Smith, Gerrit. Sermons and Speeches of Gerrit Smith. New-York: Ross & Tousey, 1861. First Edition. [4500]
Blindstamped pebble cloth over thin boards, 9 x 5 1/2 inches, boards and end papers dampstained, also stains to the frontispiece engraving and title page, rest clean. Front end paper hinge scuffed. Binding tight. Fair. Hardcover.
The scarce first edition of this collection, which includes The Religion of Reason; The One Test of Character; Bible Civil Government; Miracles [he denies them]; Speech in behalf of Anderson, the alleged Murderer; Speech for Human Rights; War Meeting in Peterboro (April 27, 1861); and Letter to Rev. Dr. G. C. Beckwith: Even Peace-Societies Hold to Defending Government & Even Peace-Societies Hold to no Peace with Traitors.
Gerrit Smith (1797-1874), b. Utica, NY; d. NYC. Born to wealth, he used his means to finance radical causes, including abolitionism and teetotalism. He was renowned for his philanthropy, helping many persons and causes. His home in Peterboro, NY, was a station on the underground railroad, and he financed John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. He was nominated by two smaller political parties for US President, and served one term in Congress as a representative from New York as an independent, and advocated for the abolition of slavery, against war, for free trade, for women's right to vote, for direct democracy, and for liquor prohibition. He was also a radical in religion, separating from the Presbyterian Church in 1843, and helped found the non-sectarian Church at Peterboro, NY.