Smyrna times., 1901-04-24
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
PROMINENT OELAWAREANS
DELIVERED BEFORE THE HISTORICAL so.
CIETY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
Given on the 18th inst. by the Rev. Dr.
s. w. Thomas, Editor of the Philadelphia
Methodist, a Former DeIlwarean.

We give in full the following address
delivered by the Rev. DIR. Samuel w.
Thomas, editor of the Philadelphia
Methodist, before the Delaware His
torical Society of Wilmington on the
18th inst. Rev. Thomas, who was
born in Wilmington. grew up mostly
in Milford, and as candidate for the
ministry joined the Methodist Confer
ence at the session held in Smyrna in
1851. 1t is we'll prepared, and as a
>reminiscence of old families must prove
interesting reading to their descend
ents. 1t is as follows:
Delaware is diamond whose lustre
and value is seen in her sons. a penin-
sula all radiant with rich treasures of
historic value, the brightest and best
of her colonial sisters. She has pro-
duced men who have filled the annals
of history with resplendent deeds, and
who served their country with distin-
guished honor.
We shall speak of some of her illus
trious sons, not as Plutarch wrote his
lives, in parallels Gan illustrious Greek
by the side of an illustrious ROman)
but rather take our subjects siugly,
men we knew, except the elder Bayard.
God lent them to their country; they
left legacy of which We are proud to
be the trustees. Nor are we unmind-
full of the sacredness Of the trust, for
the names of these noble men were not
born to die-men imbued with trans
cendent virtues, mOnarchs of mankind,
men whose lives and labors we share.
May we ever keep fresh their memory,
emulating their example, practicing
their virtues, while we bury their
faults and forget their failings. "Great
men are not their own; they are the
property of mankind" He is great
whose goodness is not eclipsed by his
greatness. Some of whom we treat
walked on the high places of the earth.
others in the valley of comparative OBJ
security, yet in all we find some Jewel
worthy of our notice, some character
istic that challenges our admiration.
In early childhood it was our lot to
be associated with the Rodneys. which
brought us i'll close touch with the an
cestral line, but short remove from
Caesar, who signed the Declaration of
Independence, and among the heir
looms we possess, those we most prize
are the knee buckles he wore upon
that momentous occasion. No prouder
name is found upon the Roll of Honor
of this, our native State, nor has that
name been sullied by those who bear
it.
James A. Bayard, the elder, (though
not to the manor born, but who adop-
ted Delaware as his home,) stood a
giant in forensic debate. Astute, CO.
gent and clear, he left an imperishable
name. His descendants were among
the foremost men in the time we have
lived.
The IllustriOus Bayard Family.
James A. Bayard, his son, had few
superiors in his chosen profession.
was the equal of Clay and Calhoun.
and conserved the interests of his conn.
try with marked ability. True. he
represented a small State. but he filed
the land with admiration for his rare
genius. When he arose in legislative
halls, his stately presence, command
ing tones, and charming manners COM
manded the attention of his hearers in
those supreme moments of his life
when fully upon his metal. He was n
courtly gentleman, a well-mannered
man. Some thought him naughty. but
he was never arrogant. Reserve was
chosen lest he might suggest familiar
lty, and prudence in speech he priced
more than fiippant tongue. He hon.
ored, and never betrayed the State
that honored him.
Thomas +. Bayard was the honored
son of an honored sire. He was born
in 1928, in the City of Wilmington
State of Delaware, and practiced law
in New Castle County from 1851 until
he was elected U. s. Senator in 1868
he was reelected in 1875 and 1881.
He served as Secretary of State under
Cleveland from 1ss5-1ss0, and March
~, 1893, was appointed Ambassador to
Great Britain.
His stay at the Court of st. James
was marked with ability, and did much
to cultivate the spirit of fraternal re-
gard for us which, more recently, has
manifested itself among our English
cousins.
He was prudent and persuasive.
Still, he was chided for remarks he was
said to have made upon public occa-
sions, on the breaking out of the Civil