Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-02-22
THE LATE WENDELL PHILLIPS.
The Great Agitator and Rcformer.
A Brief Heview OF mis- Life ana
Chnrn cte ristics.

With the death OF Wendell Phillips, the
last OF the great pioneers and original
sposlles of Abolitionism in the United
States is gathered to his reward. He WIS
born in Boston on the Goth Of November,
1911. Al the age Of nineteen lie grndua-
ted from Harvard College, began at once
the study Of law, and was admitted to the
bar In 1884
His sympathics were strongly aroused
by the persecution of the early Abolition
lists, more particularly during the Boston
mob in October, 1885, when Garrison, the
leader Of the Abolitionists narrowly es.
caped with his life. The following year
Phillips gave Up the practice Of law be-
cause he was unwilling 10 act under an
oath of allegiance to the Constitution Of
the United States, and publicly joined the
Abolitioni,is. IN 1865 lie succeeded Will
liam Lloyd Garrison Ms President of the
nnu.Slnvery Society, which position he
held until the dissolution Of the organiza-
tien in 1870
In his time Wendell Phillips sspoused
many causes, such asprohibilIon, abolition
OF interest ON money, Communism, agra
grianisn, greenback fiat money, the elec
ton Of Gen. Butler TO the Presidency.
woman's rights, the abelition Of govern-
menl and all penal laws, the restriction Of
rufians and criminals by the power OF
love only, the abolition OF slavery aud of
the American Constitution az "a covenant
with death and league with hell" He
orposed bitterly the formation Of the anti
Slavery political party. He was candidate
for Governor Of Massachusetts, at one time
but lie received only ANAL vote. During
The war he dropped all his views Of no
government and non. political action
against slavery, and became an advocate
Of the most extreme measures for its sup.
preston. Thus twenty-five of the best
years of his life devoted to the agitation
Of an anti slavery sentiment, eliminated
in success with the Issue Of the Emancipa-
tion proclamation and amidst a mighty
shock of arms.
With the exiinguislment OF slavery the
activities Of Mr.. Phillips mind sought new
directions. and VIII hatever subject he dis
cussed, the magnetic eloquence, the never.
failing courage, the splendid intellectual
powers, the fierce defiance OF pnblc sent
utIt u AEHInbt nllu, ARE IItrn III the COuH+
try's recollection. His sympathies with
humanity were unbounded, his hatred oi
oppression IN all its forms, and of shains
in all their phases, intense, his grasp OF
the future possibilities of American civil.
zation far reaching, and the world, in spite
of any mistakes that he may have made
was the better for his living.
In personal appearance Mr. Phillips
was II man of 6ne and commn nnding pres.
ence. He was no doubt the most complete
and polished orator on the American plat
form. Although the associate of the cul-
tured and aristscratic, he WAS a man of the
simplest habits and the least ostentaliop
He lived for forty years in modest two
story brick house built by himself in Bos-
ton and which he vacated most unwillingly
in 1882, the property having been "con
demned" for street Improvement. In the
death OF Mr.. Phillips the little baud oil
surviving original abolitionisls loses its
most heroic and striking figure. Doctor
Furness and Robert Purves, of Washing.
ton and the veteran poet Whittier, oI
Massachusetts,, and few others of less
note still survive to mourn the death oi
their silver tongued leader, but the ranks
OF the heroic men and women who faced
obloqny aud persecution for The sake Of the
friendless black man are growing thinner
each year.