Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-07-04
"Reminiscences Of Gerritt smith.
A LETTER FROM EX-GOVERNOR FLETCHER.

LETTER FROM EX-GOVERNOR FLETCHER.
Editor Rutland Herald II have read
with intense interest the reports of the
Philadelphia Convention the character
of the 752 delegates the enthusiasm and
unaninity with which they acted the
very able speeches made; the sprink-
ling of the colored men; the excellent
platform adopted, make it one of the
most remarkable political conventions
ever held in our country.
One of the most thrilling scenes was
the warm demonstrations of regard and
esteem bestowed upon one of the Oldest
aud most prominent of the once des-
pissed Abolitionists, Hon. Gerritt Smith.
Some "reminiscences of that great and
good man, may not be wholly devoid OF
interest to the readers of THE HERALD.
first met Mr.. Smith in the Spring of
SO, in the City of Troy, where | was
spending a Sabbath on my way West.
The friend with whom / stopped was
one of the few Abolitionists in Troy ;
he pointed out Mr.. Smith in Mr..
Beman's church after service gave me
an introduction the zone idea men in
vited Mr.. Smith to give a lecture, but a
serious difficulty arose; the want of a
place to speak; the trustees of DR..
Beman's church objected to having an
iacendiaay speech in their sacred edifce.
Mr.. Smith was then in full fellowship
with that church and that denomination,
hut he had run off into that awful va
gary of advocating the inalienable right
to liberty. AT length small Methodist
chapel was proffered for the lecture; it
was regarded as perilous matter to
have any connection with such agita-
tors.
Theodore Weld attempted to lecture
there a short time previous, and was
treated TO a volley of eggs, of bad quail
ity. Notice was given as far as pru-
dence would allow, that Mr.. Smith
would lecture at the chapel on Monday
evening. Being one of the fanatics, /
remained over Monday, although my
business West was urgent.
Mr.. Smith gave graphic description
Of the inveterate prejudice against color
at the North it had closed the doors of
the institutions of learning against the
colored man it had put him into a
''nigger pen" in one corner of the church;
it had driven him from useful, honor
able employment, subjecting him to the
most mental and degrading service. But
said Mr.. Smith, this prejudice not only
persecutes through life, but it follows
him to the grave. He remarked that
one of the bylaws regulating a church
yard in Philadelphia was in these words
the body of no man executed for
crime-nor the body of any man col
ored man shall be inferred in this yard,
thus placing on an equality the wretch
who had imbued his hand in his brothers
blood, and the humble, ni0us christian
whose only offence was dark skin his
Maker had given him. Mr.. Smith said,
''the religion that dictated that bylaw
was of a very different type from that
which flourished in India, with the Son
of God as the teacher" The lecture
was an able one, delivered in an impress
sive manner. On Tuesday / had the
good fortune of seat beside him, and
the benefit of his conversation from
Troy to Utica. | again met him in 1916
at great anti-slavery convention, hello
in fremont Temple, Boston, where he
read an address to the people that he
had been requested to prepare. From
my first introduction, | have cherished
a profound regard for this truly great
and good man. rejoice that kline
heaven has prolonged his useful life, anG
can but deeply lament the departure OF
Giddings, Lovejoy and many other noble
spirits who ''desired to see the things
this old champion has seen, but dice
without the sight"
RYLAND FLETCHER