The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-01-05
DEATH OF GERRIr SMITH.

GerIlt Smith died at the residence OF
his son .in-law, Gen. John Cochrane, 10
New York,'o Monday afternoon. at 81
o'clock. Thus passes away one of the
ablcst and most respected men Of Amer.
lean cit;zcns-a man of sensitive and sym.
pathizing nature a philantropist of large
heart, whose benetactions were many and
whose bencvolonce was as broad as suffer.
ing humanity. Gerrit Smith was born at
Utica. N. Y, March I, 1897, and gradu.
ated at Hamilton College, 10 1878 His
father, Peter Smith, eft him one Of the
largest landed estates in the United
States, the management Of which has been
his principal occupation, In 1858 he
was admitted to the bar as an attorney,
and subsequently, took part in several i'm.
portant trials. He early joined in the
benevolent enterprises Of the day and
IN 1875, connected himself win the
American colonization society, to which
he gave largely for the accomplishment
Of its purposes. but 10 1885 withdrew
rom it ard joined the American anti.
slavery society. He practically llustrat.
cd his opposition to land monopoly by
distributing 1000 acres, partly among
institutions Of learning, but mostly among
poor white men and black men. in par.
cells Of about City acres, His largest
gifts of money have been in aid Of eman.
cination, OF literary institutions, and to
bny homes FOR the poor In 1852 he
was member of Congress He was long
q prominent advocate by pen and tongue
Of larger liberty Of opinion and the free,
doD from what he believed 10 be the
bondage Of the sect. In 1861 he made
some speeches in behalf of a vigorous and
incorporating prosecution of the exist.
ing war, and also wrote many articles to
his end for the press. Thus has passed
away, within but few days Of each 9th
er, two of our country's most foremost
philanthropists and benefactors, Ezra
Cornell and Gerrit Smith. Long will
their memories linger in she remembrance
Of the American people.
10 bis youth. Gerrit Smith was q rigid
Calvinist. Alterward he held the per.
iectionisl doctrines Of Charles G. Finn0y
and it is said that in his later years his
belief had mellowed into accord with that
of Charming. But for a greater part Of
his life, he held no religion save that Of
humanity His faith in that was firm
and his own village Of Petefboro was 81
experiment in moral sociology. which
however, failed to attain Il gratifying sue
cess.
The famous John Brown tract was not
as many suppose, named for the famous
John Brown Of Harper's Ferry, with
whom Gerrit Smiths name was so intnl.
ately associated, but f'r an earlier and
much less conspicuous person ; though thu
body Of the old martyr lies Wondering il
the ground on the borders of this tract
But Mr. Smiths gift Of land il that trac
to negroes made him first acquainted witt
the John Brown Of our epoch, With th,
wild scheme in his head Of trying to rev
olutiouize the government Of Virginia ant
abolish slavery in that State, Brown Wis
tied Gerrit Smith, who endeavored t
dissuade him from his plan, both on tn
ground Of its utter impracticability. ant
because he was opposed to the sheddin,
of human blood. There was, however,
sort of enthusiasm Tor humanity II
Browns mode Of putting the case, coup
led with q courage which knew no,hin
of fear, that were well adapted to capt.
vate the heart OF the great phiIanthropis
though they wholly failed to convince hi
judgment. Mr.. Smith gave him it'll
money, but told Brown that it must b
solely used to assist slaves in escapin
non bondage through the ordinary an
well.worn channels. The sad fate {
Brown seriously depressed Mr.. Smitl
mud in fact partially beclouded his mine
The subkep condition of his health mad
a resort to the Utica Asylum for o shol
period an absolute necessity.
Two notable instances OF Mr. Smith
generosity are mentioned 10 connectio
{ with his legal career, the Grst Of which
: il said led bin to 1pply, SO late 10 life, f
/ simifsio to the bar. A poor German
the county Of Madison was indicted f
murder. He knew nobody 10 the count,
lad not penny 10 his pocket, and th
case seemed to look strong against bin
Hearing Of the affair Mr. Smith apple
E for admission to the bar of the Suprem
Q Court, solely that he might defend tn
: friendless German. He was admitte,
: and be tried the ease with marked abili;
and the German was acquitted 10 spite