University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-05-14
George w. Curtis

cry, a young delegate from New York
state rose to speak for the recognition
Iof the Declaration of Independence in
ithat resolution. The convention was
restless, unwilling to listen to any
speech, for it waited only for the pas
sage of that resolution to adjourn
But the young delegate never faltered ;
he calmly said: "Gentlemen, | have
the floor and | intend to say what
have TO say if stay here till morning.
As a result of his determination, the
convention with cheers declared that
1.-The abolition OF slavery was founded
upon fundamental rights set forth in
The Declaration OF Independence.
Ii was not such weighty question
at stake when George William Curtis
made the speech, but the incident
shows the tenacity ana patriotic sen1i
Iment that followed him through life
II was such patriotic perIinacity that
drought to him the name of Friend
of the Republic"
! George William Curtis was of the
old New England stock, born February
-, 1924. in Providence, u. |. He al
tended the common schools in Massa-
chuSetts. When is years old he was
allowed to choose his own course and
became boarder At Brook farm. but
he never became as extreme a COM
munist as his fellows. Such asSocia-
tions as he had there, however. gave
to him ideals and principles. These
principles showed themselves in after
life, for he never failed 10 apply the
test OF moral principles 10 party meas
ures.
Four years of his younger life was
spent in Europe, Egypt and Syria in
study. When he returned. he went TO
work on the New York Tribune. and be-
came, also. 4 popular lecturer. So
nigh was his sense of honor that he
refused to take advantage of the bank
lruptcy act when Putnam's Magazine
with which he was connected failed.
bur sci to work to discharge all obliga-
tions which he had incurred.
During his newspaper career he
wrote many Books, noted for their
simple. yet picturesque and entertain
ing style. Had he not chosen to
write, he could assuredly have become
famous as lecturer or as politician
In politics. he preferred TO remain in
dependent, and sought rather to in
iluenCe thrOught his work than TO
put himself at the head. He refused
TO accept the nominations offered him
for Republican Offices. He was known
aS an anti-slavery orator and was a
firm abOlutiOnist. His tendencies were
mostly Republican, yet he refused TO
support Blaine for president.
In 1871, he was appointed by Presi-
dent Grant as chairman of the Civil
Service Commission. The report made
by him has been the foundation for
every reform in the civil service since
then. Civil service became his hobby.
For the remainder of hi life he spent
Il large part of his time devoted to
the study of civil service reform.
He was little influenced by the
leaders of his day. Applying the prin-
ciples of morality and justice to all
measures, he led the way by making
his paper take its place above the
petty creeds, alliances and gratis" of
the day. He showed that independence
in politics as well as in other things
was the policy for a newspaper. He
never feared 10 advocate an unpopular
measure that he felt was right. His
patriotism rose above this.
Once in public speech on abolition
of slavery he was forced TO talk while
eggs and other articles rained upon
him from the hands of the crowd. But
he stood his ground then, as he stood
'' iAi Iiit NtdrS
before. And he stood mis- ground midst
threats OF politicians. friends, and
foes, whenever anything advocated in
his paper did not please them. Such
was the case when he refused to sup
port Blaine. Convinced. as he was. that
his course was to oppose Blaine, he
never hesitated but struck bravely out.
though it must have caused him much
Curtis never became a mere partisan.
tied to political issue right or wrong.
He never said. My country, right or
wrong. but My country, right; if |
wrong to make il right"
He was the forerunner of modern
journalism with its independence in
all things. He put in practice on his
paper those principles which tare now
becoming the creed of the best and
greatest journalists. those princfpIes |
whose basis is independence. II is fit
laga