Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-02-05
DAILY poS1.InTElueEnC



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WuORRL R01Ia&9o.
In every aRs and Rsnseatioo msn
have arissn whose uttsrancss and ssss
have left thor impress upon the people
and the government among whom and
under which they moved and lived.
Suoh an ono was Wendell Phillips,
whose death occurred ON Saturday
night last. We have room for but
brief review of the life OF one OF the
most gifted orators and strsnsoos al
yocstes Of human freedom 70 which
the uinetssnth century has given birtn.
Wendell Phillips Vas born In Boston,
Nass., November -, 1si1. Destined
for the bar, he wAs graduated at Har-
ward in 1888, and admitted 70 practice
in the following year. His surround
ines were aristosratic, and his associa-
lions all tended TO conservatism. But
thsre was that in him which. looking
beneath the veneerinR with which
wealth and power so cftsn hide 'nJos-
tioe and oppression, revolted, and
mighty storm Of indignation was
aroused.
He was born to be rsformer, one OF
those men Who, earlier than tho people
With whom they minRls, strive to trans
- S~ret,~ int, rus,N p<fn faNto
He had read in the Declaration OF
American Independence that all men
are created free and equal, and believed
in The truth Of that immortal utterance.
He looked around and Gavin tho land
vhsrs 6rst that doctrine was proclaimed
By whole peoples RAGS in bondage.
And 70 in 1885 be became an abolition
ist. The whole world knows his history
sftsrvsrd. He was a radical Of radi-
Gala. 30 fierce was bis hatred of slavery
and 70 intensely DESTROYS was be to ex-
tirpate the barbsYi0 relic." that be
went beyond the limits Of loyalty 10
his govern nent, and epenlv advo-
ostsd disunion, il necessary TO secure
that result. But when, In 1861. slavery
in the garb Of the Confedsracy armed
itself and appealed to the wager Of
battls' for decision whether il should
dominate or be destroyed, his voice was
heard in such eloqusnce as to bat few
men has been given, in support OF the
Union Of States. He knew, AZ did most
Of %, that il was TO be life and death
struggle between q government based
upon freedom and . hostile structure
whose corner stone was human slavery.
A. 10 have said before, Wendell Phil
lips vas born radical. With him no
half way measures sufiioed. In the
second year Of the war he advocated
arming and enfranchisina the blacks,
both of which we're afterward done, and
not until the Fifteenth Amendment be-
came part OF the organic Law Of this
Rspublic, did he admit that the work Of
the anti-slavsry society was accom-
pliahed, and consent to its disbandment.
Radical in his positions upon all politi-
al, social and economic questions. he
advocated woman suffrage, prohibitory
liquor laws and prison reform, opposed
capital punishment and was champion
Of labor. He had the courage Of con-
Vision and . tsnssity Of purpose that
: would mot acknowledge defeat. To such
men the world il indebted for those
avsksnings Of public sentiment which
in every age have been followed by
marked benefit 70 the race. Fsrvent in
dsuounsing all forms OF oppression. be
vas IN apostle Of truth and Justice. The
world must have such men; they lead
the van in the march upward toward
the highest sttainabls good for the in
dividual, and the most perfect security
fo9 eommonwsalths and nations. They
aSs ths power. Conservatism applies
Tie brake. WHISTLER IL 10 by Divine
ordinance, or the outgrowth Of human
tnstitutiens, certain il 10 that whenever
great evil has ovsrshadowed debassd
and threatened ruin to a people, evan
Gslists Of justice aud liberty, such a.
Wendell Phillips. have arisen and
wrought successfully for its overthrow.