Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-12-31
GERRITT SMITH.

Mr.. Gerritt Smith, known so well as a
philanthropist. and particularly distin-
guished for his efforts in the anti-slavery
cause. died in New York city Monday last.
Mr.. Smith was born in Utica, New York,
March 6, 1897, and was therefore at the
time of his death in the seventy-eight year
Of his age. He graduated at Hamilton
College in 1918. then studied law but
never entered into the practice of his pro-
fession, but early in life devoted himself
to benevolent and reformatory matters.
"He will be especially remembered. says
the New York Times. ''for his interest
and participation in the anti-slavcry move
ment. Freed. by the possession of large
estate. from anything like cngrossing care
Of business matters, Mr.. Smith began to
take an active share in political discus
sion just at the time when the first serious
contests with the slave power originated
Naturally Of an ardent disposition, with
an intellect of considerable strength, and
unusually direct and candid, he early es-
poused the anti-slavery cause. and entered
upon its advocacy with great boldness and
spirit. He was from the first an extreme
'Abalitionist-' His mind was incapable of
occupying any middle ground. or of quail
flying its conclusions. Slavery must be
either right or wrong. II it was wrong,
then it must be done away with. and that
promptly. He treated all questions in this
unhesitating manner. II was wrong to
get intoxicated, therefore it was wrong to
allow the sale OF intoxicating liquors. All
human beings were equal in rights: there
fore women should vote. War was muir
der, and murder was crime against God
and humanity therefore war was neces.
sarily wholly evil. These were his views
and his method of stating them, for many
years, though it should be said that he
modified his opposition TO war when it be-
came necessary as means of emancipa-
tion.
He believed heartily and logically in the
brotherhood Of the human race. As an
abstract proposition he accepted it with
great earnestness, and as practical truth
he felt it deeply and acted upon it with
peculiar warmth and fidelity If ever a
man regarded his wealth, his personal
gifts, his life even. as trust to be admin
istered for the benefit Of his fellows, it was
Mr.. Smith. His great wealth was con-
stantly bestowed to relieve suffering or to
aid in any movement that h believed
would improve the condition of any class.
Some of his qualities peculiarly fitted him
for public life. He was remarkably per-
suasive in his address; he had unusual
oratorieal powers. and especially great
dignity and sincerity of expression he
had modesty and self-control and fidelity
to purpose he was possessed of rare per.
sonal and intellectual courage, and his
mind, which had received a fair training
was active. eager. and receptive. Tha
LIE withheld himself almost entirely from
party politics. and occupied for so long 4
period a position of isolation, was due
largely to two things; his intense deyo
lion TO what he regarded as abstract prin
cipIes, and his Impotence with the imper
fectiops Of ordinary political methods. Te
him I half leaf was great deal worse
-. - hres1 Il believed Profound,
- he moral character of political ques