Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-02-04
Original sktttbts.
For The Monmouth Weekly Herald.
LIVES or
Distinguished ~Jerseymen.
BY Henry ward.
VII.
Governor Richard Howell.

A4V #4
It is natural for all men of reflection
and discriminating judgment. to revere
the memories Of those who have been
good rulers over States or nations. And
this seems to be no less than a Christian
duty. While they live, we are bound to
reverence them. so long as they are wor-
thy, and not speak evil of them and
when dead, they leave for all posterity.
an example worthy of being admired aud
initiated. At the same time, we should
not forget, that they were frail and fall.
BILE beings. in many respects, like our
selves. 1t is the province Of the biogra-
pher. like that Of the historian, to in
struct his readers, by a plain and nation
al array Of facts. He should not, there
fore, like the novelist, portray his charac-
tiers IN rich, and often false coloring but
his business is to sketch his subjects, Just
las they were, and leave the reader to
judge Of their merits or defects.
RICHARD HOWELL was not a Jersevman
b. birth. but by adoption but as nv ma
tive State Of Connecticut is proud to
claim Gen. Putnam and DR.. Timothy
Dwight. as having been among her Illus
trious citizens, although they were both
natives Of Massachusetts, so has New
Jersey a right, with equally honest pride.
to enroll the name of Gov. Richard How.
ell among her distinguished worthless.
HeAFas harn lnstka State Of Delaware
in 100. From his early youth, he was
remarkable for his energy and decision of
character. For strength Of mind, clear
ness Of perception, and s~oundness of iudg.
ment, he had few superiors of the same
age. While a mere youth, he made great
progress in the arduous and difficult study
lof Law, and when but twenty-one wears
Of age in 1776. he was appointed to the
command of a regiment raised in New
jersey. for the defence Of that State and
soon acquired the reputation Of a brave
aud skiliful officer, and an excellent dis
ciplinarian. At this trying period of the
Revolution. he did good service for his
country. Not being a chief officer in
command. however, but only the Colonel
of q regiment, his deeds of military PROV.
ess, have been passed over in silence by
our national historians. He held the
/ COlIittldDC VI uio ICgltilCllb lOI lIIGe StIG-
cessiye years ; at the expiration Of which
time, the army was ~remodelIed, prepara-
tory to the Investment Of Yorktown, and
the capture of CORVALLIS, Col. Howell
was either superseded, or resigned his
commission, Il I'm not certain which, at
any rate. we hear no more of his being
connected with the army, after the yeas
1879.
Having laid by the sword, he again
! entered upon the duties Of the legal pro
f%cssion. His success and reputation in
this department we're great beyond the
most sanguiuc anticipation. AS an advo-
cate at The bar. he had few equals, and
no superiors in his day. His eloquence
kwas not less the gift Of Nature, than of a
hiehfy~cultivated intellect. The Leglsla-
ture of New Jersey appointed him Clerk
of the Supreme Court ir 1878 the duties
Of which Office he faithfully and indus.
t%riously performed for a period Of four
teen years.
The people of New Jersey had perfect
confidence in his integrity. They justly
regarded him. not only as an able and
1 lHipdTlidt .IuFtSts Out as dl ctitlGIib pldC
teal statesman, and deep politician. Ac'
cordlngly, in 1898, they elected him. by
an almost unanimous majority, Governor
Of their State. So perfectly satisfied
were his fe!low-citizens of the wisdom
J, and equity of bis administration, that they
reelected him to that high and response
BILE office, until withina year of his death
or for a period Of eight years. He died
in the prime Of life, full Of honoes, ane
with the hope of a blessed immortality
in 1902, at the age Of At years. In hi
ea~rlfersdays, his character was somewha'
iaIIpLddlsi9e, and his temperament arden
and enthusiastic. But in bis ripper years
he had gained complete control over biz
passions, and his subsequent course wa
ever regulated by right reason, and
! solemn conviction Of duty. Truth wa
his pole star. Fem that, he scorned t
deviate and to that he was mainly IN
debted for the remarkable weight. an
dignity Of his character.
r. N6ox1avaua