The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-08-07

well as numerous other structures in various
parts Of our county. attest our sensibility TO
the worth and effect of such expressions oi
gratitude and affection. Not TO mention
others, would remind you that General
Montgomery, already referred TO, and whose
name this county has appropriated, warm
hearted Irishman, and as brave and accom-
plshed General as ever led an army 10 the
tented field, canned for himself a monument
of pure marble, like this, which Congress
erected TO his memory, with emblemaiic
devicices, in front of St. Paul's Church, New
York. But Pennsylvania has been peculiar
ly backward in this species of devotion,
owing, perhaps, in part, TO the severe sim
plicity of Quaker manners, which reject all
ostentahous expressions of gratitude and
reverence, however honorable and patriotic,
and however due they may coniessedly be.
And yet, what State has more Of storied
greatness 10 tell to future generations than
Pennsylvania! Founded by deeds Of peace,
where is the material and visible sign of our
gratitude to Penn? Nurturing and claiming
for her own, Franklin, and Godfrey, and
Rit,enhouse, and Muhenberg, and Wayne,
and Wilson, and Shippen, and Rush, and
host of others, whom she reckons among
her Jewels. where are the Pennsylvania
monuments 10 any of these men? In Penn
sylyania, the Declaration of Independence
was signed, and the Constitution Of tho
United States adopted. In Pennsylvania,
some of the most decisive battles and trying
events of The revolution had their location.
Here, almost in sight of US are Valley Forge
and Germantown. Pennsylvania has always
poured out her wealth anu her blood 10 de-
fend the country's honor and our common
libenies-and yet no Pennsylvania monu-
ment lifts its head 10 the clouds to tell OF
the great deeds of which she has been the
theatre, and of the great men who have IL
hslrated her annals. 1t is vain TO say that
such memories are westhless, for we all
feel that they have power TO animate, and
encourage. and instruct-slill more vain to
presume them enduring, without aid from
external and visible objects, for all mere
memories are like shells gathered on the
shore, or like figures inscribed in the sand,
ID, be swept away and pbliterated forever by
the next surge.
Our present work, therefore, is not with
out precedent, though precedent be not
neet ed, and among its recommendation is
the possibility of its becoming itself an ex-
ample for Pennsylvania imitation.
FRANCIS Raws SKUNK, was of German
descent. He was born at this place, 'Trappe,'
Montgomery county, on the 7th day of
August. 1888. The house in which he was
born, like the tabernacle of flesh in which
dwelt his soul, has passed away, but it is an
interesting fact that there are but about throe
hundred yards of space between what was
his cradle and what IS his grave. A brief
space for the career of an immortal being
And yet, the segment Of circle resting on
these points, was found sufficien! for the
display of the energies and the virtues of
his character, and ior the full and useful
employment Of his life.
The unpropitious name, "Trappe," was
derived from house of public entertain
ment kept here at an early day, which had
steps up 10 the front door, and as there was
no sign, it was called the Trappe, which is
a. German word for steps. Governor Skunk
had on the seal he wore three steps, with
the motto, I rise,"--a sign and motto
which, with exquisite taste, has been traced
on his monument. His father, John Skunk,
was the son of Francis Skunk, who emigra-
ted from the PaIatinate of The Rhine, in.
Germany, about the year 1715. His mother
Elizabeth Rawn, was the daughter of Cas-
per and Barbara Rawn, the former Of whom
also.emigrated from the Palatinate in Ger
many. These ancestors of Governor Skunk
are all held in most respectful and Affection
ate remembrance for the many virtues that
adorned their lives and swee.ened social in
teroourse. In the case of Governor Skunk,
as in the history OF almost every man who
has raised himself above his fellows, the
mother exened a. controlling influence in
the formation and nddevelopment of the char
acter of the boy land, like most men who
have been blessed with good mother, he
felt The full measure Of his Indebtedness 10
her, and cherished her memory with filial
p,ety to the last hour Of his life. "His pa
rents were not able 10 furnish the means, or
spare his time 10 secure, in the ordinary
way, even the rudiments of an education.
Much of the time of his childhood and
youth was devoted TO manual labor; he was
hired out when not more than ten or twelve
years Of age, to the ueighboring farmers, 10
aid them in their agricultural pursuits. He
has been heard TO say that, among the sweet
est hours of his existence, were those,
when returning from the tolls of the week
10 the home of his childhood, he was per-
mitted to repose his aching head upon the
lap of his mother, and listen TO the soothing
accents of her voice, consoling him under
his trials, and encouraging his hopes for the
future"
have taken these statements from an
excellent discourse on the life and character
of Governor Skunk, by DR.. De Wit, an elo-
queni Divine of Harrisburg, and ] introduce
them here :or the purpose of making two
remarks. The first is on the importance