The Irish standard., 1897-10-23


he received the thanks Of public meet
ings all over the province. The articles
In. question produced such an impress
sion that the English Governor Of
Maryland issued a proclamation, In
which he said that the law would re-
main. so fully were the people con-
WINGED by the essays of Mr.. Carroll" :"
says the historian Judson, that they
were clearly right, that they hung the
proclamation upon gallows and bid
defiance to the minions of despotism.'
Before it was known who was the writ
er the citizens Of Annapolis, irrespect-
| i've of religion, instructed their repre-
sentatives in the Legislature to record
vote of thanks to the author, and
when they subsequently ascertaincd
that Charles Carroll, Of Carrollton, was
the champion who had bearded the
British lion, they repaired in body
to his house and made the welkin ring
with heartfelt thanks and plaudits oi
praise.
From that time forward he became
a prominent leader of the liberal par
ty, an espouser of American rights and
a stern opposer of parliamentary
wrongs. His benign influence radiated
its genial rays upon the hearts and
confirmed the wavering minds of many
iii the glorious cause of liberty. He
went for his country, and his %hole
country. He portrayed in bold anC
glowing colors the expressions of tho
king, the corruptions and designs o,
his minister's, and the humiliating con-
sequences OF tame submission to the
arbitrary demands. He was among the
first to kindle the flame of patriotic
resistance and light the torch of indie.
pendence. He was among the first tc
sanction the Declaration Of Rights, and
the last Of the noble band OF patriots
who signed the sacred and immortal
document that bid it. long, a fina,
| farewell.
In December, 1774, he was appointed
one Of the Committee of Correspond.
ence for the province, as one of the
initial steps of the revolution in Mary
land, and the following year was elect
| ed one Of the Council OF Safety. In
July, 1776, he was elected to the con.
vention Of Maryland, and on August
22d following took his sea- in the Con-
tinental Congress and, affixed his name
to the chart Of liberty. His talents
and zeal were highly appreciated by
the members of that august body.
He had previously endehrel himself
to them by a mission. to Canada, in
conjunction with tBish hop Carroll, Ben
! jamin Franklin and Samuel Chase. The
| object Of their mission was to persuade
| the people of Canada to unite with the
colonies to burst the chains OF slavery
and throw off the yoke Of bondage
that had been forced upon them by
the king of tyrants, the Parliament OF
England. Unhappily, the defeat and
death of that brave Iris;l-American
patriot, Gen. Richard Montgomery, and
the dark prospects uf future success
| caused the Canadians to refuse.
On his return from this mission the
sterling patriot found to his great sur
prise, that the delegates from Mary.
land then in Congress, had been in
structed to vote against the Declara-
tion of Independence. He Immediately
repaired to the convention and by his
eloquence and cogens reasoning, con.
vtnced the members Of their error, whI
Immediately rescinded the former and
unanimously directed its representa-
tives in Congress to unite in declaring
"the colonies free ana indcpcndcn
states"
On the memorable day, August 2
1916, when the roll was called for the
signing of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, slowly and eolemnly the dele.
gates walked up the aisle to fix their
signatures to that imperishable docu-
| ment. Charles Carroll was asked by
John Hancock would he sign. Most
willingly" said he, and went with the
rest to stake by that act larger per.
sonal interests than any man present
| for he was, not even excepting Bos.
toms merchant prince, Hancock, the
richest of all the delegates. AS he took
up his pen to sign, bystandcr re.
marked, in words to which all at least
mentally assented, There 80 few
cool millions" Bu. someone having
suggested that thf'c ware SO many
Charles CAROLS tI British legislators
would nave some difficulty in securing
| the right one, Mr.HCarroll Immediately
dashed of the expressive words which
Lave ever since been appended to his
name, whether written or spoken
words which ever Distinguish him b,
| the generous import they convey, "oi
| Carrollton."
| This great and good man, the last OF
| that noble band who pledged life, for
| tune and honor to the support Of Amer
ican independence, died on November
| IA, 1892. amid universal mourning. His
| last words were: II have lived to my
nincty-sixth year; have enjoyed con
| tinued wealth; l have been bcs5el
with great health, prosperity and most
Of the gogd things this world can be.
| stoW-public- appreciation and ap.
| plause; but what l now look back on