"Truth and mercy require the exertion - never the suppression, of man's noble rights and powers"

This quote by Gerrit Smith speaks with the value of truth and grace in the workout of human rights and powers. Smith is highlighting that fact and mercy should be the directing principles in making use of our rights and powers. He is suggesting that we should not suppress our rights and powers, but rather use them in a way that is consistent with fact and mercy. This indicates that we ought to utilize our rights and powers in a manner that is helpful to others, and not just for our own benefit. Smith is also recommending that we need to utilize our rights and powers in a way that is considerate of the rights and powers of others. This quote is a reminder that we need to utilize our rights and powers in such a way that follows fact and grace, which we ought to not utilize them to oppress or benefit from others.