Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-27
Roger Sherman, the
ACCOMPLISHMENTS

To the Editor OF The Star:
A few outstanding facts about some
Of the members Of Congress more than
hundred years ago may be Of inter-
the lives Of these men, Charles A.
Goodrich, published his FIRST sketches in
Hartford. Conn. in 1929. OF them the
writer says: at remains for us to
cherish their memory, and emulate
their virtues by perpetuating and ex-
tending the blessings which they have
bequeathed. So long as we preserve
our country their fame cannot die. for
1t is reflected from the surface of
everything that is beautiful and VAL
liable In our land" I'VE cannot recur
too often. nor dwell too long, upon the
lives and characters Of such men" "If
we !nhale the moral atmosphere In
which they moved. we must feel its
purifying and invigorating influence"
Among these men, Roger Sherman
can be claimed by two states. Massa-
chusettS and Connecticut. A native of
Newton, Mass, where he was born in
1921, he became later, in 1743, a resi-
dent OF New Milford. Conn, walking
all the distance to his new home on
foot, carrying his shoemaker tools on
his back. From the business of shoe
maker he finally changed to that Of
merchant and went into partnership
with his brother. Having a great thirst
for knowledge, his improvement was
rapid and the variety and extent of his
attachments at this early age are almost
incredible.
He had unusual skill In the science
OF mathematics. In 1745 at the age of
"a, ne was appointed to the office of
county surveyor, and had at this time
MADE no small advance in the science
OF astronomy. AS early as 1748
he supplied the astronomical calcula-
lions for an almanac published in the
city or New York and continued this
supply Tor several years" Mr.. Sher-
man was married twice, losing his first
Vile by death in 1749. He was the IA
Their Of is children.
Mr.. Sherman was admitted to the
par In 1154 and from this date became
distinguished 81 a judicious counselor
ana was rA-a.n7 promoted to offices of
trust ana Responsibility. In 1851 he
became sesident of New Haven, and
IN 1853 ne was appointed Judge of the
Court or Common Pleas, and about
that time was made treasurer of Yale
college. He was judge Of the Superior
Court until 1889, when he resigned on
being elected to Congress.
OF the important services which he
rendered his country during his con-
gr e,1 an .. career it is impossible to
committees involving the highest in
tsrests OF the country. Few men
were ever more highly esteemed in
connecticut and the people respected
him Tor his abilities, but still more for
his unbending integrity"
Mr.. Sherman contributed in no
small degree to the perfection of the
Feoeral Constitution, and he served the
country until his death In 1898. He
was uninfiuenced by passion, prejudice
or interest. and 1t was probably owing
to this trait in his character that he
enjoyed such extraordinary influence
in those deliberative bodies of which
he was a member" mo man was lis
tened to with deeper attention which
arose from the solid conviction of his
hearers that he was an honest mar. !"
He was long a professor of religion
and one OF its brightest ornaments. It
was with him a principle and a habit.
Few men had q higher reverence for
the Bible; few men studied it with
deeper attention; few were more in
timately acquainted with its doctrines
and with the metaphysical controver-
sizes OF the day. II the character of a
mans religion is to be tested by the
fruits 1t produces, the religion of Mr..
Sherman must be admitted to have
been not Of this world"
He was naturally possessed of strong
passions, but over those he at length
obtained extraordinary control. He
became habitually calm, sedate and
possessed" In the inscription
written upon the tablet which covers
his tomb, one reads: He was a man
Of approved integrity, cool, discerning
judge; q prudent, Sagacious Politician:
a true, faithful and firm Patriot"
Such men shaped the destiny of
America 200 years ago.
JULIA O. ROGERS.
Springfield Mass