Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-19

~ j
VA, SUNDAY. JUNE !
ton. here for the frat time he met with
Patrick Henry. Of whom he formed the
highest estimate. and with whom he was
ever afterwards on terms 1T the most inti-
mate friendship. On the 18th OF Juiv,
117l, meeting Of the citizens of Fairfax
county was held. presided over by Wash
ington, whose resolves were drafted by
Mason. This was the first Of the great
State papers drawn by George Mason
which have made bis name famous. Sparks
says of these receives: They constitute
ore of the ablest and most luminous ex-
positions of the points az issue between
Great Britain and the colonies which are
to be found among the public documents
of that period. Embracing the great
principles and facts clothed in nervous
and appropriate style, they arc equally
marked with dignity, irmncss. intelli-
gence. and wisdom" They advocated
nonintercourse with the mother coun-.
try aud the calling OF continental
recommended By the members OF
the House of Burgesses. They were adopt
ed as a basis OF action by the Virginia con-
yention that met IN August, and through
the action OF that body they became the
guide 10 the Continental Congress which
met IN the September following. wash
ingtOn was appointed cOmmander-in-cbietl
of tho Continental army on the 18th OF
June. 1875. and resigned his position as
commanding officer Of several independent
coupanies IN Virginia. One Of these was
the fGriaX-cOunty company. aud wnen
they me; to discuss the election of his sue
ccssor Mason read them most remarka-
bic paper. IN which are found number OF
the doctrines and phrases which after
wards appeared in the Nrginia Bin OF
Rights ard the Declaration of lndepen-
donce. Mason was elected as tho sue
cessor Of Washington in the July conyen-
zion OF l77J, though be bad declined at
first 90 allow his name TO be used st the
election. lie so distin guished himself III
this body that he was urged as one oil
The delegates 10 Congress and his election
was only prevented by his assuring ms
friends that ho could not possibly attend.
Colonel Bland having resigned the posi-
ton because OF feeble health the vacancy
had TO be alled. and the following account
from the pen If Mason hmseit IN letter
10 bis neighho- aud friend. Martin Cock
burn. gives such % striking picture OF
scene ~ Tie convention and OF the indls-
position Of IasOn to Oh public Office that
! cannot fOrbear quoting 10. After having
related his first refusal 90 serve In Con-
gress. and that twenty members voted for
him Notwithstanding he adds. \ day or
two after. upon Colonel BANDS resiena-
tian. "a strong party was formed, at tho
head Of winch we're C0lorel Henry, Mr.. JET
fcrson, and Colonel CarTnetOn. for sending
me 20 the Congress OF all events. LAYING 1t
down O. "a rule that / would not refuse II
ordered by my country. In consequence
of this Just before the ballot ! was pub
hcir called upon IN convention and
Obliged 10 make @ pubic excuse and give
NY reasons for refusal, ia doing which
felt myself more disfres cd than ever 1 was
IN nv life. especially ssh u ! saw tears run
down the Presidents checks
THE BILL OF uCHIs.
Ia the celebrated convention Of May,
1916. in which rgiuia umed independ-
euce. Mason became commanding figure.
he made tho first draft cd tie Virginia
Bill OF Rights and Constitution. which
served as models for the republican ,orms
Of government adopted Dy the other
State-. These great State papers have i'm
mortalzcl the name OF George Mason.
The 1911 OF Rights as statement ot po-
litIcal rights has never been equ4licd IN
the history OF governments. and IS sule-
nor to the celebrated petition of right
drawn Oy Lord Somers upon the accession
of William and Mary, the greatest state
paper OF which England boasts. Miss
Rowland, relying On the statement Of
George Mason that be wrote The first dra.t
OF tn!s PAPER. takes issue with Id
mond Randolph. who states IN o his
tory oil Virginia lett by him IN
manuscript that Patrick Henry sug-
gested the sections which recommended
"a ireQueut recurrence 20 fundamental
principles and which declared religious
liberty and Il divorce OF Church and state.
Randolph served with Mason on the COM
mittee which prepared ana reported the
Bll of Rights, and tlcrc ls nothing lncon-
sI.tent 90 the statements Of the two men,
Tor suggestions might well have been made
bv other members which were afterwards
embodied hy Mason in hls FIRST draft.
After the ORGANIZATION of the state gov
ernmont Mason served several terms III the
Legislature and sustained his high reputa-
ti0n a- "a statesman. re was member on
the Federal convention of 1857 Wlich
framed the United States Constitution.
Miss Rowland has nr9u ht ont very
sfrlkiuCly hrs eminent rvices m that body
and iIs l.ll4r.gE u tlle enc in fri-
meut which was adopted. Believing thar
the Constitution ~ luailr agreed on did
not sufficiently guard the reserved rights
Of the States and Of tue people. u tson
refused 90 sign IT, and Afterwards
in the Virginia convention or l1ss be was
among tie atlost 10 that distinguished
band of patriots, who insisted upon us
being amended before It's adoption by VIZ
giuia.
,rasOSs SrEEcu.
Miss Rowland has given his speeches in
this convention. They are imperiectly r.
ported, 10 is true. but thoy demonstrate
his ability as reasoner and ms wisdom
as statesman. The Virginia cOnven-
ton, as Is well known. ratified the Con-
stItuticn a. proposed, but at the same
tiile insisted upon its amendment AS
prouosed by George Mason and those
who acted with him. TIE first ten amend
ments which were engraited upon
the instrument went lar TO meet the de-
mands of Virginia, and have been most
potent IN keeping the Federal govern
ment in It's appropriate sphere. To the
able statesmen VIC lOrosaW the dangers
of the new government and engrafted
these amendments upon n the country
can never be too grateful. Nothing -
more shallow than the chos. OF late years
to decry their ability and patriotism by
men who enjoy the fruits OF Their laDors.
Mason did not live long 90 witness the
working Of he new government. lie died
on the 7th of October. 1892. Hewas man
Of great punty Of character, an ardent
patriot. perfectly fearless in the express
sion OF his convictions.
No one can be- thoroughly informed as
10 the origin and nature OF republican
government. as We nave 1t to-day, without
maxim a study Of the life OF George
Mason. and we VIII PROBABLY never have a
more complete account of this Virginia
statesman than has been furnished US by
Miss Rowland. Her style Is unaffected
and attractive. and her book should be IN
the library of every student OF American
history. The volumes are very hand
somely printed by q. 7. Putnam Sons,
| New York. and have an Introductory
coaoter by General fitzhugh bee.
W. W. III.
In Honor OF a Manchester Belle
Correspondence o. the Richmond Dispatch.l
rr,o