascinated aud charmed all who
were brought under the influence Of
bis personal magnetism and courteous
manners. HIS dinner parties and 50
cial entertainments, which were on a
liberal scale, attracted large Numbers
of the better class of southern gentle
men in Congress, who were astonish |
ed to find that the man Hhom they |
had long regarded az an inHammabIc |
fanatic was high toned gentlemen.
lie commanded the respect Of all
men, by the purity Of hs character,
by the honesty Of his principles, by
the ability and dignity Of his warfare
upon slavery, and by the nncompron-
Using humanity ard justice of his soul
toward all mankind With the abo.
lition of slavery, his warfare ceased |
and his generous heart turned to the |
work of aiding the freedmen to make /
right use Of their newly acquired |
rights as citizens. 1t is pleasant to
think of venerable veteran in the !
cause Of humanity, with " his form
erect; his once black locks now sil. |
vered over; his memory perfect
and bis mind laden with the prccepts |
and promises Of Gods precious word,
and he gently bnt peacefully descend
ing, with his lifelong companion, in
to the golden cvenieg Of life, that
has produced a harvest Of happiness
for the glorious ending Of bis noble |
career on earth, and for the higher
development Of the immortal faculties
Of race that was lifted from degrade. !
ton and misery through the potent
instrumentality Of Influences that were
greatly strengthened, organized, and |
accelerated BY the force Of his intel |
lect AMI by the fergor Of his philan-
.L & =