Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1871 — A Christian Hero. [ARTICLE]

A Christian Hero.

A tbvb American hero lately died, over whom no elaborate eulogies will be spoken, but whose name will long be fondly cherished as that of a most faithful friend by the most unfortunate class of American citizens. It is fifteen years since we saw in Wilmington, Delaware, a hearty, cheery Quaker, whom everybody knew, and who, in that Slave State, was famous for aiding the escape of fugitive slaves. He was, indeed, the chief agent of the underground railroad. He was a conspicious. uncompromising abolitionist—that is to say, a sincere American. The sentiment of his neighborhood was unAmerican, medieval, and barbarous. There were scarcely a dozen persons who cared to have it known that they sympathized with him. But Thomas Garrett was .of a sturdy, stalwart frame—a man of invincible bravery, hearty, humorous, and frank; and as you looked at him, and thought of the sullen hatred and inhumanity and ignorant prejudice around him, his brawny shoulders apd the indomitable heart that smiled in his eyes seemed an impregnable bulwark of freedom. Thomas Garrett was an iron-monger, snd established one of the largest houses of that kind in Wilmington. But while his Industry and sagacity in business were all well rewarded, bls delight was to help the helpless Md succor the forlorn. 4#

was, of course, suspected, hated, watched < but he worked in secret only so far ad was necessary to elude the vigilance of the slave catchers. The masters came to him, and stormed and threatened; but, with oaths and revolversand bowie-knives, they never frightened him. While Mr. Webster was calling upon Massachusetts to conquer its prejudices, and consent to kidnapping; while the New York merchants hastened to Castle Garden, and resolved i that the compromises of the constitatiom must be respected, even if the self-respect of honorable men was annihilated; while, on the one hand, eloquent men were exposing the evils and infamies of slavery, and on the other there was a loud chorus that it was indeed horrible, bnt that nothing could be done about it—Thomas Garrett did something about it. The slave stole from the lash and the block, trusting to Nod, and seeking the north star and Thomas Garrett; and before President Lincoln, in the name of the loyal nation, emancipated all the slaves, the Delaware Quaker* had sent forward twenty-seven hundred into freedom. When he was nearly sixty years old he was tried before Chief Justice Taney for abducting certain persons who had no rights which white people were bound to respect, and the damages awarded against him swept away all his property. But Thomas said to the crowd in the courtroom that he should only work harder than ever to save his fellow-creatures from slavery; and he kept his word. He began business, also, anew, and was again prosperous. But his hand and heart never relaxed their labor for the oppressed; and when, a year ago, the colored people of Wilmington celebrated the great release of their race, Thomas Garrett was borne in an open carriage, surrounded by his faithful friends, who carried banners inscribed, “ Our Moses.” His years increased, but his heart never grew old, and his interest in all generous and humane movements was unabated. Had he lived until next Augusts he would have lived eighty-two years; but on the 11th of January of this year he wrote, renewing his subscription to The Woman's Journal .- “ I now must own up that I am an old man—the machinery has not rusted out, but worn out. ... .1 have been favored to keep cheerful, but feel that my work here is nearly done.” The old man was right. He died after a few days, and, as he had promised when they asked him a year before, men of the race he had so faithfully served bore him to his grave. Who are the Christian heroes! Are they not those of whom it is written, “ And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me Harper's Weekly.