MY DAY I stood at dawn by a limitless sea. And watched the rose creep over the grey; The pale stars stole away, one by one- And he, like a King, came up from the sea! The soul that was born of a song and flower I had dwelt in the garden of the Lord! It spared not the weak-nor the strong-nor the dear. They whispered that Hope, the angel of light, Would spread her white wings and speed her away. But she folded me close in my longest night And darkest day. As of old, when the fire and tempest had passed, And an earthquake had riven the rocks, the Word In a still small voice rose over the blast The Voice of the Lord. [1749-1815] CHARLES W. KENT AMONG the distinguished literary men the North has lent or given to the South, no one became more closely identified with his adopted community or served it with more singleness of purpose than David Ramsay first in time and first in importance of the South Carolina historians. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1749. The county has been known for many decades by its thrift, due in no small degree to the sturdy German stock that sought in this country, and partly in that county, immunity from persecutions at home because of their simple and independent religious faith. Ramsay, however, was not of this sturdy stock, but of that quick-witted and volatile race, the Irish, which had sent over among its adventurers the father of David Ramsay. Little or nothing is known of David's early schooling, but by means of it, whatever it was, he was prepared at the immature age of thirteen to enter the College of New Jersey (Princeton). He interrupted his college course by one year of tutoring in an academy at Carlisle, a town to which a peculiar interest attaches because the barracks built by the mercenary Hessians in the Revolutionary War are now occupied by the red wards of the Nation. After graduating from Princeton in 1765 he became a tutor for a while in Maryland, a State with whose fortunes his brother Nathaniel was closely identified during the Revolutionary War. He then entered upon the study of medicine in the College of Pennsylvania and fell under the wholesome influence of Dr. Benjamin Rush. This celebrated physician seems to have been the scientist of his profession in his day, and by his learning and progressive spirit he cornmended himself to the leaders of thought. He was Franklin's friend, and of him Jefferson wrote to Adams (in 1813): "Another of our friends of 'seventy-six is gone, my dear sir, another of the co-signers of the Independence of cur country; and a better man than Rush could not have left us, more benevolent, more learned, of finer genius, or more honest." Το have enjoyed the friendship of such a man was a benediction, and to have deserved it by possessing the very qualities Jefferson ascribes to Rush was a peculiar honor; no wonder that Ramsay's tribute to his old preceptor and philosophic friend was reckoned among the best studies of this great physician. During his college days at Princeton young David had fallen in love with Frances Witherspoon, the fair daughter of Princeton's eminent president. In winning her in marriage he won also the close friendship of her honored father, with whom afterward he conferred freely about State affairs of serious import. With his young wife Dr. Ramsay moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to practise his profession and began promptly a successful career. But he had studied under a great master, who counted his profession not the end of all living but a mere means to loftier citizenship. Ramsay had learned his lesson well, and soon became a recognized leader in social and philanthropic movements and an active participant in public affairs. His modern sense of civic responsibility saved him from any narrowing and absorbing specialization and gave him the deserved reputation of a man of great force and excellent equipment. These powers he used with no reserve in the American cause. Two years after his old friend, Dr. Rush, had signed the Declaration of Independence, the young Charleston doctor made it the topic of a patriotic address. His patriotism had perhaps been sensibly fired by his second marriage, his first wife having died early. In 1775 Martha Laurens, the daughter of the South Carolina patriot, Henry Laurens, returned from a ten-year stay abroad, and within two years had married the brilliant young widower. Her education and culture made her at once the critic and coadjutor of his literary labors. Ramsay's service in the State Legislature was an apprenticeship for larger legislative services, to which he was called as a Member of the Continental Congress from 1782 to 1785. In the meantime he had varied his era of peace by enlisting as an Army surgeon and spending eleven months as a prisoner in St. Augustine. He used the opportunities offered him as Congressman to procure material for his books. In 1785 he published his 'History of the Revolution in South Carolina,' and in 1790 the 'History of the American Revolution.' His 'Life of Washington' appeared in 1801, and his fuller 'History of South Carolina' in 1808. His next work was occasioned by the death of his accomplished wife in 1811, for he at once published a 'Memoir, with Extracts from her Diary.' From 1802 until 1813 he was engaged in publishing certain important medical books; and in this latter year appeared his biographical sketch of Dr. Rush, who had just died. In 1815 he published his 'History of the Congregational Church in Charleston.' It was when he was zealously engaged upon other work, and in the very full tide of his activity, that he was shot down in front of his own house by an irresponsible lunatic. He died May 2, 1815. When to the works already mentioned are added the orations unmentioned and the books that were published after his death, an explanation is needed of his surprising powers of productivity. The explanation is at hand, and is not genius, but a proverbial industry. He slept but four hours and worked well nigh all the hours that he did not sleep. His productions are valuable not merely because of his power of keen observation, his wide interests, and his literary activity, but because of his direct, straightforward, and unaffected style. There is never the blemish of stale stupidity, and there is frequently the charm of a simple and unassuming readiness raised by his own conviction and ardor into a close approximation to eloquence. Cleares Whhent THE FIRST EFFECT OF THE DECLARATION From 'History of the American Revolution.' FROM the promulgation of this declaration, everything assumed a new form. The Americans no longer appeared in the character of subjects in arms against their sovereign, but as an independent people, repelling the attacks of an invading foe. The propositions and supplications for reconciliation were done away. The dispute was brought to a single point, whether the late British colonies should be conquered provinces, or free and independent states. The declaration of independence was read publicly in all the states, and was welcomed with many demonstrations of joy. The people were encouraged by it to bear up under the calamities of war, and viewed the evils they suffered, only as the thorn that ever accompanies the rose. The army received it with particular satisfaction. As far as it had validity, so far it secured them from suffering as rebels, and held out to their view an object, the attainment of which would be an adequate recompense for the toils and dangers of war. They were animated by the consideration that they were no longer to risque their lives for the trifling purpose of procuring a repeal of a few oppressive acts of parliament, but for a new organization |