Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution Part 24

In 1769 Mr. Rodney was chosen speaker of the a.s.sembly of Delaware and continued to fill the chair for several years with honor and dignity.

Among other things he introduced an amendment to a bill relative to slaves, prohibiting their importation into the Colony. So ably did he advocate this humane proposition that it was lost only by two votes. The same philanthropic feeling was increasing through the states until England, by her emissary Dr. Thompson, sowed the seeds of abolition broadcast in our country for the express purpose of dissolving our UNION and of destroying the only republic Europe fears. Digging around the roots of a decaying tree often revives it. Honest men may err.

As the specks of war began to concentrate Mr. Rodney became one of the most active opposers of British tyranny. Excepting a short interval he was a member of Congress from 1774 to 1776 and took a conspicuous part in the general business and discussions of that august body. In his own province he had much to do. The royal attachments were deeply rooted. It required greater exertions to thwart the intrigues of foes within than to repel the attacks of enemies without. In addition to his duties of speaker of the Delaware a.s.sembly and member of Congress those of brigadier-general of militia devolved on him. His numerous messages to his legislature and letters to his officers urging them to decisive action manifested great industry, clearness of perception, firmness of purpose and patriotic zeal. He was in favor of the Declaration of Independence from its first inception. The day previous to the final decision upon this important measure he was in Delaware devising means to arrest the career of certain Tories in the lower end of the province.

Mr. McKean informed him by express of the approaching crisis. He immediately mounted his horse and arrived at Philadelphia just in time to dismount and enter the hall of Congress and give his vote for LIBERTY and affix his name to that bold instrument that dissolved allegiance to England's king and created a compact of freemen.

In the autumn of 1776 the Tories defeated his election to Congress. With increasing zeal he entered the field of military operations. He repaired to Princeton soon after the brave Haslet and Mercer fell, fighting for the cause of justice and freedom. He remained with the army two months and received the approval of Washington expressed in the following letter written from Morristown, N. J. on the 18th of February 1777.

"The readiness with which you took the field at the period most critical to our affairs--the industry you used in bringing out the militia of Delaware State and the alertness observed by you in forwarding troops to Trenton--reflect the highest honor on your character and place your attachment to the cause in the most distinguished point of view. They claim my sincerest thanks and I am happy in this opportunity in giving them to you."

On his return he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court organized under the new order of things. He declined serving believing he could be more useful in some other sphere. About that time an open insurrection broke out in Suss.e.x County in his State. He immediately repaired to the scene of insubordination and quelled it with only the appearance of force. At the time the British were preparing to march from the Chesapeake to the Brandywine he was stationed south of the American army for the purpose of throwing his force between the enemy and their shipping. In the field and in the legislative hall he was alike active.

In December 1777 he was again elected to Congress. The legislature of his State being in session he concluded to remain until it rose. Before its adjournment he was elected President of Delaware which prevented him from serving in the national legislature. His services in his new station were of great importance. His exertions in raising supplies for the army were of the most vigorous character--especially during the winter and spring of 1779 when the troops were often on half allowance and the magazines so bare that it seemed impossible to sustain the army a single week. During the four years he directed the destinies of Delaware he had many refractory spirits to manage--many difficult questions to decide that brought into useful action his prudence, wisdom and firmness. Upon his own matured judgment he relied. So well did he balance the scales of justice that he gained the admiration of his friends and the approval of his enemies. The affairs of the State were never in better hands.

Mr. Rodney was remarkably fond of a good joke if inoffensive and chaste.

He often exhibited brilliant displays of wit but was extremely careful of personal feelings. When in Congress Mr. Harrison had often called Virginia the Dominion of the Colonies. When threatened with invasion by the enemy he asked immediate aid to protect her from the approaching foe. When he sat down Mr. Rodney rose with a.s.sumed gravity and apparent sympathy and a.s.sured the gentleman that the _powerful Dominion_ should be protected--"Let her be of good cheer--she has a friend in need--_Delaware_ will take her under protection and insure her safety."

The portly Harrison and the skeleton Rodney both enjoyed the hit which convulsed the other members with laughter.

In view of the great amount of business performed by Mr. Rodney and his proverbial cheerfulness and playful good humor the reader will be astonished to learn that he was afflicted with a cancer upon his nose from his youth which spread over one side of his face and compelled him to wear a bandage over it for many years before his death. It so reduced his flesh that he was a walking skeleton. It terminated his active and useful life in 1783. He met death with calm submission and Christian fort.i.tude and died rejoicing in the bright prospects that were dawning upon the country he dearly loved and had faithfully served.

Mr. Rodney was naturally of a slender form with an animated countenance, easy and polished manners and very agreeable and gentlemanly in his intercourse. From his writings he appears to have held religion in high veneration and practised the purest morals--producing the fruits of righteousness in richer abundance than many who make loud pretensions to piety but do not prove their faith by their works. He was liberal, kind, benevolent and so strongly sympathetic that he was obliged to avoid scenes of physical suffering if possible. He could not endure to be in the room of a dying friend or relative. The poor, the widow, the orphan, his relatives and friends, his country--all deeply mourned the loss of CaeSAR RODNEY.

GEORGE ROSS.

Idleness is the tomb of a living man--the progenitor of want, the substratum of misery--the fountain of crime. It was scarcely known and never countenanced by the pilgrim fathers or revolutionary patriots. We now have many among us who had rather be pinched with hunger and shine in rags than labor. A more numerous and dangerous cla.s.s is composed of gentlemen idlers who pa.s.s down the stream of time at the expense of those who constantly pull at the oar. They live upon the best, dress finely by borrowing and spunging and when these fail they take to swindling, stealing, gambling, robbing and often pa.s.s on for years before justice overtakes them. So long as they can keep up fashionable appearances and elude the kind hearted police whose good will they generally have, they are received into the company of the upper ten exquisites with marked complacency. By virtue of a fine coat, lily hand and graceful bow, which cover more sins than modern Christian charity, many an idle knave has been received into fashionable circles with eclat and walked rough-shod over a worthy young clerk, mechanic or farmer who had too much good sense to act the monkey flirtations of an itinerant dandy. When the counting-house, the mechanic shop, the plough and the kitchen fall into disrepute and are submerged by vain show, pomp and parade--the sun of our country's glory will set to rise no more. When the republican simplicity of Greece and Rome receded before imported fashions, luxuries and rules of etiquette--when they ceased to call men from the shop and the plough to the cabinet and the field--when the women exchanged the kitchen for the drawing-room and plainness for extravagance of dress--corruption supplanted virtue--the genius of LIBERTY veiled her face and fled--dissolution followed--RUIN closed the dreadful scene.

Industry and plainness were marked characteristics of the Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution. Among them George Ross stood conspicuous. He was born at Newcastle, Delaware, in 1730. He was the son of Rev. George Ross, pastor of the Episcopal church at that ancient town. Under the instruction of his father the strong native talents of George unfolded their richness. At the age of eighteen he was a good cla.s.sical scholar. He then commenced the study of law in Philadelphia with an elder brother, John Ross, where he was admitted to the Bar in 1751. To have elbow room he located at Lancaster, Pennsylvania--then on the confines of civilization bordering on the far west. n.o.ble in his disposition, plain and agreeable in his manners, learned and diligent in his profession, candid, honest and just in his course--he gained the confidence and love of the people and a lucrative practice. To plant himself more firmly in his new location and give additional proof of his good sense, he married Ann Lawler a highly esteemed lady who proved an affectionate and worthy companion.

He built his legal fame on the genuine basis--close application to his professional business unconnected with public politics. Unfortunately for themselves many young lawyers enter the political arena for the purpose of obtaining professional notoriety and business. This error has prevented many talented young men from rising to legal eminence in modern times. The Revolution was a different matter. Liberty or death was then the issue. Now it is a feigned one. If a young attorney becomes pledged to a political party he has not a _client_ but a _master_ that exacts the most abject, humiliating services with a contingent promise to pay in bogus coin. Either his legitimate business or that of the party must be neglected. Reflecting men know this. Aware that it requires close application to become learned in the law they keep aloof from young political lawyers. A few high toned partisans, whose tools they are, may employ them in small cases but when _they_ have an important one--the studious industrious counsellor who has not inhaled the corrupting atmosphere of modern politics is the one employed. A word to the wise should be sufficient.

It was not until long after his location at Lancaster that Mr. Ross entered upon his legislative course. The time had arrived when the people began to feel the smart of British oppression and became more particular in selecting men of known worth and talents to guard their interests against the machinations of an avaricious and designing ministry. He was elected to the Colonial a.s.sembly in 1768. His reputation stood high as an able lawyer and a man of liberal views, sound judgment and decision of character. His influence was sensibly felt--his labors highly appreciated. At that time the legislative body replied to the message of the governor _in extenso_. At his first session Mr. Ross was appointed to reply to this doc.u.ment. In respectful but bold language he objected to every proposition that he considered impolitic or in opposition to the best interests of the people. He was a fearless sentinel, a powerful champion in the cause of Liberty. In every leading measure in favour of freedom he was a leading man. He was continued in the a.s.sembly until he took his seat in Congress in 1774. He was upon the committee that reported in favor of sending delegates and the man who prepared the instructions of the a.s.sembly to the congressional delegates. As these are substantially the same as those that were given to all instructed delegates I insert them that the reader may see that redress of grievances was all that was asked or then antic.i.p.ated.

"The trust reposed in you is of such a nature and the modes of executing it may be so diversified in the course of your deliberations, that it is scarcely possible to give you particular instructions respecting it. We shall therefore only in general direct--that you are to meet in Congress the committees of the several British Colonies at such time and place as shall be generally agreed on, to consult together on the present critical and alarming situation and state of the Colonies and that you, with them, exert your utmost endeavors to form and adopt a plan which shall afford the best prospect of obtaining redress of American grievances, ascertaining American rights and establishing that union and harmony which is most essential to the welfare and happiness of both countries. And in doing this you are strictly charged to avoid everything indecent or disrespectful to the mother state."

Under instructions like these the first general Congress convened and acted. The Colonies used all honorable means to restore harmony--more than the British Const.i.tution and common justice required. Nothing but an infatuation that makes men blind, deaf and dumb could have resisted the appeals and unanswerable arguments in favor of chartered rights, showing their violations--that were poured upon the king, Parliament and people of Great Britain from the deep translucent fountain of intelligence concentrated in the Congress of 1774. The members were determined to clear their own skirts of blood and not draw the bow of physical opposition until their arrows were barbed with divine wisdom and dipped in the refining fire of eternal justice.

Mr. Ross was continued in Congress until 1777 when ill health compelled him to retire. He had rendered great service on numerous committees and was listened to with marked attention when he spoke in debate. When he could be spared from his place he served in the legislature of his State where his salutary influence was strongly felt. For some time the royal governor and his friends presented a formidable opposition. Mr. Ross put his whole weight on the people's end of the political lever with his popularity for a fulcrum and greatly aided in hoisting the tree of monarchy from its deep bed of alluvial corruption. He was a member of the convention of his State that commenced the new government and on the committee that prepared the declaration of rights. He was chairman of the committee that organized the government and of the one that prepared the declaratory ordinance defining high treason and misprision of treason and the kind and measure of punishment to be inflicted. His high legal knowledge rendered him an important member upon such committees.

Immediately after he closed his legislative career the citizens of Lancaster County pa.s.sed the two following resolutions with great unanimity.

"Resolved--That the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds out of the county stock be forthwith transmitted to George Ross ['_Honorable_' was not then republican] one of the members of the a.s.sembly for this county and one of the delegates for this Colony in the Continental Congress and that he be requested to accept the same as a testimony from this county of their sense of his attendance on public business to his great private loss and of their approbation of his conduct.

"Resolved--That if it be more agreeable, Mr. Ross purchase with part of the said money a genteel piece of plate, ornamented as he thinks proper, to remain with him as a testimony of the esteem this county has for him by reason of his patriotic conduct in the great struggle for American Liberty."

Here is old fashioned republican simplicity in language and sentiment flowing from its native fountain--grat.i.tude strongly felt and plainly expressed. It forms a rebuking contrast with the fulsome, hypocritical, heartless flattery of modern times showered upon our statesmen by fawning sycophants whose grat.i.tude is based alone upon the loaves and fishes of favor and office. Mr. Ross declined accepting the gift, a.s.suring the committee that waited upon him that he had performed no more than his duty and that at such a period all were bound to exert their n.o.blest energies to secure that Liberty which would afford a reward more precious than gold--more valuable than diamonds.

On the 19th of July 1779 Mr. Ross was appointed Judge of the Court of Admiralty for Pennsylvania. He continued to discharge his duties ably until confined by a sudden and excruciating attack of the gout which terminated in death the same year he was appointed judge. In the full career of life and usefulness--rising on the wings of fame--flushed with hopes of Liberty for his country--pressing right onward toward the goal of freedom--an arrow from the quiver of death pierced his patriotic heart and consigned him to the insatiate tomb near the close of 1779.

His dust reposes in peace whilst the l.u.s.tre of his living examples will continue to shine and enlighten millions yet unborn.

In private as in public life Judge Ross stood approved, admired and beloved. No blemish rests upon the fair escutcheon of his name. He soared above the vanities of this world and dignified his bright career with purity of motive, firmness of purpose, wisdom in action and usefulness to his fellow men and beloved country. Could the lofty patriotism that impelled him to enter the th.o.r.n.y arena of politics be imparted to _all_ the public men of the present day--the Federal Const.i.tution would be venerated--our government safe--our UNION preserved.

BENJAMIN RUSH.

Benevolence is a celestial quality imparting consolation to its possessor and the recipient of benefits bestowed. It renders its favors valuable by the delicacy with which they are conveyed. Those who most merit the aid of the benevolent are usually possessed of fine feeling.

The subjects of real misfortune--they are the keenly sensitive and dread the approach of those who carry a speaking trumpet or a public scroll to proclaim to the world the alms they have bestowed.

Pure benevolence falls upon its object like the dew on drooping flowers--not at the blaze of noon day but in the stillness of night. Its refreshing effects are felt, seen and admired--not the hand that distilled It. It flows from a good heart and looks beyond the skies for an approving smile. It never opens but seeks to heal the wounds of misfortune. It never ruffles but seeks to calm the troubled mind. Like their Lord and Master--the truly benevolent go about doing good. No parade--no trumpet to sound their charities--no press to chronicle their acts. The grat.i.tude of the donee is a rich recompense to the donor--purity of motive refines the joys of each. Angels smile on such benevolence. It is the attribute of Deity--the moving cause of every blessing we enjoy.

So thought Benjamin Rush, a native of Bristol, Bucks County, Penn. born on the 24th of Dec. 1745. His ancestors came to this country under the auspices of William Penn in 1683. His father was a respectable farmer and died when this son was a child. At the age of nine years Benjamin was placed under the tuition of his maternal uncle, Rev. Dr. Samuel Finley. He continued under his instruction five years when he entered Princeton College, then under the direction of President Davis. Like an expanding flower courting the increasing warmth of spring the talents of this young freshman rapidly unfolded their rich and varied hues as they were brought into mellow life by the genial rays of the sun of science.

At the end of the first year he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

During his brief stay at Princeton he was highly esteemed and was considered one of the most eloquent speakers among the students. At the age of sixteen he closed his collegiate studies and commenced reading medicine with Dr. John Redman, then one of the most eminent pract.i.tioners in the city of Philadelphia. The same industry that had marked his previous course made him a favorite son of aesculapius. The same urbanity and modesty that had made him a welcome guest in every circle in other places, gained for him good and influential friends in his new location.

After pursuing his studies with great industry for six years under Dr.

Redman he entered the Medical University at Edinburgh, Scotland, where he reaped the full benefit of the lectures of the celebrated Munro, Cullen, Black and Gregory. In 1768 he received the degree of M.D. having toiled severely for _seven_ years to prepare himself to take in charge human life. As in the study of law, theology and most of the professions and trades--how great the change in numerous instances. I have known so called doctors made in a month--lawyers in six months and preachers in a single night--sprouts of quackology to be sure--but they pa.s.s in these days of humb.u.g.g.e.ry and often distance the man of acquirements and real merit who is too modest to make a bragadocia dash. Self-a.s.surance and brazen impudence are performing wonders in this enlightened age. As elementary and practical books increase terms of study decrease. When Cheselden's Anatomy and Cullen's Materia Medica stood almost alone in this country, students were longer at their studies. The lectures you may reply have shortened the term. True--but why so few Rushes, Physics, &c. among the flood of modern M.D.'s?

On receiving his diploma he went to London and was admitted to practise in the hospitals of that city where he remained nearly a year and became eminent as a bold and successful operator--a skilful and judicious physician. He then visited the hospitals of Paris and returned to Philadelphia in the spring of 1769, where he met the warm embrace of his connections and friends and commenced his useful career in that city.

His professional fame had preceded him and his superior acquirements were immediately had in requisition. In addition to a rapidly increasing practice he performed the labors of a Professor in the Medical School that had been recently organized by Drs. Bond, Kuhn, Morgan and Shippen.

He was elected to that important station a few months after his return.

Upon a substantial basis he continued to build an honest and enduring fame--partic.i.p.ating in all the pa.s.sing events that concerned the good and glory of his country and his fellow men.

Although a close student of medicine and surgery, it was soon discovered that he well understood the relative situation of the mother country and the American Colonies. He had closely examined the unwarranted pretensions of the former and the aggravated grievances of the latter.

His benevolent soul was touched by the sufferings of oppressed humanity and warmed by the patriotic fire of FREEDOM. He at once became a bold and able advocate in the cause of LIBERTY--a firm and fearless opposer of British tyranny--a strong and energetic supporter of equal rights.

Mingling with all cla.s.ses through the medium of his profession, his influence was as extensive and multiform as it was useful and salutary.

The Independence of his country was the _ultimatum_ of his desires. To see her regenerated and free was the anxious wish of his heart. So conspicuous was he in the glorious cause, that he was elected a member of the Congress of 1776 and had the proud pleasure of placing his name upon the chart of FREEDOM.

The year following he was appointed Surgeon General of the Military Hospital for the middle department and rendered himself extensively useful during the entire period of the Revolution. He was ever ready to go where duty called and exerted his n.o.blest powers in the glorious cause he had espoused until he saw the star spangled banner wave in triumph over the land of the brave and free and the incense of LIBERTY ascending to Heaven in cerulean clouds from the altar of FREEDOM.

The Independence of his country secured--he desired no occupation but that of his profession. For a time his services were diverted from this channel in the Convention of his state to take into consideration the adoption of the Federal Const.i.tution. Having carefully read the published arguments as they progressed in the National Convention, he was fully prepared to enter warmly into the advocacy of the adoption of that instrument. When this was adopted by the states, the measure of his political ambition was filled and hermetically sealed. He retired from that arena of turmoil crowned with the evergreen laurels of fame that will bloom with living freshness until patriotism shall be lost in anarchy and the last vestige of LIBERTY be swept away by the tornado of faction. The only station he ever consented to fill under government subsequently was Cashier of the U. S. Mint.

During the remainder of his life his time and talents were devoted to his profession, the improvement of medical science and the amelioration of the ills of afflicted humanity. In 1789 he was elected Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic. In 1791 he was appointed Professor of the Inst.i.tutes of Medicine and Clinical Practice. In 1806 he was honored with the united Professorships of the Theory and Practice of Physic and Clinical Medicine, the duties of which he ably discharged until sickness and death closed his useful career.

Besides the multiform duties already enumerated he was an efficient member of various benevolent a.s.sociations. He was President of the American a.s.sociation for the Abolition of Slavery--Vice President of the Philadelphia Bible Society--President of the Philadelphia Medical Society--a Vice President of the American Philosophical Society and a member of several other philanthropic inst.i.tutions in this country and in Europe. For many years he was a physician of the Pennsylvania Hospital and did much to promote its prosperity. He was ever anxious to be useful in counsel, influence and action. To soothe the troubled bosom heaving with anguish--to alleviate the suffering patient writhing under pain--to aid the poor and needy sinking under misfortunes--to visit the widow and the fatherless in their distress--afforded Dr. Rush a richer pleasure than to have reached the loftiest pinnacle of political fame--a holier joy than to have been the triumphant chieftain of a conquered world.

Although his duties were onerous and various he arranged his time with such system and order that a harmonious routine was produced. His professional duties, his books, his pen each had their specific time. He wrote numerous literary, moral and philosophical essays--several volumes on medical science among which were his "Medical Inquiries and Observations" and a "History of the Yellow Fever." He spent much time in the investigation of that alarming disease--endeavoring to arrive at the best mode of treatment. In this, as in many other cases of disease--the lancet was his anchor of hope. His theory and practice of medicine have virtually turned a somerset within the last half century in the regular departments of the science--to say nothing of the locust swarms of mycologists who are making awful havoc on the foliage of human life.

During the prevalence of any disease his exertions to arrest its progress and alleviate distress were unremitting. He obeyed the calls of the poor as promptly as those of the rich. He was particularly attentive to those in adverse circ.u.mstances who had employed him when in affluence. He put a veto on sunshine friends by precept and example. A pious and consistent Christian--he often cheered the desponding heart where medicine failed to save the body from the grave. His counsels were full of wisdom and benevolence and saved many a frail bark from shipwreck. His enlivening presence and soul-cheering advice drove despair from many an agonized mind--imparting fresh vigor by administering the elixir of hope and the tonic of fort.i.tude. This is an important talent in a physician--often more potent than any chemical.

Blessed with a vigorous const.i.tution--Dr. Rush was active until a short time previous to the 19th of April 1813, when he rested from his labors and was numbered with the dead. As the news of his death spread, a universal sorrow pervaded all cla.s.ses--funeral sermons were preached--eulogies p.r.o.nounced and processions formed throughout the United States as a just tribute to the memory of the departed sage, patriot, scholar and philanthropist. His goodness had decked his name with the rich garniture of profound esteem.

When the sad tidings reached England and France, the same demonstrations of respect were manifested there. The tears of sympathy suffused many European eyes. In the halls of science on both sides of the Atlantic, Dr. Rush was well known and highly appreciated. By our own country his loss was most keenly felt--by the civilized world deeply lamented. The graves of but few men have been moistened by as many tears from the rich and poor--high and low--as that of Dr. Rush. His fame is based upon substantial merit. His name is engraved in deep and indelible traces on the hearts of our countrymen. His untarnished reputation is written on the monument of history in letters of gold by the pan of justice dipped in the font of grat.i.tude and will endure, unimpaired, until the last trump shall proclaim to the astonished millions on this whirling planet--TIME SHALL BE NO LONGER!!!