Most likely this task best is suited for using a script to be integrated into SmartGit as external tool.

See http://smartgit.userecho.com/topics/43-true-dark-color-mode/

Please try Help | Check for Latest Build in the SmartGit 8.1 preview

You already can select the commits and select Copy Message in SmartGit 8.1.

Why you are not using a plain compare (F4)?

Ich mean this dialog which pops up on Pull if pull.rebase is not configured yet in the .git/config file.

If you select the "Remember"-checkbox, pull.rebase = true will be added to ~/.gitconfig and you won't see this dialog again.

SmartGit uses the native controls. Those of Gnome 3 are excessively large. Please try using a different desktop.