New-York tribune., 1903-01-19
ABR4N 6. HEWITT.

The death of Abram S Hewitt inflicts a
real and serious loss upon much larger COM
munity than that of New-York, where his
activities were so loLg chiefly exerted, but it
is here that he will be most keenly missed.
So closely did he remain associated with the
life of this city that the fact of his being a
citizen of New-Jersey in recent years seemed
not 10 be widely known or easily remembered
and even within short time the suggestion
has been often heard that public needs de-
manded his return to municipal office. That
circumstance is not only a grateful indication
of the value generally placed on the services
which he had rendered to the city in an Off
cial capacity, but an impressive tribute to the
mental and moral vigor which advancing years
did not abate.
Indeed it has seemed 10 us in considering
his frequent contributions TO the discussion Of
important subjects during the last decade that,
in the years which it would have been natural
to call the prime of his life, Mr. Hewitt had
not reached the full measure Of his Intellectual
powers, and that his interest in questions
affecting the permanent welfare of his fellow
men grew stronger as he advanced beyond the
boundary of old age. 1t was often remarked
also that his temper, long tried by physical
infirmities. became more and more benevolent
His hostility TO policies which affronted his
Judgment was not less determined but his
sympathtes expanded and his heart grew
warmer the frost descended on his head
He was always actiEe, though not always con-
spicuous, in charity-not the charity which
undermines and impoverishes, but that which
builds up the individual and fortifes the social
fabric.
The Tribune does not need to say that its
hos aJv NFr
Hewitt's, but we have never doubted that
he believed his to express a true eoncep-
ton of the essential requirements of a free
government, and that he was constantly ami
mated by personal devotion to the common
good. He never surrendered the principles for
which he understood Democracy to stand but
feeling that his party had abandoned the posi-
ton which belonged to it, he said only few
weeks age that he was not Democrat His
meaning was perfectly clear. He had unhesf-
tatingly made it clear by his conduct in two
Presidential campaigns in which he was con-
WINGED that Republican defeat would be a
national disaster, and assuredly his moral and
intellectual force was never more finely mani
tested than during those crises
New-York will seem lonely without Mr..
Hewitt His voice and pen were always at its
service, and we like to repeat that they were
never more generously and more wisely used
than during his latest years. In addressing
the public he possessed the advantages which
a venerable figure and character bestow, but
he did not need them TO command a hearing
and win the general assent of diSinterested
men to his views of what opportunity offered
and duty prescribed. He had copious knowl-
edge and extraordinary intelligence. His mind
was a beautiful machine, and his speech ex-
pressed his thoughts with perfect precision.
But nobler far than his great endowments was
the service to which he put them. He earnestly
desired throughout his life to be a good citizen,
he employed his talents and his resources TO
that end. and the community lays a tribute of
profound respect and gratitude at his feet