Part 18 (1/2)
In 1777 he was a member of the convention that framed the const.i.tution of New York. He was elected to the Senate and attended the first legislature of the empire state. The same year he was elected to Congress, then in session at York, Penn. having been compelled to flee before the conquering foe. Deeply afflicted with _hydro-thorax_ [dropsy of the chest] he felt that his labors must speedily close. It was in the spring of 1778 when the dark mantle of gloom hung over the bleeding Colonies. Under these circ.u.mstances he was willing to devote his last hours to the interest of his beloved country. He had freely given her his best services and a large portion of his pecuniary means. His family had fled to Kingston on the approach of the enemy. He repaired there to arrange his private business in the best possible manner. He wrote a valedictory letter to his friends at Albany--urged them to remain firm in the cause of Liberty--trust in G.o.d for deliverance and bade them an affectionate--a final farewell. He then clasped his lovely wife and dear children to his bosom for the last time on earth--commended them to Heaven's guardian care--gave them a look of tenderness--a fervent kiss and was gone.
On the 5th of May he took his seat in Congress, exhausted and feeble, but determined to remain at his post until the lamp of life should burn out.
Although standing on the confines of eternity, his zeal in the cause of human rights shone brightly to the last. For himself he could not antic.i.p.ate the enjoyment of the fruit of his numerous and protracted toils but for his family and his countrymen he felt deeply--hoped ardently. He had full confidence that Independence would be sustained and that a glorious Republic would rise upon the ruins of monarchy.
In June his health failed rapidly and on the 12th of that month, 1778 he yielded to the monarch Death to whom he owed a momentary allegiance--paid the debt--took a release and a pa.s.sport to mansions in the skies. He was buried the same day with all the mournful honors due to his great worth--deeply lamented by all the friends of freedom. His amiable wife was not with him but he had a friend that sticketh closer than a brother--one that had been his stay and support in every hour of trial and smoothed the pillow of death--RELIGION. Angels waited for the transit of his immortal soul--opened wide the gates of Heaven to let the patriot in--the King of glory decked him with a robe of white, enrolled his name in the book of life and crowned him with that peaceful rest which is the reward of a pure heart and a virtuous life.
The private character of Mr. Livingston was a continued eulogy upon virtue, philanthropy, benevolence, urbanity, integrity, n.o.bleness, honesty, patriotism, consistency and all the leading qualities that render man dignified on earth and fit for Heaven.
His public career was an exemplification of all the n.o.ble qualities that render a patriot complete and endear him to a nation of freemen. With such men to wield the destiny of our expanding nation--our country is safe--our UNION secure.
THOMAS LYNCH JR.
The prudent man soars in peerless majesty above the trifling vanities and corrupting pleasures of this world and lives in constant readiness to enter the mansions of bliss beyond this vale of tears. He regards the past, present and future in the light of Revelation and views mankind in the bright suns.h.i.+ne of charity--exemplifies the golden rule in his intercourse with the world. He investigates impartially, reasons logically--condemns reluctantly. Prudence is not the necessary result of s.h.i.+ning talents, brilliant genius or great learning. A profound scholar may astonish the world with scientific discoveries--pour upon mankind a flood of light--enrapture the immortal mind with theological eloquence--point erring man to the path of rect.i.tude and render himself powerless by imprudent conduct. One grain of prudence is of more value than a cranium crowded with unbridled genius or a flowing stream of vain wit. Dangers gather thick around the frail bark of man without it and harry him lo destruction. It is the real ballast of human life. So thought and so acted the Sages of the American Revolution, else their efforts would have been vain, their exertions powerless.
Among them stood the young patriot Thomas Lynch Jr. born on the plantation of his father on the bank of the North Santee river in the parish of Prince George S. C. on the 5th of August 1749. His paternal ancestors were of Austrian descent and highly respectable. The direct ancestor of young Thomas removed to Kent in England, from thence to Ireland, a son of whom, Jonack Lynch, removed from Connaught to South Carolina in the early time of its settlement. He was the great grandfather of the subject of this short sketch--a man of liberal views and pure morals.
In childhood Thomas Lynch Jr. was deprived of his mother by death. At the proper age he was placed at the Indigo Society School at Georgetown, S. C. where some of the most eminent sages of the south were educated.
Warmed by the genial rays of science the mind of young Lynch soon burst from its embryo state and exhibited a pleasing and luxuriant growth. His progress was rapid and highly gratifying to his anxious father whose only child he was. At the age of thirteen he entered the far famed school at Eton, Buckinghams.h.i.+re, England, founded by Henry VI. At that school he commenced his cla.s.sical studios. After completing his course there he was entered as a gentleman commoner in the University of Cambridge where he became a finished scholar and polished gentleman, esteemed and respected by his acquaintances. He then entered the law temple and became well versed in legal knowledge and general science and was well prepared to enter upon the great theatre of action.
During his stay he cultivated an extensive acquaintance with the whigs of England and became familiar with the designs of British ministers upon the Colonies. He investigated closely the relative situation of the two countries and came home in 1772 prepared and determined to oppose the oppressions of the crown and strike for LIBERTY. As the dark clouds of the Revolution loomed up from the horizon and increased in fearful blackness the firmness of his purpose increased. These were fostered by his patriotic father and responded to by the people of the parish. Hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder did the sire and son march to the rescue resolved so put forth their n.o.blest efforts to throw off the chains of tyranny.
The first attempt of this young patriot to speak in public after his return was at a large town meeting in Charleston. His father had just addressed the a.s.sembled mult.i.tude on the subject of British oppression and sat down amidst the enthusiastic cheers of his fellow citizens. His youthful son then rose. A profound silence ensued. The eyes of the dense ma.s.s were fixed upon him. For a moment he paused. The blood rushed back upon his aching heart. It returned to its thousand channels--his bosom heaved--the struggle was over--an impa.s.sioned strain of eloquence burst from him that carried the insulating fluid of patriotism to the hearts of his astonished and delighted audience with irresistible force. Tears of joy ran down the furrowed cheeks of his father--bursts of applause from the enraptured mult.i.tude made the welkin ring. Such men could not remain slaves.
When the crisis arrived for physical action he was among the first to offer his services. In July 1775 he received a captaincy and repaired to Newbern, N. C. where he unfurled the star spangled banner and in a few weeks enlisted a full complement of men. His father objected to his acceptance of so low a grade to whom his affectionate son modestly replied--”My present command is fully equal to my experience”--a reply worthy the consideration of every young man who desires to build his fame upon a substantial basis. If a man is suddenly placed upon a towering eminence to which his is unaccustomed, the nerves of his brain must be unusually strong if he does not grow dizzy, tremble, totter--fall. If he ascends gradually--pauses at different points of alt.i.tude as he advances, he may reach the loftiest spire, preserve his equilibrium and stand in safety. Sudden elevations often prove disastrous.
On his way to Charleston with his company Capt. Lynch was prostrated by the bilious fever from which he never entirely recovered and was not able to join his regiment for several months. Soon after this he received intelligence of the dangerous illness of his father--then a member of Congress at Philadelphia. He applied to Col. Gadsden for permission to leave for that city which was refused on the ground that his services were paramount to all private considerations. His unexpected election to Congress to succeed his father, by a unanimous vote of the a.s.sembly, enabled him to leave at once. With great diffidence he look his seat in the Congress of 1776 amidst veteran sages and statesmen whose combined talents and wisdom are without a rival on the pages of history.
On his arrival at Philadelphia he found his revered father partially relieved from a paralytic attack and in August started with him for home. They only reached Annapolis where the venerable sage died in the arms of his son.
On entering the national legislature Capt. Lynch became a bold and eloquent advocate for the Declaration of Independence and soon convinced his senior colleagues that he had a full share of wisdom to conceive, patriotism to impel and prudence to guide him in the glorious cause of freedom. He cheerfully and fearlessly affixed his name to the Magna Charta of our rights and did all in his power and more than his feeble health would warrant to advance the best interests of his excoriated--bleeding country. He was finally compelled to yield to increasing ill health and relinquish his honorable station.
Medical skill proved futile and as advised by his physicians, he and his accomplished wife embarked for Europe at the close of 1779 with Capt.
Morgan, whose vessel was never heard from after she had been a few days at sea and then from a Frenchman who left her from some cause unexplained and went on board another vessel. Soon after he left her a violent gale came on and beyond all doubt the vessel went down with all on board. Previous to embarking he made a will bequeathing his large estate to three sisters in case of the death of himself and wife, having no children.
The private character of this worthy man was pure and in all respects amiable. Had his valuable life been spared his eminent talents and great zeal promised important services to his country and an elevated rank among the sages and patriots of the eventful era at which he commenced his brilliant but transient career. Short as was his public tenure he did enough to immortalize his name. Although his bright morning sun did not reach its meridian, its splendor contributed largely in illuminating the horizon of LIBERTY and shed a rich l.u.s.tre over his name that will render his memory sacred through all future time.
The brief career of Thomas Lynch Jr. admonishes us that life is held by a slender cord and that exalted talents and splendid accomplishments, like some rich flowers, often bloom just long enough to be gazed at and admired--then close up their petals and hide their beauties for ever from enraptured sight.
THOMAS McKEAN.
Great designs require the deep consideration of strong, vigorous and investigating minds. Imposing events open a wide field for fame and bring to view powers of intellect that would never unfold their beauties under ordinary circ.u.mstances. Hence the brilliancy of talent that illuminated the glorious era of the American Revolution. Many who became eminent statesmen and renowned heroes during that memorable struggle would have remained within the sphere of their particular occupation in time of peace. The public gaze would never have been fixed upon them--they would have pa.s.sed away with a rich mine of undeveloped mental powers. Hence the erroneous expression I have heard from men who do not a.n.a.lyze all they read, hear and see--that we have no men among us _now_ with the exalted talents of the sages of '76. Just such an occasion would explode the error.
That many of the patriots of that eventful period were men of unusual ability and acquirements--I freely--proudly admit. That the momentous transactions that engaged their attention served to add an unequalled l.u.s.tre to their names is emphatically true. The perils that encompa.s.sed them--the dangers that surrounded them--the mighty work they conceived, planned and consummated--all combine to shed a sacred halo around their well earned fame.
Prominent among them was Thomas McKean, a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, born on the 19th of March 1731. He was the son of William McKean who immigrated from Ireland at an early age. He placed this son under the tuition of Rev. Francis Allison then princ.i.p.al of the most popular seminary of the province. He was a gentleman of profound erudition and science.