Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-17
GEORGE WILLIAM curtis.
An Account of His Iilness-A Friend to
the South.

WEST NEW BRIoHTos,
RICHMOND COUNTY, N. y. July -. 1892. !
10 he Editor Of the Dispatch:
Twenty years ago came to live at my
present residence. on Bard avenue, near
AR. Curtis.
Endorsing oil that is said of him here,
let me add that his course towards the
South has been second 10 no other lnflu-
ence In avertng from that section the de-
plorable methods of the reconstruction
era.
1 have often wished that he might go
among the southern people, meet socially
with thor literary and leading business
mon, aud talk to a southern audience as L
have heard him discourse to his Delghbors
OF a promiscuous New York assemblage,
AMI / sincerely hope he may live to do so
yet. Tie South has no better friend than
George William Curtis. IL. j. WHITE.
New York World OF July 18TH
The innumerable friends OF George
William Curtis will be vastly gratified to
learn that he is not suffering from cancer
of the stomach, az has been published.
That was distinctly stated last night to a
World reporter by DR.. Curtis, the son OF
the editor, orator, and political student.
Dr. Curtis arrived yesterday at his rather
house from his own home, III Massacnu-
sets.
The sympathy fel. for Mr.. Curtis Is evil
denced by the many inquiries concerning
his health and expressions Of hope tnat ne
is progressing towards recovery that reach
his household. HIS neIghbOrs are particu-
larly solicltous that he get well. What
more can DO said of any MANI be has
lived among them thirty years, never
having once moved from his present haol,
tation. He has always taken a personal
- -, la.ol Cd anH = tIaptiftA1
with the social. literary, and commercial
movements of the community, besides be-
ING connected with several charities ABOUT
New Brighton.
he loves his home and does all his work
there. He knows all his neighbOrs, and
when he shakes their hands il is heartily
and sincerely. as ne shakes every mans
hand. But whatever George william Cur
It's does he does gracefully. In his writings
he is polished and brilliant. When making
a speech he IL the perfection OF ease and
eloquence; when he talks to you his fine
face lights up and his eyes sparkle.
And still, for those who know MIR. Curtis
well. II Is neither as genial essayist, inue-
pendent editor. nor splendid orator that
he makes on them the most agreeable I'M
preston. Ii il as man deeply yersed IN
noble literature and great affairs, rich
with tie friendship of the rarest minds.
and things, and forgetting nothing OF his
wide experience. save the lofty part which
he himself has played.
MIR. Curtis's last great public speech was
made in the ball Of the Young Mems
Christian Association of Brooklyn on the
night of WashingtOns birthday of this
year. IL was q eulogy OF Curtis's friend,
james Russell Lowell, and he spoke thus
of the poet-diplomat and lover OF his Eel
low-men and of his kind;
Like mountain summlts, bright WITH
sunrise that announces the day, such
Americans are harbingers OF the future
which shall justify our faith and fulfil the
promise of America TO mankind. In our
splendid statistics of territorial extern
sion. of the swift civilization OF the
western world. of the miracles OF
our material inventions; IN that vast
and smiling landscape. the home OF a
powerful ana peaceful people hummlng
with industry and enterprise, rich with
the charm of every climate from katahdin
that hears the distant roar OF the Atlantic
to the Golden Gate, through which ktho
soft Pacific signs. and IN every form OF
visible prosperity we sec the resplendont
harvest of the mighty sowing 200 years
ago of the new continent with the sitted
grain of the old.
a But this is not the picture of national
greatness; 1t is only its glittering frame.
Intellectual excellence, noble character,
public probity. lofty ideals. art, litera-
ture. honest politics. righteous laws. con;
soientious labor, public spirit, social
Justice, the stern, self-criticising patriot;
ism which fosters only what is worthy OF
an enlightened people, not what IS I'M
worthy - such qualities and achieve
ments. and such alone, measure the great
ness of a State. aud those who illustrate
them are great citizens They are the men
whose lives are a glorious service and
whose memories are benediction,"
And such citizen is George William
Curtis