Gerrit Smith — American Politician born on March 06, 1797, died on December 28, 1874

Gerrit Smith was a leading United States social reformer, abolitionist, politician, and philanthropist. Spouse to Ann Carroll Fitzhugh, Smith was a candidate for President of the United States in 1848, 1856, and 1860, but only served 18 months in the federal government—in Congress as a Free Soil Party Representative, in 1853–4... (wikipedia)

Truth and mercy require the exertion - never the suppression, of man's noble rights and powers.
Our concern, however, is with slavery as it is, and not with any theory of it.
Let the poor man count as his enemy, and his worst enemy, every invader of the right of free discussion.
I need say no more, to prove that slavery is entirely unlike the servitude in the patriarchal families.
I do not object to the construction of rail roads and canals.