The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-30
The Life Of Gerrit Smith by
Mr.. buckingham.
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The Rev. o. B. Frothin CHAM has just written
lilo OF Gcrrit Smith, which G. +. Putnams Sons have
published. Mr.. rockingham writes with the pen of
u warm admirer, and gives those who have only had
vague idea OF Gerri, Smith abolitonst and a
y1anthropst a capital insight into his private and
public character Gerrit Smith OF Dutch
restors. Peter Smith married Elizabeth Livingston,
and they had children, of whom Gerrit was the
third 1t would be gratuitous task TO give sketch
OF this well known man here. We Will, therefore,
ronlne ourselves a few characteristic anecdotes. To
rhow the confidence that man OF business and one
not given sentiment allty had in MT Smiths word,
give an incident related by Mr. Frothinghan lie
wanted S25O0o0 aud he wrote to John Jacob Astor TO
borrow the money Aston invited him TO dine and
iaik the matter over. AS tho Two sat at meat the
host was full of "reminiscences OF former years when
he went in search OF skins with his guests father,
now little more than three months deceased. There
was no talk of business until the cloth removed
and the two were by themselves Then the visitor
opened tale OF distress which was short. but heavy
Il was a season OF panic. The banks had suspended
specie payments and could afford only feeble and pre-
rarlous relief. Business was at standstiii real
estate had fallen to nominal value; land was upro-
ductivc The legal adviser and brohern-lnw OF Peter
Smith, his son Is counsellor too urged assignment
OF property Tor Tho benefit OF the creditors .'How
much do you need ~ asked the millionaire Tho
visitor named the ''Do YOU want tho
whole of il at once Pr II don Astor looked grave
moment then said, "You shall have it, mortgage
was pledged the Oswcgo purchase, made ten years
BEFORE the relieved guest Pclerboro.
Astor's check for $3.50 900 came in a lew days. The
mortgage was executed and duly recorded and Smith
went with hts affairs Here comes the most
narkable part OF the transaction. The county clerk
neglected to transmit the papers to Mr. Astor. Weeks
elapsed and Smiths part OF the bargain was uniul-
filled. A letter from New York sent Mr.. Smith to
Oswego The clerks stupidity was rcprimandcd, and
papers, with satisfactory expanat ions, sent
10 their proper destination. Mr.. Astor had parted
with $3.50 600 the bare word Of Gerrt Smith, and
mad been content with the bare word, for weeks
Mr. Rockingham TO think that Mr. Smith
Uas very religious man; but there are great many
who will question that gcntlcmaus judgment in the
matter, particularly no takes such pains spell.
Bblc with small every time he has occasion to
mention that book. On this subject he says
The sincerity oil the pie;y 1t was that made him
break with pious organizations. There is radical
Ism ike that OF the spirit that is fully alive TO real
things. Gerrt Smiths devoutness was rooted In his
natural heart and could not be transplantcd lie took
religion seriously, held himself and others to their
Tows In 1929 Tor the Sabbath impellcd
him draw up petition TO the Congress OF the United
States praying that The laws rcguatins the Post Oco
Department might be SO amended as not TO require
the transmission OF The mail and The opening OF Tho
Offices on the LORD Day.
That Gerrit smith was good man nobody will
deny for he carried his religion the verge OF
ricty.
.Mr. Smiths habit OF preaching politics Sun
day. says his piographcr, ILLUSTRATED the COM lete
ness Of his emancipation from traditional views;
the politics he preached 1--we, radical politics,
secular practical, going down to the roots aud
ing all the applications OF principle. and he preached
them plainly, without apology, qualification or re
serve In ms opinion .the better the day tho better
the deed lie wished TO make politics religious aud
religion political Bible politics dear to his
heart as Bible temperance and Bible abolition ana all
alike occasloned scandal. The question: Was Gcrrit
Smith wrong in preaching politics the Sab
bathg' was publicly discussed in Syracuse and
other places Tho religious papers took 1t up,
and in the tone Of condemnatlon invariably.
s'Hc literally followed out the BiDo's instructions
his humanity "Tne doctrine that | am 10 look on
every other man as my brothcr-ay, as another self
Is which bias peril and suffer and inaict
as much for his sake as would have HIM peril and
suffer and inGict for it, 1t may not be his duty lose
life take lie IN order 10 exempt himself from
slavery But II lie s authorized 70 to these oxtrcm
tess it is absurd 10 say that sin If l carry
my help OF him 10 the like cxtrcmIes. >
The station at Pctcr5oro usually iuL In
times OF unusual excitement like those immediately
mou thing TO see negroes in the asking the way
10 Sir. Smiths house. Tho busy man left his affairs
and bestowed immediate his guests, fed them,
clothed thcm gave them money for necessary ex-
pcnses, sent them In his own wagon TO Oswego and
law them in safety their way northward nc was
Immensely cheated OF course but he took the cheat
Ing patiently, saying he would rather be swlndlcd
twenty times than miss single chance OF delivering
n fellow man IRON slavery"
An interesting portion this volume is that rciat-
ing 10 the signing OF tho jon DAVIS oail bond con-
junction with Mr. Greeley AS this is point Of
historical importance tho following papers VIII be Of
INTEREST,"
fPrvatcl ORFrcE or THE TRIBUNE, !
NEW York, Aug. "a, 1866
To the Hon. GERRIr SMITH
DEAR SIR enclose a memorial oil which Mr. Gree
les IS author, and which send TO YOU at has re-
quest, hoping that 10 will receive your signature also
II explains itself 1t proposed with no mere polit
purpose, but IN tue Cause OF humanity aud JUS
tce and therefore designed that 1t snail DO sub
scrbcd BY those only who have been persistent friends
OF the black and VINO urged his emancipation.
trust and IN this hope Mr. Greeley shares That IL will
be promptly signed by you.
Let me say tor myself that know u would add
greatly tue efficiency OF the memorial II IT were
presented by yourself personally 10 the PrcsiacnL
And II you could 20 at once TO Washington on this
mission you would whether the prayer Is successful
not, do an act which would have happy and heal
ing effect the PROSTATE people OF the south, and
be another step IN that which has
already won for you their abiding gratitude.
Please send the memorial to Mr.. Greeley, Tribune
Office by return mail and believe me- yours with great
esteem.
GEORGE SHEA, OF Counsel for Jefferson Davis.
PGrEaBoao, August "a, 1860.
GEORGE SBRA Esq:
DEAR siR-fhis mornings NATL brings mo your
esteemed and welcome letter, accompanied by
memorial 70 the President. Without hesi,ancy and
with great satisfaction have put my name 10 the
memorial.
We're convinced (Which cannot beg that one Of so
little influence as my own with public men could by
le
mortal, would not delay visit him Some OF
ana faitn less offensive than mine must be the
bearer OF tho memorial venture however, to adj
dress a note 70 tho President which, you and Mr..
Greeley may prefer, GIN be sent or withheld
am, Dear sir, very respectfully yours, &c,
GERkIr SMITH.
PErEBono, ". ", August "a, 1906
President JoussoS,-
HoNoEBD SiR--I have this day subscribed q memo
rial 10 yourself ia behalf OF Jefferson Davis / have
done 80 with great satisfaction, for deem his very
Ion confucme prison. without n trial. an insult