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82 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
‘in behalf of the black men of the South, and when the struggle for 
freedom and the Union came, he was ready to do his part. 
The famous Eighth Wisconsin Regiment and its war eagle, “Old 
Abe,” interested Mr. Barrett, and he wrote its history,combined with 
a life of “Old Abe”, at the close of the war. The proceeds of the 
sales of this work were generously donated by Mr. Barrett to the 
Sanitary Commission for the benefit of the sick and wounded soldiers. 
He had “Old Abe” in charge at the Centennial Exposition, in 1876. 
He was an earnest advocate of the education of the black race, and 
did all in his power to secure that needed reform. Mr. Barrett al- 
ways sympathized with the poor and oppressed classes among his 
fellowmen. He felt that the millionaire was entitled to no special 
privileges because of his wealth and position; hence, he uttered a 
ringing protest against organized injustice with regard to the na- 
tion’s money and the rights of citizens in every department of life, 
In 1889 Mr. Barrett was the candidate of his party for the office of 
lieut-governor of Minnesota and received a very flattering vote, 
nearly sixty thousand voters declaring themselves in his favor. 
During his busy public life Mr. Barrett found time to engage in 
‘literary pursuits to no little extent. He was editor of “The Scholars 
Leaf” in 1849, and wrote constantly for the Universalist press for 
many years. He edited the Free Press (Eau Claire, Wis.) during the 
early part of the war. 
He needs no encomiums of praise to add to the lustre of his fame 
His best record, his noblest monument, can be found in the pure 
upright, conscientious life that he led during his sojourn upon 
earth. Becoming weary of the struggles, vicissitudes and perplex- 
ities of life, he has lain down the burden of years to take a needed 
restin spirit. His heart was large and his soul sincere. He loved 
his fellowmen, and sought to benefit them through his sincerity of 
purpose and devotion to principle. He was an honest, uprig ht 
manly man, and has made the world better because he lived in it. 
A devoted wife, a daughter, three sons, five brothers and a sister 
survive. Pass on to thy rest, thou who hast overcome! Peace, 
peace, eternal peace, be with thee in heaven, and with thy loved 
ones on earth! 
Mr, Barrett became a member of this society first in 1886, and 
thereafter his name is found continuously upon the roll. In 
1889 he was elected vice-president for his congressional dis- 
trict and continued to hold this honorable position up to the 
time of his decease. As an earnest and faithful member of our 
organization he was in nothing lacking, never shirking a duty, 
but cheerfully and willingly always taking up and carrying 
forward with credit to himself and great benefit to our cause 
any work coming in his way. Of whom of our members can 
more than this be said? Of him it was ever most true that he 
lived ‘‘with malice towards none and charity for all.” He will 
be sadly missed and mourned by our fraternity, with whom he 
served so truly. SEC’Y. 
