The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-07-08

to preside over the Constitutional Congress- |
He accepted this appointment with diff
dence, there being many of its number
much his senior, and of eminent talents.
He however succeeded in discharging the
arduous duties assigned him with fidelity
and great ability, to the satisfaction of his
colleagues and his country.
His was the only name affixed to the
Declaration Of independence, when it was
first published and presented to the gazing
patriots for their approval; and it stands first
in relieve, on thousand fac SMILES, scat
tered through the world. 1t stands at the
head Of list of sages, whose names are
enrolled in unfading glory, and will be hand
ed down to the remotest ages of time, un-
sullied and untarnshed.
Impaired in his health and worn down
| by fatigue, Mr.. Hancock resi- igned his
station in Congress in October, l777, having
presided over that august body for two
years and d half, with credit to himself,
gratifying to his friends and advantageous
to the cause ofhuman rights.
Soon after he returned home, he was
elected to convention of his native state,
to form constitution for its government
His experience and talents were of great
service in producing truly republican in
strument. In 1880, he was elected the
first governor under the new constitution,
and continued to fill the gubernatorial chair
for five years, he was again elected, and
continued to fill that station, with dignity
and usefulness, during the remainder of his
life. During his administration over the
destinies of his dear native state, there were
many difficulties to overcome, many evils
to suppress. The devastations of the war
had paralized every kind ofbusiness; reduc-
ed thousands from affluence to poverty;
polluted the morals of society; and left a
heavy debt for them TO Iiquidate. Many
conflicting interests were to be subdued;
and many visionary theories were to be ex-
ploded. Insubordination, arrayed in a
faction of 10000 men, threatening to an
nihilate the government, was the most pro-
minent evil to be subdued. Abuses and RI
OTIS were disregarded; and it was found ne
cessary to call out the militia to preserve
order. By the prudent management of
Governor Hancock, these difficulties were
adjusted, the clamor of the people hushed,
their complaints silenced, order restored,
and but few lives sacrificed at the shrine of
treason.
For time, the Governor, by his firm
and determined course, incurred the dis
pleasure and enmity of many prominent
men; and when reason resumed her station,
and prosperity began to alleviate the bur-
dens that had been so strongly felt, their
ire was appeased, the sour feelings of party
split lost their rancor, and admiration and
esteem for his sterling virtues and talents,
and the long and arduous services he had
rendered his country and his state, disarm-
ed his enemies of their resentment, and
produced uniform love and esteem.
He used his best exertions in favor of the
adoption of the federal constitution, and to
cap the climax Of his we'll earned fame, he
left sick bed on the last week of the ses-
sion of the Assembly of his State, and, by
his vote and influence, induced them to ac-
cept and sanction that important instrument
of confederation, that has thus far held us
in the bonds of union, strength and pow
er.
Governor Hancock now had the satsfae-
ton of seeing prosperity spread its benign
influence over the whole infant republic,
& her institutions, laws, trade, manufactures,
commerce and agriculture, based on the
firm pillars of freedom and eternal justice.
His long nursed vision was reduced to a
happy reality; he felt that he could die in
peace; and, on the 9Th of October, 1893,
his spirit took its flight suddenly and unex-
pectedly, to join the kindred spirits that
had gone before, to enter upon the retired
sranes Of the atarnal uyorlJ IL oo..:.,,.J i