The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-12-11

on the same field His service in Ameri-
ca, and the friendships and attachments
which he formed, lei him to choose the
new country as his future resideuce. He
sold his commission IN the British army
and returned TO America in lIT2 lie
purchased, 10 1873, an estate in New
York, at Rhinebeck, ON the Hudson, and
married the daughter Of Bober, r. Living
stone When he bought his American
estate aud married into the family Of an
American patriot, the American contest
was even then impending, and he did so
with full understanding Of the duties to
which these steps pledged 'his life, his
fortune and his sacred honor Living
stone, as the reader is aware, was Que of
the immortal names afterward affixed to
the Declaration of Independence.
Montgomery s young bride, with father
in the Continental Congress, and hus-
baud, first in the Provincial Congress, and
afterwards in the army-and both in
mortal presents US in these days of national
security, an instance of what woman
had to encounter a hundred years ago
Their share in the contest was at its
easiest like the position of reserve corps,
who must look oa and wait, but have not
the excitement Of the actual contest to in
spire them. Such post, old soldiers say
requires constancy in courage which even
the brunt Of the battle does not demand.
Women's share in the victory was not sci.
dom to weep for their sad personal loss,
while a people triumphed. And their
share in defeat was often doubly woful
burthen the life of their loved ones lost,
with no compromising circumstances.
So far as instant appreciation by all the
world Of her husbands heroism and worth
could console her, his widow was com.
forted And the widow Of Montgomery
was not only further comforted, but hap
PLY rewarded. She survived her husband
fifty years, and her father nearly ten.
She lived to see her husbands grandest
wishes for his adopted land more than
realized, and to find his name enrolled in
the honored scroll of nations gratitude.
She saw her father entrusted with most
important duties in the new republic and
among TIE unique claims to Immortality
which attach to his record, his was the
honor to administer to George Washington
the official oath at his Inauguration as
First President of the United States.
As we have said the experience of the
widow of General Montgomery was an in
stance of what all patriotic women encoun
tered, and of what many suffered in those
dark days. The story of the distinguished
leaders is that Of those also to whom his
tory gives no prominence. But in family
records aud "reminiscences what "privates"
did and suffered is remembered, as well as
what generals and statesmen accomplished.
Leaders are nothing without followers, aud
though time would fail to speak of all, yet
each has his memory in the circle Of his
own descendants. Therefore is it that the
hearts of the people respond to the call for
Centennial commemoration, that Justice
may be done to the memory of all the
patriots of a hundred years ago. In doing
that justice let us not forget woman's
share--"man must toll and women must
wait"
A Roman Senate thanked general
who, in adversely, "did not despair of the
Republic" A Thanksgiving proclama-
tion of hundred years ago did better
than this. 1t called for thanks to the
Great Director of events that the people,
though destitute, were not cast down, or
wholly without the means of subsistence !;
that their unnatural enemies" were con-
fined within narrow limits, and that the
rights of the people were still preserved
Prayers were invoked for the "whole
British Empire" and for the restoration of
peace. Even yet no official utterance
looked to final separation.