New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-01

noted rivals upon the piai.crm--ior u the age
o: ecureyS-but he continued to grow IN popularity
rs public speaker. and he constantly he'd high rnrH
as All orator.
In 1856 he enlisted VITA great yea! .,'dc
speaker In behalf Of the Republican parry. Vas
in this year that he married Miss Anna siam. A
daughter Of George Francis Shaw, 0! strong anu
slavery stock and soon NJ Curiss speeches breathed
OF little else save The crime OF slavery. While b.
was spreading his anti slavery influence from the
platform and from his editorial chair. lie wa, also
actively engaged In the infringement Of local poluG'
on Staten Island, becoming chairman OF the RepuiLl
can County Committee. All ohce which he held ioI
many years In 1860 he was delegate TO She National
Republican Convention, which nominated Abraham
Lincoln for president. What Is considered 10 he one
was made at this convention. After the election Of
Mr.. Lincoln Mr.. Curtis continued his energetic woT,
On The stump in support OF anticipation. but ne
had In 1858 become political editor oil Harper ,
Weekly" and with his pen then and long afterward
he vigorously championed the cause Of the negro
He was again IN 1854 delegate to the National Re
publican Convention and IN that same year he was
the Republican candidate FOR congress IN Inc ISL New
York District. but defeated
In 1852 President Lincoln offered him the post OF
ConsulGeneral to Egypt but he declined the appoint,
ment. In 1867 he was delegate at-lsrge TO the
Constitutional Convention Of this sate. where hr
In 1868 lie u Republican Presidential elecicr
IN 1860. upon the death OF Henry J. RAYMOND Mr.
York Times" but he declined this offer, greatly to
The dist np0ntmeilt OF his friends.
Mr.. Curtis came into especial prominence before
reform movement lie had followed Tie lead of
rhoinas A. Jencks OF Rhode Island. who IN 1865
irsmed the first practical measure Of civil Service
reform In 1871. President Grant appointed Mr.
Curtis one Of comm01 to draw w up e I for end ihe
man Of The commission aud Of the Advisory Board
In which It was subsequently, merged Differences
however, arose between him and tho President: and
he resigned. but his Interest In the subject dd not
nag. Under his guidance the National Civl service
Reform League formed in 1881. a New York
organization had been formed four wears earlier and
upon its reconstruction IN 1880. Mr. Curtis had be-
s a aS Ls Support Of de Hd
lstalion in The Ncwlork STATE Convention, IN is,n
Curtis did not support Mr.. Blaine In 1854 nor Prrsl-
dent Harrison in 1883, though he had been sorey
% in @ noR Gf n T Sr ha
his vain hopes. famed into a spark OF expectancy
III 1854. had been cruelty crushed and that MS IN,
Mr. Cleveland In 1894 had steadily waned
Mr. Curtis was member Of NJ Ec1ld OF Resr nl6
always taken a keen Interest in the education OF
women. and early 1853 he advocated the rights
As president Of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, he
labored energeticalv and skfllv for the enarec
mcnt Of the collections and thdr free use by the
people lie president Of the National Conference
q Unitarian Churches. and vccpre,ident Of The
oftccr OF the Free Religious Association. Some ~
his latest work was the editing OF John 1othrop
Motley's letters.
AIR. Curlis's manner as a speaker was peculiarly
attractive. He not fiery and no, imprisoned:
he was rather more graceful and winning. His voice
ease and rare charm Of nuency and he always
dlgnhed In his bearing before an audience. He has
gatherings. He delivered culoccs linon sumner
Phillips. Bryant and his warm friend Lowell: and
meetings and similar occasions he will long h. rtmrm-
hered by his hearers Tor his charm 81 manner. his
grace OF speech and his harmony Of ideas fitting his
subject. His sa,ircal touches Of humor In his
magazine writings. his variations from leviiy AMI
earnestness Of purpose and sincerity. are Too well
known to his many readers 10 cal for comment here