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©alitor ma £*ocUty. 
 
 42^ 
 
 
 
 . . . PKIZE ESSAgS . . . 
 
 — BY — 
 
 Scholars of the -High School 
 
 — IN THE — 
 
 gttate of QLalxfovxtxa, 
 
 UPON THE SUBJECT 
 
 "PATRICK HE/N-Ry." 
 
 The First Prize, a Silver Medal, was awarded to 
 
 PAUL G. CLARK 
 
 of the Los Angeles High School. 
 
 The Second Prize, a Bronze Medal, was awarded to 
 HOWARD D. EBEY 
 
 of the Los Angeles High School. 
 
 Honorable Mention, was awarded to 
 
 CHRISTOPHER G. RUESS 
 
 of the Los Angeles High School. 
 
 (Committee on 3ltt»av&. 
 HARRY WOODVILLE LATHAM. 
 
 Published by the Society 
 June 17th, 1S95. 
 
 c 
 
£"3. 
 
 ■6 
 
 By THE 
 
 ^vu& of tl)e Revolution 
 
 IN THE 8TATE OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 A PROCLAMATION. 
 
 Tq the High School Scholars of the State of California, Greeting: 
 
 The Society, Sons of the Revolution, was instituted on "Washington's Birth- 
 day, ]S76. in theSti-tc ni New York, and it now has a National Organization mod- 
 eled alter the government of the United .states. 
 
 The i.urp sea of the Society are Ftated in our Constitution: 
 
 "The California Society, Sons of the Revolution, has been incorporated for 
 the purposes of perpetuating among their descendants the memory of those brave men 
 Who periled their lives and fortunes in the War of the Revolution to wrest the American 
 Colonies from British dominion; f> >r the collectien and preservation of manuscripts, 
 records and documents relating to that contest for Independence; for the inspiration 
 among it" mem hers and tiieir children of the patriotic spirit of their forefathers; for the 
 inculcation of a love of country and veneration for the principles which are t e founda- 
 tion of our National Unity, and i he promotion of social iuterourse and cordial fellow - 
 .shin among its members.' - 
 
 its membership is Composed of direct descendants of Ancestors who, either as 
 Military, Naval or Marine officers, soldiers, sailors or marines, or officials, in the 
 service of any one of the thirteen original Colonies or States, or of the National 
 Government, assisted in establishing American Independence, during the War 
 of the Revolution. 
 
 The Societies in the Eastern States have er cted monuments upon Revolutionary 
 Battlefields, placed bronze and marble tablets at places made historic by heroic deeds 
 and erected a beautiful Bronze Stattte in the City of New York to the memory of Cap- 
 tain Nathan Hale, 'the man who made the name of spy synonymous with martyr 
 an?! patriot in the records of the War for Independence." 
 
 • alif. rnia contains no Revolutionary historic g minrl, but the Sons of the Rev- 
 olution can erect a Monument to Loyalty and Patriotism in the hearts of her 
 miii' 'mil da ugbters. 
 
 Now, Therefore, ns an incentive to research in American Patriotic History, 
 and to give them a more intimate knowledge of the patriotism, devotion, heroism ami 
 sacrifices Of our Pore fathers, The California Society of Sons of the Revolution 
 oilers them a Silver Medal as a first prize and a Bronze Medal as a second prize 
 for the best Original Essays upon the subject, 
 
 PATRICK HENRY. 
 Competing Essays must contain not less than 1776 nor more than 1894 words, type- 
 written on one side only of paper s.\10 inches, with l l / 2 inch margin at the left, signed by 
 a noil) deplume, accompanied with a sealed envelope with the nom-de-plume on the' 
 outside containing the writer's real name, address, school and a certificate from the 
 Superintendent or Principal of the High School that the Essay is original. 
 
 A II Essays nuist be sent by mail in a large or "legal" envelope to the Secretary 
 of this Society before January 1, 1895. The examining committee will receive the Es- 
 savs, the Secretary retaining the envelopes containing the real names of the writers, 
 until the committee shall have reached a decision, when they will be opened at a meet' 
 lug of tin' Hoard id' Directors of the Society. 
 
 The prizes will be awarded at the annual meeting of the Society in Los Angeles 
 on the anniversary of Washington's Birthday, 1895. 
 
 The Society hereby appoints the Superintendent, Principal and Teachers of each 
 comi ciing High School, a Committee of Heview and Inspection, with authority to reject 
 such Essays as may not be worthy of a piace in the competition, so that only meritorious 
 Essays fie sent. 
 
 The Prize Medal is Silver, the face being a fac simile of the Seal of the Society, 
 and will have, on the reverse, an appropriate inscription with the winner's name. The 
 second prize will be like the firBt. but in Bronze. Both medals will be suspended by a 
 silk ribbon in butt' and blue, the Continental colors of the Society. 
 
 (iiven from the Hall of our Society in the City of Los Angeles, 
 this eighth day of May, in the year of our Cord one thousand eight hundred 
 and ninety four, and of the Independence of the United States of 
 America the one hundred and nineteenth, and of the Society of Sons of 
 the Revolution the nineteenth. 
 
 HOLDRIDGE OZRO COLLINS. 
 
 President. 
 ARTHUR BURNETT IS EN TON. 
 
 Secretary, 
 114 North Spring Street. Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 STATE OF CALIFORNIA., 
 i>i pa,rtmt m <.i Public tnsUtu 
 
 Sacramento, April 'J4, 1891. 
 
 HoI.DRIhGF. O. COLLINS, ESQ . 
 
 President California Society Sons of the Revolotton, 
 
 Los Angej.ks,Oal. 
 Lear Sir: 
 
 The plan proposed by you for securing prize essays upon subjects relating to 
 the War of the Revolution, meets my hearty approval. I commend it to the Principals 
 and Directors of our High schools, believing that it *\ ill prove a source of both p easure 
 and profit, and a powerful means of cultivating a proper patriotic spirit on the part of 
 our young people. Very truly yours, 
 
 J. W. ANDERSON, 
 
 Superintendent Public instruction. 
 [Copy of Proclamation.] 
 
J 
 
 
 -1 
 
 s- 
 
 
 
 PROEM, 
 
 The California Society £»oil* of the gl?uohtti*m 
 
 was organized " for the purposes of perpetuating among 
 their descendants the memory of those brave men who 
 periled their lives and fortunes in the War of the 
 Revolution to wrest the American colonies from British 
 Dominion; for the collection and preservation of manu- 
 scripts, records and documents relating to that contest for 
 Independence; for the inspiration among its members and 
 thejr children of the patriotic spirit of their forefathers; 
 for the inculcation of a love of country and veneration for 
 the principles which are the foundation of our National 
 Unity, and the promotion of social intercourse and cordial 
 fellowship among its members." 
 
 Only those are eligible whose ancestors participated upon 
 the Colonial side in the War of the Revolution. 
 
 The Societies in the Eastern States in carrying out the 
 practical objects of the Organization have erected statues 
 of distinguished men of the Continental Armv, and placed 
 bronze and marble tablets upon spots made memorable by 
 heroic deeds. 
 
 In the early days of its existence the California Society 
 determined, as an incentive to the patriotism of our grow- 
 ing youth, and the study of our most memorable epoch, to 
 offer prizes to the scholars in the High Schools for the best 
 two essays upon the subject PATRICK HENRY. 
 
 With the hearty endorsement and co-operation of J. W. 
 Anderson, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Proclama- 
 tions were sent to every High School in the State, inviting 
 all scholars to compete for two prizes, one a silver and the 
 other a bronze medal, to be the reward for the two best 
 essays. A large number of responses was received and they 
 were all referred for examination to Harry W. Latham, A. 
 B., a graduate of Yale College and a gentleman of discrim- 
 inating literary ability. 
 
The following was his report, viz: 
 
 " I return herewith, Essays Sons of the Revolution. I 
 should advise the awarding of prizes as follows: 
 First Prize, Essay by Laru, No. 3. 
 Second Prize, Essay by Scribendum, No. 7. 
 Third Prize, Essay by Patrio T. Lover, No. 13. 
 
 H. W. Latham." 
 Upon opening the sealed envelopes containing these 
 noms-de-plume it was found that " Laru " was Paul (t. 
 Clark, Scribendum was Howard D. Ebey, Patrio T. Lover 
 was Christopher G. Kuess, all scholars of the Los Angeles 
 High School. The medals will be given to the winners 
 upon a suitable occasion, and this Society has the pleasure 
 of presenting herewith the successful essays. The prizes 
 are a fac-simile of the Seal on the first page of this pam- 
 phlet with an appropriate inscription on the back. 
 
 A similar competition upon another subject will be pro- 
 posed at the next session of the High Schools of California. 
 
@D1ji> gxlvev i$Ut»iU $Jrt?e (&#&a\j. 
 
 PATRICK HENRY. 
 
 BY PAUL G. CLARK. 
 
 Out of Chaos came forth order; out of blinding darkness 
 proceeded a pure ray of light, out of the Revolution Pat- 
 rick Henry, like Athena, was born. 
 
 It seems as though often in the crisis of a nation's life, 
 whether for the first time the Ship of State is being launched 
 upon the sea of national life or whether it approaches too 
 closely upon some mid-ocean shoal, that in the moment of 
 its direst need, some deliverer arises in his saving might. 
 Perchance the nation is about to fall a prey to a vora- 
 cious enemy or be the blameless object of a tyrant's oppres- 
 sion; maybe, discord prevails in the breasts of her sons 
 and the state about to succumb to the intestine rivalries of 
 dissension. Such at one time was the seeming fate of 
 America. 
 
 Voyagers had set out from the land of England and 
 planted a colony upon the virgin continent of America. 
 Its ranks had been recruited from time to time, until at 
 larft it no longer depended on the land of its nativity for 
 support. It took firm hold in the soil of its adoption and 
 spread its roots over a large extent of country. A stately 
 stock shot up from the center of the plant; in turn upon it 
 grew a branch, then another, until upon the majestic stern 
 of popular unity there stood, in the grand beauty of peer- 
 less nature, thirteen branches. 
 
 This country has ever quickly rallied around the stand- 
 ard of freedom whenever assailed by seditious spirits. The 
 king of Britain raised his hand and dangled the chain of 
 servitude before the eyes of North America. The people 
 saw the pending danger about to force them into abject ser- 
 vitude. America arose in her new found might and de- 
 livered her one ultimatum, " Give me liberty or give me 
 death!" The fiat had gone forth; there is no appeal from 
 the exalted judgment of liberty. 
 
 Who is this who has raised such a burst of patriotism 
 from the people without a government? Who has had the 
 
courage to throw down the gauntlet of defiance before a 
 nation, lord of priceless possessions? Who has raised the 
 standard of Independency over- a country crushed by its 
 master's heel? Let the patriotism of America answer. 
 Those who feel the priceless value of liberty give a contin- 
 ual and ever-living response. Upon the heart of every 
 true son in this broad land are engraven these mighty 
 words — Patrick He nry. 
 
 Patrick Henry was born in Virginia in the lap of liberty, 
 and cradled in her arms. The true date of his birth was 
 when America declared her freedom. 
 
 The first years of his life' were spent outwardly in idle- 
 ness; yet all the while that he was doing nothing for his 
 own advancement, neglecting education, making failures in 
 commercial embarkations, he was amassing to himself 
 powers of observation, comprehensions of his fellow beings 
 and such secret keys to the human character as were of 
 lasting benefit to him throughout his life. Literally he ab- 
 sorbed experience from the silence of the woods and learn- 
 ing from behind the plow. Nature was his schoolmistress 
 and man his educator. 
 
 But slowly and surely fate was working out his destiny. 
 Already were signs of an wakening in that mighty intellect: 
 already was the power of his genius stirring like a giant 
 awakened from sleep, until he is found bursting over his 
 hearers the bombshell of his eloquence; driving his oppo- 
 nents from their seats in the violence of his invective; 
 transfixing them with his brilliancy. Such was the begin- 
 ning of his public career. 
 
 The whole of his talents was devoted to his country's 
 service; all of his life devoted to it upon the rostrum of 
 independence. Long, manfully and faithfully did he battle 
 with the enemies of his country; first, in the House of Bur- 
 gesses before the war; afterwards in the Virginia House of 
 Delegates; then in the Continental Congress; and finally 
 (not abandoning his country when, largely through him, 
 her independence was declared) in the Constitutional Con- 
 vention, where with all the innate powers of his mind op- 
 posed what he, in defiance of the choicest intellects of the 
 country, thought to be America's foes; where he battled 
 with all the powers of his vast intellect, and finally, through 
 his influence, procured a series of amendments which are 
 the present balances and safeguards of the Constitution. 
 
Retiring from the arduous duties of political life, Patrick 
 Henry had more laurels to win at his profession, the bar. 
 At last, however, wishing rest from a public and more or 
 less political life, he sought the retirement of his home. 
 Even here he was pursued, and the turmoil of politic? pen- 
 etrated to his door. The People of Virginia could not for- 
 get one of their foremost representatives and truest patriots. 
 The Legislature of the State offered him for the third time 
 the chair of Chief Executive of the Commonwealth. In 
 the midst of his family, most cherished friends and intimate 
 acquaintances, a public career had no further charms for 
 him. His service to the free and independent States of 
 America had been rendered; he possessed the consciousness 
 of having done his work, and owed not a single duty to his 
 native State. Let others take it up and support what he 
 had helped to create. 
 
 Once more does the sea of politics wash its breaking 
 waves around the quiet of his home. Upon his ear falls 
 the whisper of possible civil dissension; and this old man, 
 well worthy to rest in peace upon his laurels and to live upon 
 the patrimony of his estate, leaves the restful quiet and sol- 
 itude of his home, and seeks again to support the State 
 which was his creation. It was his last effort, and when 
 there sounded in his ears the call from heights above, it 
 found him at his post, denouncing tyrann} r , exalting lib- 
 erty. 
 
 If ever a passion animated the breast of Henry, it was the 
 love of Liberty. Filling his whole soul, it permeated every 
 nerve and fibre of his being. It prompted him to deliver 
 his heaven-born message of eloquence. Whether in the 
 assemblages of the Continental Congress, in the House of 
 Burgesses, or in some small- gathering, he never failed to 
 impart to them the lofty enthusiasm of his soul. Never did 
 his oratory fail in its forceful effect. Always rang the reso- 
 nant cry of his voice for liberty, filling his hearers with 
 admiration only exceeded by their patriotism. Before them 
 played the lightning of thrilling words, and rolled the thun- 
 der of patriotic persuasion. When we think of Henry, it is 
 as the grand patriot-orator; those high flights of genius 
 which were inimitable; those soul-stirring exhortations 
 which in their potent effects produced a silence like the 
 depths of the sky. 
 
 Even before the idea of a national independence had fully 
 forced itself upon the people, it was foreseen and understood 
 
8 
 
 by Patrick Henry that that was the thing which the future 
 had in store. Accordingly it was his lofty spirit which 
 sounded the first clarion note of "to arms." 'Twas he who 
 voiced the opinion of America and proclaimed it in its rul- 
 ing body. Like magic the colonists saw what he had long 
 foreseen. His burning words were having their effect. 
 The torch of independence was lighted by His own steady 
 hand. He roused the enthusiasm of a people almost stunned 
 by the shock of oppression. The chains of restrained lib- 
 erty were cast off and the country rose, a nation. True, oh 
 Patrick Henry, that Ccesar had his Brutus, that Charles 1st 
 had his Cromwell, but it may be said with equal truth that 
 the chief Powers of Civic Thraldom had their Henry. 
 
 The record of his life shows the prevailing qualities of 
 moderation in both speech and action. The love of justice 
 amply made amends for whatever he lacked in the routine 
 of his profession. 
 
 Nero's power would have been crushed before he could 
 touch his imperial sceptre had Henry lived in his time. 
 The historians voice would have been dumb concerning 
 the tyranny of the Pharaohs had Henry existed before the 
 Christain Era. No soul could listen to his "silver tongue" 
 and remain impassive. Patrick Henry roused it on to action 
 and quickly cut the Cord of Fate for America's deliverance. 
 He was the Rienzi of American history. 
 
 His was the magnificent grandeur of the lion. Calm and 
 peaceful when un-aroused, yet grand of contemplation; but 
 when once disturbed from his tranquility, he rises in 
 majesty and plunges with the roar of a mighty thunder 
 into the thickest of the fray. On he rushes with the force 
 of the ocean wave before which all smaller objects are 
 crushed as the twig beneath the paw of the forest King. 
 Anon he pauses; yet only to gather force for one mighty 
 effort; when beneath a master stroke of superb power, the 
 arguments of his opposers lay crushed at his feet. 
 
 Let destruction sweep from shore to shore, let devastation 
 blow its lurid breath across the three thousand miles and 
 more, or discord cast its fearful shadow across the land; let 
 war wrap the American bulwarks in darkening smoke and 
 the capitol dome crash because of Anarchist's deadly power, 
 yet above it all will shine the bright star of American 
 patriotism, the star of the man who told England to stop 
 her tyrannical rule: the star of the man who made us a 
 nation, whose bright star of destiny will guide us to the 
 
future as it has lighted the past. The glorious fate of our 
 land ] S inevitable, the rising sun of her glorious future as 
 yet is only flashing its golden rays in the ether of the East; 
 her eagle of progress but commenced to wing his flight 
 across the years of her existence; the waving Stripes and 
 inspiring Stars only started to head the march of the long 
 winding column of Freedom's sons; still from the mighty 
 company there rings the cry of their " hail to the chief"" 
 for it was the author of the Resolutions against the Stamp 
 Act who with a few straggling followers began the now- 
 endless inarch. 
 
 It is to him that there peals from the soul of Americans 
 the thrilling music of patriot strains caught bv the rolling 
 orbs of time to. hand the secret on to eternity. It is the 
 message of gratitude from Columbia's sons and daughter* 
 and though the earth and heaven should roll away, from 
 the bottomless depth of space will spring the fount of a 
 people's thanks. Its twelve streams of crystal drops of love 
 will sparkle forever across the boundless waste of time 
 spanned by the rainbow arch of deserved reward. 
 
 Patrick Henry ! A name to be extant when heroes are 
 no more; when the names of kings are buried beneath the 
 grandeur of their glory. A name to sound along the "cor- 
 ridorsof time" and echo through the labyrinth halls of 
 tame. America can never forget the cornerstone of her 
 independence, her champion for the onlv priceless jewels 
 which are the sole heritage of her sons; she can never for- 
 get the true advocate of her Freedom, the Protector of her 
 Llbert ^ Laru. 
 
11 
 
 PATRICK HENRY, PATRIOT AND ORATOR. 
 
 BY HOWARD D. EBEY. 
 
 Almost two hundred years have been born from the 
 tragic stage of time since a lustrous star, obscured by the 
 haze of humbleness, joined the constellation of American 
 greatness. When oblivion's claim to Washington's immor- 
 tal name is granted by a grateful people, when America no 
 longer loves the light of liberty, then only will its splendor 
 wane. May 29, 1736, conscripted from the realms of pre- 
 existence by the angel of destiny, Patrick Henry donned 
 the mantle of mortality and went forth to fight for free- 
 dom. 
 
 Home was the most beneficial schoolhouse for him, and 
 the lad's lack of education excelled his love of study, just 
 as he communed more with God's wild woods than with 
 the weak words of man. As he grew older, taught by dame 
 experience that fate had fashioned him neither for the 
 country counter nor the poor plantation, he elected law as 
 his vocation. A steed of fleetest foot it proved to be, and 
 bore him by the shortest road to fame. 
 
 His native county was the field of his first trophy. The 
 clergy had been paid with the Virginia's depreciated cur- 
 rency and worthless weed. They demanded indemnity. 
 The "Parson's Cause! " The people's counsel forsook them ; 
 the clergy's hopes sprang up like hydra's heads; the cause 
 had Patrick Henry's hand and heart. A Hercules, he 
 wielded well the severing sword of popular prejudice, and 
 seared the wounds with blazing eloquence. The verdict 
 petrified the vanquished with amazement: "One penny 
 damages." 
 
 Time rolls on. The House of Burgesses beholds him. 
 The Stamp Act is law. Words are well-nigh worthless 
 weapons now. A lull of suspense pervades the land. Loy- 
 alty or liberty! That is the question. Age and experience 
 hesitate to decide; youth and inexperience determine to 
 act. Patrick Henry becomes the leader of the legislature, 
 the orator of Virginia, the statesman of America, as he pens 
 the "Virginia Resolutions," declares America as free as 
 
12 
 
 England, pronounces the principle that "taxation without 
 representation is tyranny," as like a seer, he says, "Caesar 
 had his Brul us; Charles the First his Cromwell; and George 
 the Third ["Treason!" cries the chair. "Treason!" echoes 
 the house. Silence reigns and the orator maintains his 
 course ] — and George the Third may profit hy their exam- 
 ple. If this be treason, make the most of it." Thus was- 
 the flag of freedom unfurled. He rang the bell of liberty; 
 though fear attempted to muffle it, its peals rang in the 
 colonists' ears, nor has its sound yet ceased. 
 
 The years glide by, and his practice in the higher courts 
 lessens, as he forgets himself in remembering his country. 
 In the First Continental Congress, he strikes the key-note 
 of union and success with the words: "All distinctions are 
 thrown down. All America is thrown into one mass. I 
 am not a Virginian, but an American." He is in Virgin- 
 ia's Second Revolutionary Convention. The sound of war 
 is on the wind, and it inspires him. His voice is the voice- 
 of God as he says, "The war is inevitable. And let it come." 
 His hearers' souls are thrilled as he utters the words, "I 
 know not what course others may take, but as for me, give 
 me liberty, or give me death." 
 
 The royal governor planned to sieze all munitions of war. 
 Powder was transferred from the public arsenal to an 
 English man-of-war. Virginia's sons arose in arms, eager 
 and prepared to tight. But caution, fearful, called out r 
 "Disperse, ye rebels," and they dispersed. Hearing of 
 this, the people's hero, Patrick Henry, at the head of sev- 
 eral undaunted hundreds marched on to Williamsburg. 
 Success! His majesty's receiver-general makes amends to- 
 the amount of £3o0. Not a gun fired, not a man dead, — 
 Virginia's bloodless Battle of Lexington was a victory! "A 
 certain Patrick Henry" was denounced by the governor's 
 proclamation, but the people praised and loved him. 
 
 The hero's talents were recognized, and during the recess 
 of the Second Continental Congress he represented Virginia. 
 
 Commander-in-Chief of Virginia's soldiery! That was the 
 commission, but it was only a commission. He renounced 
 his title, and another chapter of his history was written. 
 
 The question of independence agitates the minds of Vir- 
 ginia's statesmen; Patrick Henry's counsel: Let us have a 
 declaration of independence, but let us also have union at 
 home, and friendship abroad. It is embodied in the reso- 
 lutions. In the constitution of Virginia,, he sows the seeds- 
 
13 
 
 of democracy and equality; in her declaration of rights, he 
 asserts for the first time the divine principle of religious 
 liberty. 
 
 Just one day after the adoption of the Declaration of 
 Independence, the patriot becomes Virginia's first gov- 
 ernor. During this term an illness befalls him which 
 determines his future. As governor, he devotes his time 
 and talent to the common cause in the darkest days of the 
 Revolution. His second administration is remembered for 
 his thorough loyalty to Washington in the cabal to sup- 
 plant that general with Gates. While he was governor a 
 third eventful year, the fair and fertile fields of the South 
 were ploughed with the cannon-ball and watered with the 
 blood of heroes. In these three years, Virginia thrice 
 invested her able and patriotic governor with exceptional 
 authority. 
 
 He refused to succeed himself for a third time by a loose 
 construction of the constitution; he declined to serve as 
 delegate to the general congress. Nor did the duties of 
 statesmanship at any subsequent time call him beyond 
 Virginia's borders. 
 
 Virginian villages saw the unsheathed sword. From 
 place to place the capitol kept moving. And once it came 
 to pass, that, told in time that Tarleton the Terrible was 
 not far distant, the luckless legislators fled on horse and 
 foot for safety. And many and most comic are the tales 
 told thereof, — ofPatrick in particular. 
 
 During four years Virginia watched her ex-governor in 
 the legislature with pleasure. After Cornwallis' surrender, 
 strong in his convictions, obedient to the dictates of his 
 conscience, he advocated with magnanimity and Demos- 
 thenic eloquence the return of the British refugees and the 
 freedom of trade — even with discomfited England. He 
 essayed the solution of the Indian problem, and sought to 
 make all men religious. And now, honored once more by 
 his people, he occupied the governor's chair for two terms. 
 
 A few years more passed away, and in the projected sur- 
 render to 'Spain for five and twenty years of the Missis- 
 sippi, America's artery, the South's discerning statesmen 
 see the serpent of sectionalism. Would the North barter 
 the South's rights away ! Never ! Patrick Henry, from 
 being Federalism's firm friend, becomes her foremost foe, 
 and refuses to attend the Constitutional Revision Conven- 
 tion, and thus tacitly submit. 
 
14 
 
 The Constitutional Convention adjourns Sept. 17, 1787; 
 June 2, 1788, Virginia's Convention convenes with her 
 orators, patriots, and statesmen there — but divided. Ratify 
 the document unamended"/ " Yes," says statesman James 
 .Madison. " No," says statesman Patrick Henry. Why 
 Patrick Henry's " No?" A strong central government, — 
 but also the rights of the states expressed and not implied — 
 this he advocates. But his own words answer — " I mean 
 not to breathe the spirit nor utter the language of secession. 
 The first thing I have at heart is American liberty; the 
 second is American union." 
 
 Defeated ! He had expected it. One fourth of all the 
 words had been struck from the mint of his mind and, 
 grateful for the respectful attention shown, he magnani- 
 mously vowed the vow of patriotism — he would correct the 
 constitution constitutionally. 
 
 When Virginia's assembly met, was Patrick Henry van- 
 quished? No. Washington wrote to Madison, "He has 
 only to say, 'Let this be law,' and it is law." He named 
 the senators, carved out the congressional districts, and by 
 untiring labor secured the consummation of his grand 
 object, for, on December 15th, 1791, the constitution had 
 ten amendments. 
 
 Now, as a lawyer, he set one more gem in the diadem of 
 his fame. Could a British subject collect a debt, due before 
 the revolution, and paid, according to law, into the loan- 
 office of Virginia? Counsel for the defendant, Patrick 
 Herry answered that question negatively. The past and 
 the present, law and learning, his own mind and the minds 
 of others, — all these he laid under tribute, and when, the 
 legislative halls deserted, he came forth to argue the 
 British debt cause, he was victor before the battle. 
 
 As an advocate, he knew naught but success. Humor, 
 passion, sympathy, love, patriotism, reason, and religion — 
 he appealed to them all. He entranced the ear, caught the 
 eye, touched the heart, moulded the mind, and — concfuered! 
 
 And now, lawyer, soldier, statesman, orator, aud above 
 all, patriot, he retires from the arena of public life. The 
 amendments mad; 1 , he is a warm friend of the Government. 
 In 1794, Governor Henry Lee appoints him senator; Presi- 
 dent Washington in 1795 offers him the portfolio of state, 
 and, the next year, the chief-justiceship; in 1796, he is 
 chosen Governor for the sixth time. White with the snows 
 of age, bowed down with infirmity, he must decline these 
 
15 
 
 honors, one and all. But his country needs one more 
 "transient effort." Madison's "Virginia Resolutions !" 
 Jefferson's "Kentuky Resolutions!" War with France! 
 Partisanship rampant! Archibald Blair, John Adams, 
 George Washington — cry out to him. The appeal is heard, 
 and in the hour of his country's peril he is a candidate for 
 the assembly. The orator's prophetic voice is as a voice 
 from the dead. He is elected — but never again does he 
 cross the threshold of the assembly, for he has made 
 the peroration of his life. 
 
 He goes home and soon breathes a last prayer for him- 
 self, his home, and his country. Good and faithful ser- 
 vant of God and man! Thy spirit is fled — thou art gone. 
 When Washington joins him in paradise, the double loss 
 is felt and America's eyes are wet with the tears of sorrow. 
 
 His happy home, with his children playing around him, 
 could be likened only to heaven. His law fees had been mod- 
 erate, and prudence alone had enabled him to provide for 
 his large and beloved family. The company and conversa- 
 tion of his friends gladdened his heart; the sweet reveries 
 of solitude delighted his soul. Generous to his friends; he 
 displayed magnanimity toward his foes. 
 
 His habits were exemplary; his life was a book of moral 
 precepts. The fragrant weed of his native state never 
 enslaved him; he waged war against intemperance in a 
 practical manner by introducing a light beverage. He 
 deplored the blight of slavery while he felt its necessity, 
 knew its convenience in his day. 
 
 Talents, success, fame, never clothed him with vanity. 
 His life was profoundly religious; his belief was mirrored 
 in word, deed, and example. Human throughout, he 
 breathed with humanity. Conscience was his only master; 
 perfection his only idol. 
 
 Never did he hesitate to lift his voice for liberty; a lover 
 of democracy, a destroyer of tyranny, he was a maker of 
 history. In the book of fame, Clio penned his biography 
 in characters of gold; today patriotism punctuates it with 
 the diamonds of his eloquence. At birth, genius made her 
 abode in him, with strains of ecstasy; in life, midst patriots' 
 lays of adoration, victory's eagle perched upon his stand- 
 ard; at death, leaving a vacant chair in liberty's house, 
 he was greeted with the angels' songs of welcome. 
 
 Pa trio T. Lover. 
 
16 
 
 ^on& of the gUttolution. 
 
 IN THE 
 
 STATE OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 OFFICERS FOR 1S95. 
 
 ^Drcetbettt 
 HOLDRIDGE OZRO COLLINS, 
 
 Los Angeles. 
 
 ?ittee-3£> reaibettt. 
 MAJOR WILLIAM ANTHONY ELDERKIN, U. S. A. 
 
 Los Angeles. 
 
 Secretary. 
 ARTHUR BURNETT BENTON, 
 
 114 N. Spring St., Los Angeles. 
 
 ©treasurer. 
 
 JOHNSTONE JONES, 
 
 Los Angeles. 
 
 &e0tdirar, 
 EDWARD THOMAS HARDEN, 
 
 2331 Thompson St., Los Angeles. 
 
 fjjtfttoritttt. 
 JAMES MONROE ALLEN, 
 
 San Francisco. 
 
 tfUjaplaitx. 
 REV. JOHN GRAY, 
 
 Rector St. Paul's Parish, Los Angeles. 
 
 iptaretjal. 
 FRANK CLARKE PRESCOTT, 
 
 Redlands. 
 
011 782 355 6