The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-05
THE LATE SENATOR KENT.

THE LATE SENATOR KENT.
The following sketch of the life Of the late DR..
JOSEPH KENT, whose melancholy and sudden, death
we announced in postscript TO our last number,
will it is believed, be interesting TO many of our
readers who had not the happiness Of personally
knowing him.
The career of the deceased offers an encouraging
lesson TO his young counlrymen, teaching them how
men of strong mind and virtuous resolutions may
be elevated 10 trusts of high honor and usefulness
without those dazzling qualities which are by too
many regarded as Indispensable to success in public
life. s
Dr. KENT was born on the 18th of January, l779,
in Calvert county in the State which he SO faithfully
represented al the time OF his death.
His parents were of the first responsibility pos
sessing an estate which afforded the means Of indu
ging disposition for hospitality and kindness, in
degree which remarkable even where these vir-
tues could at that time be said to characterize sin
cere and unsophisticated people, His education Is
| understood to have been limited, like that which is
usually acquired at country grammar schools. From
one Of these in the immediate neighborhood Of his
excellent parents, he passed at the age of fifteen to
the study of Medicine, and qualified himself to com
mence the practice OF that arduous and responsible
profession at the age of twenty.
In May 1893, he became professionally associated
with Doctor PARRAN, Of Lower Marlborough, and
SO continued until 1901, when misunderstanding
| taking place between them, in consequence Of the
jealous and very efficient part taken by DR.. KENT
in favor of the Republican party, In the warm poi
cal contest which agitaed the whole country at that
period, the partnership was dissolved So deter
mined was the younger partner in his political
principles that young as he was, he took very
decided stand against his associate, and another
highly respected friend, who had offered candi-
dates for Electors of the Senate, in September 1901
and during his remaining residence in Calvert coun
ty, he continued to take an active part in the pot
cal conflicts of the day, characterized as they then
were, by more of manly earnestness and candor and
Nf ttsvIn oy,I
| of purpose, on all Sides than at some subsequent
periods Yet he did not cease TO pursue, with faith
full industry and with high reputation his proper
profession resisting the frequent and urgent solicit
taons of his fellow-citizens to become candidate
for the State Legislature.
In 1902 death deprived him and numerous family
of Father respected through life for his integrity
and manly virtues; and on the subject ofhs imper-
feet notice, he being the eldest child devoved the
duty of aiding his exemplary mother in the manage
ment of the estate at that time very good one He
became the sole executor, and, to his honor be if
mentioned, refused not only all fees and commits
sons but declined receiving any part Of the real or
personal property left by his father.
In 1906, he removed to his late residence, Rose
mount, in Prince Georges County.
There he continued as before, to combine a sue
cessful prosecution of his profession with his agr
cultural operations from which he accumulated the
| rich avails OF sagacious management and indefat-
gable industry. twas not long after his removal to
Prince Georges before he was prompted BY the de-
mands of his elloW-citZens and sense OF duty, TO
take an active part in the political discussions which
had now become more general and excited and in
1910 he was elected member of the Twelfth Con-
gress, which assembled on the. first Monday of
November, 1911 During that eventful session, on
the recommendation of the iustrious MADISON, war
was declared against Great Britain Mr.. KENT voting
in favor OF the measure, well as for all the subSe
quent acts of legislation, deemed necessary to its
successful prosecution
In Congress, he spoke but seldom, but always with
discretion and effect always commanding respectful
attention for the soundness of his views and the OBJ
vious candour with which they were delivered.
These were given with a freedom void of asperity
towards his opponents in respect of the war; and the
causes which led us TO proclaim it, well in
gard to the manner in which it should be prosecuted
especially in speech which he delivered in the
House Of Representatives on the 18th of February,
1913. He was then reelected to the Thirteenth
Congress, and served to the conclusion of the war
To the Fourteenth Congress he was not elected,
though candidate, owing, as it may be said, partly
to change of opinion at that time among the people
some great questions of public policy, and, in a
degree, as il was maintained by his political asso-
ciates and supporters to the number of friendly
voters, absent at the time Q8lD on militia duty at
Baltimore.
During the session before the last his health was
precarious, being in fact i'll part of the time. He
delivered his sentiments on the question of the remo
val of the deposites concisely, but with force, in
speech which was well received though made under
disadyantageous circumstances He was the author
OF resolution of importance, and which is pro-
badly destined to be revived, to amend the Constu-
ton in manner TO curtail the Executive power in
respect to the veto privilege; but such the pecu
liar character of the session as to prevent its being
finally acted upon, His speech, delivered on that
question: and now on record is full of sound consti
tutiona doctrine
From 1908 to 1925 he filed the various appoint
mens under the State authorities of Surgeons Mate
and Surgeon, of Major, Lieut. Colonel, and Colonel
of Cavalry and presided at the first public meeting
concerning the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, assem-
bled at Washington, serving Director of that
great enterprise until he declined reelection.
Those who have most intimately known the la |
mented deceased have observed that in the midst of
his various engagements, his favorite pursuit was
ever that OF an agriculturis; in which he was emf
neny successful increasing his estates in fertility
and dimensions, notwithstanding the time and devo-
ton given to public concerns. and affairs Of public
Duty which no temptation of private interest could
ever lead him to neglect.
In 1856 he served session in the Senate of Ma
ryland and in November of the latter year was |
elected Elecor of President and Vice President In
1877 he was again elected without opposition to Con-
gress, where he continued, always attentive and
useful member, until December, 1885, when he was |
chosen Governor of his native State On reaching |
Annapolis he undertook TO reform the too careless
manner in which the Executive duties had been
sometimes discharged; and his measures resulted in
that order and regularity essential to the despatch
of business His arrangement to meet for business |
on The hrst Monday of every month"; in the recess of
the Legislature, has been found highly useful and
acceptable and convenient to the people.
In what estimation his services were held in this
to him new, and in ITSELF important station, may be
judged by the very favorable manner in which his
administration at its close was noticed by the public
journals well as by the fact that the members o..
the Legislature gave him, at the expiration of his
term public entertainment, in token of their con- |
fdence and esteem. The proceedings on that occa-
sion and the sentiments elected by it, may be found
the journals of the day. and bear conclusive tes-
tmony to the virtue and the services of the and
the magistrate
In 1880, to prevent his nomination, our much-la-
mented friend declared by letter to the Convention