New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-07-04

one OF two other delegates whose hearts were reay
in the work But it must be remembered taat ooh-
gress was mainly composed Of men who were honest
in their action and were to be depended upon aitcr
they had been convinced. Like all bodies gathered
to meet the emergencies of revolutionary tes' anu
which do hardly more than register the opinion anu
the determination of the people, Congress was
mainly guided by few brilliant men Oh spec'ai
capacity for public aftairs 1t must not De ihle'ie
however that the delegates were as a rule nieh vi
mediocrity. good many of them who nave shppcu
out Of public memory were notable Ill 'heir u"S anu
generation.
The first delegate who affixed his signature IN
August 1776, was JOSIAH Bartlett of New-iiamp-
shire, physician. Hancock, whose bold autograph
has commanded the admiration OF century, was
merchant of considerable wealth. lie was iona OF
show and expense and was not specially remarkable
for intellectual ability. His fidelity to the
patriot cause. however, was never doubted
Paine and Gerry of Massachusetts were men
who would have made more distinguished
figure if they had not been the colleagues
of the Adamses. The only signature showing signs
of tremor is that of Stephen Hopkins OF Rhode
Island, who was afflicted By palsy lie was, though
Quaker one of the boldeSt members, 1t Is recorded
of the Congress. Roger Sherman of Connecticut III
early life had been shoemaker, but by hard STUDY
he had become an excellent lawyer. Huntington
his colleague, was also what is called seii-ihiue
man. Lewis Morris of Ncw-York is to be rc1nem-
bered as one who, born i'll aiiuent circumstances
saw rs the result of his patriotic devotion I" his
house ruined, his cattle carried off, and his family
driven into exile" Stockton of New-Jerscy was also
very wealthy n sergeant-at-law, and one who during
visit TO England had been treated with tlatterns
distinction. and even honored by the personal re-
gard of the King He at first doubted the expe-
depcy of the Declaration, but his mind was
changed by the arguments of John Adams He was
for some time military prisoner and treated with
great severity At the end of the war he was ruined
both in fortune and health Withcrspoon OF New
jersey a native of Scotland was President OF
Princeton College and of high reputation III 90
Scotch Church Francis Hopkinson OF New-Jerscy
was the poet and the wit Of the Congress, and as
Battle of the Kcgsn is still preserved and admired
John Hart of Ncw-Jcrsey is remembered among the
signrrs rs one who died during the Goomest period
of the War of Independence. Morris of Pcnnsylya-
MIA is entitled to honorable mention for the sacrifice
of hia future in the cause of the colonies; he died
broken-spirited and impoverished man. Rush OF
Pennsylvania was aftcrward the phys.cap-senera!
of the military hospitals and his scientific rcputa-
ton remains excellent. During his life no gave
medical instruction to more than two thousand pG-
pills Ii was Morton of Pennsylvania who gave the
casting vote of that state i'll favor OF independence
Clymer of Pennsylvania was ono OF the projectors
Of the Academy of Arts and Sciences of Phuadcl-
mia and its first President; and he was also Of
the founders Of the Philadelphia Agricultural So
ciety. Smith Of Pennsylvania is remembered as one
who never permitted any person to speak with levty
of Christian in his presence. George Taylo OF
Iris
also of that province, Scotch Chase of MsSy-
land. one of the youngest delegates, had been
patriot from his boyhood. and when only 20
years Old had distinguished himself in the Proyin-
cial Assembly. Stone Of Maryland is spoken Of ~
one Of the workers in Congcss-unobtrrsiv and
an excellent committeeman. Charles Carroll of
Maryland was Roman Catholic, and educated ~
the celebrated Jesuit College Of 81. OmcrS. He
survived al the other sigucTs, dying AZ Baltimore
in 1882, in the Goth year Of his age. Richard
Henry Lee of Virginia introduced the preliminary
resolution Of independence. Nelson OF Virginia was
a gentleman OF large fortune, of which he gave
freely to the cause of liberty, and he also raised
corps, which was not however taken into
the service. He succeeded Jefferson as Governor
If Virginia. Francis Lightfoot Lee Of Virginia lad
been thoroughly educated in England. Carter
Braxton Of Virginia admired for the graceful,
flowing, ana PERSUASIVE character OF MS olatoIS'
Hooper of North Carolina was of Massachusetts,
birth and had studied law with James OTIS. Hcwcs
of North Carolina was Of Quaker family in Con-
nccticut, where he was born Rutledge OF South
Carolina was a graduate OF the Inner Temple, Lon
Ion. and so was his colleague, Thomas Hayward,
If. Lynch of South Carolina was trained in The
Elton School, graduated at the University Of Cam
bridgein England, and studied law in Tia. Inner
Tcluple Middleton of South Carolina was an
honor man at the Cambridge Eng University.
Button Gwinnett Of Georgia was Of English birth
and OF arrogant manners. lie lost his life IN duel
in 1777 Hall Of Georgia was Connecticut man.
OF the greatest men OF the Congress-Of Samuel
and John Adams, OF Franklin, and OF Jefferson, 1t
IS unnecessary for us to speak in detail. Their
characters and public services are too well known
to require repetition.
Ii will be seen from this brief summary that the
Congress was composed Of men of remarkable abil-
ity and of exceptional culture. In this respect il
was probably superior to any representative body
which has since dclibcrated in this Republic.
OF the Declaration Of Independence itself, il Is
proper, IN conclusion To ray, that an indictment
Of the English Ministry it is drawn up with
wonderful degree Of accuracy. There is not count
which cannot be fully sustained by the ampest peril
nent evidence 1t would be excellent exercise for
Young students 10 III cld'bc by anu 10
investigate the facts to which each refers. The
Declaration is singularly free from rhetoric, and
even those "glitterng generalitcs" which some
have found there Jefferson was fully impressed
with the importance of precision, and his great OBJ
iect was to make out case against the mother
country which could not be contradicted He meant
to be literally understood when he said; Let
FACTS be submitted ~ a candid world"
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