The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-12
GERRIT SMITH MEMORIAL.

TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF aERRIT SMITH BIZ
THE CoLoRED CITIZENS AND OLD ABOLITION
ISIS OF NEW YORK.
There was a peculiar fitness In the meeting
held at the Shiloh Presbyterian church. on Sixth
avenue, last evening, when the coloTed citizens
and old abolitionists OF New York met 20 pay a
tribute Of respect to the memory OF Gerrit Smith.
who for so many years, amid evil and good re-
port, was the energetic and munihcent
champion OF the downtrodden and oppressed OF
that race TO which the formed belonged and who
did SO much to give responsibility to the cbarcter
OF the latter when the very name was byword
ana teproach. Above the rostrum against the
wall the nag OF the Union was gracefully draped.
surrounding portrait OF him whom they had as
sembled to honor. No other decorations were
observable, save the usual pictures representing
Scriptural scenes which were hung about the
walls. Soon after eight O'Clock the meeting was
called to order by DR.. Henry H. Garnet, and the
following officers were appointed President,
Brother John Peters n; Vice Presidents. I. s. W.
Titus, Brother John Cary, Samuel Johnson and
others. several secretaries were also appointed.
Religious exercises followed. lei by the President
Dr.. Garnet then read the memorial prelacing 1t
by remarks relative TO the object Tor which
rney had met. 1t is addressed TO MIS- Smith and
Is as lOll0ws:-
THE MEMORIAL.
DEAR MApAMr-We meekly how TO the dispensaton Of
iyne providenee by which your beloved husband and
smith, has been removed from the earth. When we
by lbs ceath with the most d ting language waich
we can command, our words are almost useess and un
character OF our cpaf,ed friend have attracted the
na pos his w S but aas ao vokea
he Of Al and pS0 Sas
been known or his name pronounced.
wien wien s e s h ea 9f bn rS
needy and suffering Mr. NTH was 2 man Of refined
q he a d ,n and MS iaas he
was ripe scholar aud man Oh letters OF the
ses h n tore hme sway ON the wSS
threw himself into The ranxs Of tie army OF freedom
That BY the folders he
war h9. agaed the fonny ST tory
prncely mupiicenes in his Ienelac,ions to in
and made co people reeholdefs Deporing the evils
kinos his house aud became the che
consution and the ianaa%entaI laws OF the
slavery nted Our was
is%: G. 3.
States to be nothing less than men AMI brethren he
wo r aDs t. Ws
the Ia rs Of s % is ehn aP bs
waters Of Lase champIan where the ashes Of the Old
hero now rest IN psacs; hen famine sinoie
his with the fruits OF fields and
them q tok IN OF good Will and traternai affection
those were perishing with hunger In his own viii
lags peerboro ana the Whole town OF smithfeld he
and his excellent we, who seconded every generous
Thought conceived in his noble heart allowed no
want ralment, iuel shelter II they would
but make known their wants TO him. the description
winch the patriarch job Of himself is literally
true OF Gcrrit smith
~ hen the ear heard me il blessed me- because de-
that had none to help hi@ The blessing Of him that
was ready 10 perish came upon me, and caused the
WIDOWS heart To sing Tor Joy Eyes to the blind
ard ieet wasI to the lame was father TO the poor
the avs OF the wicked and PLUGGED the spoil out OF his
lee ,h.n
From his youth he was the friend of the oppressed and
spirit In his early attempts to strange the serpent OF
human slavery
Tine remembrance OF his speculative excellent qualities
OF mnI and heart together with his princely aud COM
manding personal presence, his deeponed and sweet
voice, his elegant dlcton and his persuasive
unsurpassed eloauence and irresistible logical
AMI baliowed hight which he shed in his family
and his quiet and peaceful death and the pro Ound
spect paid TO his memory by all classes OF Inc people
these afford oil The relief there Is Tor us in our great
and irreparable loss With becoming spirit we
but uttr he lament Of the universal Christian Church
"ihe Lori gave and the Lord hath taken away Blessed
be the name OF the LorI.n
1his meeting, composed many colored citizens and
old aboliionists OF the city OF hew York. would most
respectfully convey TO Mrs Smith her bereaved
inuily relatives heartfelt and sincere sympathy
assurance that We mourn with them and ningie
tears with theirs The meeting orders this memorial to
be signed by is officers and transmitted to Ms smith
and family.
Garnet paid eloquent tIibute to the noble
qualities OF the deceased. He was followed by
George w. Ross an old abolilOnst, and BY John
COcErane, alter which The meeting adjourned.