Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution Part 25

The private character of this great and good man was as unsullied and pure as his career was brilliant and useful. His heart overflowed with the milk of human kindness--his benevolence often carried him beyond his professional income. He was temperate in his habits--neat in his person and dress--social and gentlemanly in his intercourse--urbane and courteous in his manners--interesting and instructive in his conversation--modest and una.s.suming in his deportment. He was a warm and affectionate companion--the widows' friend and the orphans' father.

He was a little above the middle height--rather slender but a good figure. His mouth and chin were well formed--his nose aquiline--his eyes blue and animated--his forehead high and prominent. The diameter of his head from back to front was unusually large. His combined features were commanding and prepossessing, his physiognomy indicating a gigantic intellect.

When attacked by the disease which terminated his life he was aware a rapid dissolution awaited him. He was fully prepared to enter upon the untried scenes of the other and brighter world. He could look back upon a life well spent. He had run a n.o.ble race--was ready to finish his course--resign his tabernacle of clay to its mother dust--his immortal soul to Him who gave it.

In the history of this great and good man we see nothing to censure but much to admire. To be useful and do all the good in his power was his constant aim. No blanks appear on the record for the apologist to fill up. But few men have performed as much--no one performed more in the same time. If such examples as his, spread out in bold _relievo_ on the historic page, will not exercise a salutary influence on the reader--if his devotion to his country--benevolence and unsurpa.s.sed virtues do not mellow your heart--you cannot be a patriot or a philanthropist--you do not realize the priceless value of our UNION.

EDWARD RUTLEDGE.

The name of every patriot, sage and hero who aided in gaining the Liberty we now enjoy, is repeated with veneration and respect. But a few of those n.o.ble spirits who breasted the storm of the Revolution are lingering on earth. All who were prominent leaders have paid the debt of nature and gone to their permanent and final home. A particular veneration is felt for those whose names are enrolled on that bold and soul-stirring production--the Declaration of Independence. Their names, with many others, will glide down the stream of time on the peaceful waves of admiration and grat.i.tude until merged in the consummation of this whirling planet--"the wreck of matter and the crush of worlds."

Among the names of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, is that of Edward Rutledge, born in Charleston S. C. in November 1749. He was the son of Dr. Rutledge, a native of Ireland, who married Sarah West, a lady of refined accomplishments, piety and good sense.

Edward lost his father at an early age and like those of many great and good men, his mind was happily moulded by his accomplished mother. After pa.s.sing through the usual routine of an education he commenced the study of law with an elder brother who stood high at the Charleston bar. As a relaxation from c.o.ke and Bacon he occasionally entered the bowers of elocution. In 1769 he went to England, became a student at the temple--made himself familiar with the courts, rules of parliament, the policy, designs and feelings of the British ministry and cultivated an acquaintance with the celebrated orators and statesmen--Chatham, Mansfield and others. He returned in 1773, richly laden with stock for future use.

He commenced a successful practice--uniting an expressive countenance, a good voice, a rich imagination, elegance of action, an honorable mind and a good heart--with strong native talent improved by superior advantages and great industry. He soon acquired a well earned eminence as a bold, discreet and able advocate. He was ever ready--the spur of the moment made him shine most conspicuously. His lamp was always trimmed and burning. With true Irish zeal he was always ready to enter the arena where duty called--especially if it was to defend the weak--aid the oppressed or relieve the distressed.

It was self-evident that with a soul and talents like his, he could not remain an idle spectator of the elements of revolution that were in motion. He was the kind of man to rouse the popular fury when circ.u.mstances would justify and required it. Warm-hearted, zealous, bold and daring--he was a necessary part in the political machine of that time to put the more sluggish parts in motion. He was an admirable fireman, a safe engineer, a good pilot and a popular captain. Liberal in his views, republican in his principles, a stickler for equal rights--he was among the first to strike for Liberty.

He was elected a member of the first Congress in 1774. None but men of superior merit, known fort.i.tude and pure patriotism were selected to represent their country's rights and repel the wrongs of monarchy. Such a man was Mr. Rutledge. His open frankness and bold exposure of the corruptions of the British ministry--preying upon the Colonies like canker worms, rendered him obnoxious to the adherents of the crown--the very thing to rouse such a man to determined action. Opposition seemed to kindle in his manly bosom a brighter flame of patriotic fire which he imparted to the friends of freedom without stint or measure.

With his ardor and zeal he united prudence and discretion--was a friend to order and cool deliberation. He acted from enlightened principles--aiming to build every superstructure on the firm basis of reason and justice. To this n.o.bleness of design--conceived and adhered to by all the signers of the Declaration, may be attributed that lofty dignity which pervades that unique doc.u.ment.

Revolution is a tornado rarely chastened by prudence or discretion to neutralize its baneful effects. Up to the time of the American Revolution history claims no body of men to compare with those who const.i.tuted the Continental Congress--men who commanded the whirlwind of pa.s.sion to stay its fury--who conducted the lightning of revenge by the silken thread of reason to the goal of deliberation.

Mr. Rutledge was made a member of several important committees. He was appointed, in conjunction with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to meet Lord Howe when he came to offer terms of ministerial peace. They were received with marked attention and respect by the royal messenger. He only had power to pardon repenting rebels--these were not to be found.

His insulting proposition was repelled with indignation. The committee disclaimed all allegiance to the crown--it had been sacrificed at the shrine of an ambitious and oppressive ministry. FREEDOM was their motto--LIBERTY their watchword--their terms--INDEPENDENCE OR DEATH. They had n.o.bly resolved "to do or die."

As a sound, judicious and able statesman, Mr. Rutledge was highly appreciated. He had also earned laurels in the battle field. He had long commanded a company in the ancient battalion of artillery. When the British landed at Port Royal in 1779, he led his company to the attack with the skill and courage of a veteran. At no Revolutionary battle was more personal bravery displayed than at this--nor was the enemy at any time more chagrined at a total defeat by raw militia. It was a mystery to them to find in the same man the statesman and the hero. He was subsequently elected colonel. During the investment of Charleston on 1780, he was again on military duty--taken prisoner--sent to St.

Augustine and was not exchanged for nearly a year. Before his return the dark clouds began to recede before the rays of rising hope and the day star of Liberty.

He returned to his native state and aided in restoring the civil government to order and systematic arrangement He was a member of the enraged a.s.sembly at Jacksonborough in 1782. With his recent personal injuries pressing upon him and those of his friends bleeding fresh before him, he was induced to sanction the bill of pains and penalties, which, under other circ.u.mstances he would have opposed. During the time it remained in force he smoothed its roughness as much as possible.

Among those who had been tortured by persecution was his venerable mother who had been taken from her quiet home in the country and confined in Charleston then occupied by the British--because she was the mother of one of the rebels who had signed that burning instrument--the Declaration of Independence--a high compliment to her talents and patriotism--placing her on the list of fame with the n.o.ble matrons of Greece and Rome.

During the entire period of the unequal struggle with Great Britain, Mr.

Rutledge rendered all the aid in his power to his injured country. At the final termination of hostilities--in a free land and with a free heart he returned to the bosom of his friends and the labors of his profession. His private worth, urbanity of manners and persevering industry in business, gained for him the confidence and esteem of community.

In the organization of the government of the state he took a conspicuous and useful part. Many difficulties were to be surmounted--clashing local interests reconciled and laws adopted to restore to order and harmonious system the confusion consequent upon a change of government. A great commotion existed between debtors and creditors. Specie was not to be had--the paper currency was nearly annihilated--many who had periled life for Liberty and shaken off the foreign yoke felt that they were again in cruel bondage. Many avaricious creditors were as dest.i.tute of mercy as the pirate is of compa.s.sion. Such bipeds still live, move and have a being--but thanks to the philanthropy and good sense of our legislatures, they are disarmed in many of the states from the most barbarous feature of their power--that of thrusting a poor debtor into prison for the crime of poverty. I am pained to own that there are instances on record in our country where veterans, who bled for our boasted freedom, have been incarcerated by the cold inquisitorial creditor for a sum so trifling that the miser would blush to name it.

As a panacea for this malady a law was pa.s.sed making land a lawful tender for debts--a law purely republican but obnoxious to avarice and aristocracy. Mr. Rutledge did much to effect the adoption of this measure, imperiously demanded by the then existing circ.u.mstances of the community. He also advocated the instalment law and used his best exertions to ameliorate the condition of the poor and do justice to the rich by salutary and humane legislation. He took an active part in the public business generally. When the Federal Const.i.tution was presented to his state for consideration he was in favor of its adoption although it contained some objectionable features in his mind. He was always opposed to slavery deeming it a national curse entailed by England.

If slavery did not exist in the South and the people knew its evils as _they_ only can know and feel them, a very large majority would oppose its introduction. I have recently travelled in most of the southern states and speak from the record. Two-fifths of the white population of those states do not own a slave. The inst.i.tution is one of a domestic nature to be governed and regulated by themselves. But for the unfortunate interference of our northern brethren, many, but not _all_ of them prompted by philanthropic motives, gradual emanc.i.p.ation would have commenced years ago and left no food for demagogues and disorganizers to gorge themselves upon. Should the South interfere with any of the domestic concerns of the North, resistance would be instantaneous. I am no advocate of slavery--but understanding its origin, progress, present condition and practical operation and the feelings of the South--I repeat, that the interference of the North is a misfortune to the slave and the peace of our common country. But for this, four of the slave states would now be free. This Bohun Upas was dying a natural death--digging around it has renewed its age fifty years. The plan was conceived and put in operation by England through her emissary Dr. Thompson, as a _dernier_ resort to destroy the only republic hated and feared by the crowned heads of Europe. Let the South alone to correct their own evils. Let the subject be consigned to the capulet tombs rather than it should for a moment disturb the harmony of our glorious UNION. To the slave--sudden emanc.i.p.ation would be an irreparable injury. The question is one of _fact_ rather than _law_--of imperious expediency rather than abstract reasoning. The slaves of the South are better bred, fed and clothed and more intelligent than the great majority of free negroes in free states.

Although partial to the French, when difficulties arose between that nation and England, Mr. Rutledge strongly censured the conduct of M.

Genet and the French Directory for the stringent measures adopted. He was a moderate--not an ultra party man and always acted from a sense of duty and a pure desire for the good of the whole. His was a stern unflinching moderation--calculated to awe a mob, paralyze a faction and preserve pure and undefiled that lofty patriotism which commands esteem and respect and leads to peace and safety.

In 1798 Mr. Rutledge was elected governor of his native state. Soon after he entered upon the imposing duties of his office, disease suddenly seized and handed him over to the King of Terrors in the bright career of his gubernatorial term. During the legislative session of 1800, his health failed so rapidly that he felt a full a.s.surance that his dissolution was fast approaching. He was anxious to return to Charleston that he might yield up his breath where he first inhaled the atmosphere. The const.i.tution required the presence of the governor during the session of that body and so scrupulous was he to fulfil its letter, that he determined to remain unless both branches pa.s.sed a resolution sanctioning his absence. The subject was submitted and becoming a matter of debate he at once withdrew it and remained until the adjournment. He was barely able to reach home when he laid down upon the sick bed and yielded to the only power that could conquer him--Death--on the 23d of January 1800. The same fort.i.tude that had characterized his whole life was fully exemplified during his illness and dying hour. His loss was keenly felt and deeply mourned by the entire community of the state and by the friends of freedom throughout the nation. South Carolina had lost one of her brightest ornaments--one of her n.o.blest sons.

Governor Rutledge stood high as an orator. He was familiar with the machinery of human nature--knew when to address the judgment and when the pa.s.sions. In exciting the sympathy of a jury he had no equal at the Charleston Bar. He knew how, when and where to be logical and what is all important in public and private life--he knew how, when and where to speak and what to say and stopped when done. His private worth and public services were an honor to himself, gratifying to his friends and beneficial to his country. His usefulness continued to the close of life--his fame is untarnished with error--his examples are worthy of imitation--his life had no blank. He married for his first wife, Harriet, daughter of Edward Middleton his colleague in the Continental Congress. By her he had a son and daughter--the latter settled in Charleston--the former, Maj. Henry M. Rutledge, was one of the pioneers of Tennessee. G.o.d grant that his descendants may imitate the virtues of their ancestor and fill the blank occasioned by the death of the wise, judicious, benevolent, patriotic and high-minded EDWARD RUTLEDGE.

ROGER SHERMAN.

The man who has been rocked in the cradle of letters from his childhood--who has become familiar with general science, the cla.s.sics and the philosophy of the schools--who has had a wealthy father to aid and doting mother to caress--who has enjoyed an uninterrupted course in some far-famed college and the most refined society--such a man is expected to mount the ladder of fame and become a shining light to those whose advantages have been limited to a primary school or no school. If, with all these advantages lavished upon him he sinks into obscurity, the fond antic.i.p.ations of his doting parents and anxious friends set in gloom. Such has often been the case.

When we see a man whose opportunities of acquiring an education during childhood and youth carried him not far beyond the spelling-book--a man who had no father to aid him by wealth--warn him against the quicksands of error or point him to the temple of science--his intellect encased in the rude quarry of nature at the age of twenty--when we see such a man bursting the fetters that bind his mental powers-throwing off the dark mantle of ignorance--by a mighty effort unveiling his dormant talents and shining in all the beauty of intelligence and greatness, we are filled with admiration and delight.

Such a man was Roger Sherman, the great grandson of Capt. John Sherman, who came from England to Watertown, Ma.s.s, in 1635. Roger was the son of William Sherman, born in Newton, Ma.s.s. on the 19th of April 1721. His father was a respectable farmer with means too limited to educate his son and bound him an apprentice to a shoemaker. At the age of nineteen he left his master to seek his fortune. His genius had become restless in embryo and pressed for enlargement. No shop could confine--no obstacle deter, no impediment prevent its expansion. The course of his mind was onward and upward like a blazing star, illuminating the horizon of his intellect as it rose. Nature designed him to be great and good--he obeyed her kind commands.

He went to New Milford, Conn. where he followed his trade for three years, devoting every leisure moment to his books, often having one open before him when using his lap-stone. Every obstacle to the pursuit of knowledge was removed by his untiring industry--he ascended the hill of science with a steady pace. He lived within the strictest rules of economy, appropriating a part of his earnings to the support of a widowed mother with a family of small children. The education of these children also received his attention.

In June 1743 he removed his mother and children to New Milford ad entered into the mercantile business, still improving every leisure hour in the acquisition of an education. He rapidly stored his mind with a fund of useful information that ultimately enabled him to commence a public career of usefulness. He also became a member of the church and adorned his profession through life. In 1745 he was appointed surveyor of Litchfield County, having mastered mathematics. Like his cotemporary and friend Benjamin Franklin, he made the calculation for an almanac for several years for a publisher in New York.

At the age of twenty-eight he married Elizabeth Hartwell of Staughton, Ma.s.s. who died in 1780 leaving seven children. He subsequently married Rebecca Prescott who had eight children. His fifteen children were carefully trained in the paths of wisdom and virtue. He also supported his mother and a maiden sister until death relieved them from the toils of life.

In the prosecution of his literary pursuits he turned his attention to the study of law in which he made astonishing proficiency. In 1754 he was admitted to the bar, better prepared to enter into this arduous profession and do justice to his clients than many who are ushered into notice with great _eclat_ under the high floating banner of a collegiate diploma.

The following year he was elected a member of the colonial a.s.sembly and remained in that body during the remainder of his residence at New Milford. He had the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens which enabled him to exercise a salutary influence upon those around him. His reputation as a lawyer and statesman stood high. For industry, prudence, discretion and sound logic--he was unrivalled in the Colony. Strong common sense, the safety valve of human action, marked his whole career.

He was a philanthropist of the highest order--a patriot of the first water--rendering himself substantially useful to his fellow men and common country.

In 1759 he was appointed a judge of the county court of Litchfield, discharging his duties with great faithfulness and impartiality--correcting vice and promoting virtue.

In 1761 he removed to New Haven where he was appointed justice of the peace--elected to the a.s.sembly and in 1765 was placed upon the judicial bench of the county court. He received the degree of Master of Arts from Yale College, of which he was treasurer for many years, fulfilling the trust with scrupulous honesty and fidelity.

In 1766 he was elected to the Executive Council which was hailed as an auspicious event by the friends of liberal principles. The mother country had manifested a disposition to impose unjust taxation upon the Colonies. It required discretion, experience, nerve and decision to comprehend and expose the corrupt plans of an avaricious and reckless ministry. The Colonies had borne the great burden of the French war in which they had sacrificed large sums of money and fountains of their richest blood. After years of incessant toil the foe had been conquered--an honorable peace obtained for England--the frontier settlements measurably relieved from danger and the soldier had again become the citizen. Whilst their rejoicings on that occasion were yet on the lips of echo, oppression from the crown threatened to blast their fond antic.i.p.ations of happiness and repose and bind them in chains more to be dreaded than the tomahawk and scalping knife.

His Colony had furnished more money and men and lost more of her brave sons in the French war than any other with the same population. Mr.

Sherman had been an active member of the a.s.sembly during the period of its prosecution and remembered well the sacrifices that had been made to oblige the king. He understood well the rights of his own country and those of the crown. He was eminently prepared to discover approaching danger and sound a timely alarm. He was fully competent to probe the intrigues and venality of designing men although the broad Atlantic rolled between him and them.

Mr. Grenville was the master spirit of the British ministry. He determined to put in practice his long cherished theory of taxing the American Colonies. The alarm was soon spread from the north to the south. Appeals for redress, pet.i.tions and remonstrances, numerously signed, were forwarded to Parliament. These were pa.s.sed by like the idle wind. Reason, justice, mercy--all were banished from the bosoms of the ruling power. The rack of oppression was put in motion--screw after screw was turned--the sinews of affection for the mother country began to snap--the purple current rushed from its fountain with increased velocity--indignation was roused in millions of bosoms. In humble imitation of the ancient inquisitors, the screws of the infernal machine were relaxed to give the subjects a confessing respite. The tax upon gla.s.s, paper, &c. was repealed. But the main screw was not turned back.

The tax on tea was still enforced. This exception was death to the colonial power of England--to America--FREEDOM. The indignation of woman was roused. Her high toned chords were touched--the reverberation electrified the ma.s.s as with vivid lightning. Tea was banished by every female patriot and with it all British luxuries and taxed articles.

Mr. Sherman remained undaunted at his post calmly watching the moving elements. Although elevated to the bench of the Superior Court he remained in the Executive Council, a firm and consistent advocate of his country's rights--a bold expounder of Britain's wrongs. He viewed the gathering clouds as they rolled up from the horizon--he saw the streams of lurid fire with which they were charged and calmly waited the crash of thunder that should usher on the terrific storm. The British lion prowled in anger--the Albion Goliah buckled on his armor--the shining steel dazzled in the sun--American blood flowed--popular fury was roused--the sword of vengeance was drawn--allegiance was dissolved--the Colonies were FREE.

Judge Sherman was a member of the first Continental Congress and remained firm and unwavering at his post during the heart rending scenes of the Revolution, the formation of the new government and the adoption of the Federal Const.i.tution. With a mind of iron strength enlarged and improved by close study--inured to the toils and intricacies of legislation--the history of his country and of nations stamped upon his memory--the ingrat.i.tude and insults of a foreign ministry preying upon his soul--all these combined to press him onward to deeds of n.o.ble daring. His capacity was equal to every emergency. He omitted no duty, moving, with the mathematical precision of a planet, within the orbit of sound discretion. He was familiar with all the avenues of men and things--scanned the deep recesses of human nature--traced causes and results to their source and probed to the bottom the springs of human action. The arcana of economies was open before him--solving problems, demonstrating principles and placing them in the full blaze of ill.u.s.tration--clear as light, intelligible as Euclid--irresistible as truth. Youth and young mechanics of our country such was the self-taught self-made Roger Sherman. Read the history of his life closely. Ponder it well and firmly resolve to make him your model.

The Congressional session of 1775 was one of great labor, anxiety and embarra.s.sment. It required veterans in patriotism to sustain the tremendous shock, the fearful onset. An army was to be raised and organized, military stores provided, fortifications erected, rules of government adopted, plans of operation matured, internal foes to be encountered and legions of hireling soldiers to be repelled. To meet these pressing emergencies the members of Congress had hearts full of courage but an empty treasury. A forlorn hope was before them--a merciless foe on their sh.o.r.es. The torch of hope shed but a dim light.

In the name of high Heaven they resolved on _Liberty or Death_. Nor did they "split on the rock of resolves and re-resolves, where thousands live and die the same." They met the fury of the king with a firmness, wisdom and patriotism before unknown. Their course was onward towards the goal of FREEDOM. No threats of vengeance dismayed them--the shafts of terror fell harmless at their feet--the vials of ministerial wrath were poured out in vain.

In 1776, the Colonies bleeding, reverses rolling frightfully upon them, a conquering army sweeping over their land like a tornado, the streams red with the blood of their kinsmen--the cries of widows and orphans ringing in their ears, the sky illumined with the curling flames of their towns--this band of patriots conceived the bold and sublime plan of INDEPENDENCE--a plan that wreathed its projectors with laurels of unfading freshness.

Early in the summer Messrs. Sherman, John Adams, Franklin, Livingston and Jefferson were appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of Rights. It was prepared with much deliberation--reported and on the memorable 4th of July 1776 received the hearty sanction of the Continental Congress amidst the transporting joys of FREEMEN who hailed it as the bright morning star--to them a prelude to future bliss--to tyrants, a blazing meteor of devouring fire.