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THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.
uable part of the political history of the time. He had formed for himself a style, the unconscious outgrowth of his character, which is as distinctly marked as his handwriting. Even his “farewell address”—in which he invited the co-operation of Madison, Hamilton and Jay—gave unmistakable evidence of the molding hand of its original author.
Thomas Jefferson’s imperishable fame owes its existence not to the fact that he was third President of the American Republic. He won the laurel of immortality by writing the “ Declaration of Independence,” a document whose exalted sentiment is conveyed in diction worthy the most famous of classic writers. His public life embraced forty-two years. Yet amid all the exciting rivalries of political life, he found time to retreat to the Shades of Monticello, and devoted thought to letters, and perfected his plans for founding the University of Virginia, a monument alone sufficient to perpetuate his name and memory.
, Of the famed orators who thrilled the statesmen and the country before the War of the Revolution we lament that there is no record which embalms their eloquence for all coming time. Even the Divine gift of Patrick Henry—ever indescribable, ever unapproachable—is only a tradition. Had his pen been gifted as his tongue, we should today have need of no other theme. Richard Henry Lee was only second to Patrick Henry in fervid eloquence. He was proficient in Latin and Greek; also was a deep student and lover of the classics, by which his oratory was greatly enriched.
In the councils of the United Colonies, an assemblage of intellectual giants, Lee introduced the memorable resolution which kindled a fiery debate, and led to the motion that a committee be appointed to draft a declaration of independence. Of this committee Lee, according to usage, should have been chairman. Illness in his family unexpectedly called him away. On the following day the committee, was appointed, with Jefferson as chairman. By this simple incident or accident, Richard Henry Lee lost the crown of glory which will ever rest upon the brow of Thomas Jefferson. We must believe it wisely ordered that Lee’s eminent compatriot was called to pen the immortal page which entitles him to the high rank—first of Southern writers.
Of the statesmen of the first three decades of this century, none were more prominent than William Wirt. In 1807 he won wide distinction in the famous trial of Aaron Burr for high treason. In the War of 1812 he was an ardent patriot, engaging in active military duty. In the forum he displayed the same enthusiasm with undaunted mein, breaking a lance with Pinkney and Webster; plumed knights, before whom the stoutest heart might quail. Despite the pressing duties of public life he found time for purely literary work. His writings were varied. He left upon record that a literary career, above all others, would have been most congenial to his tastes. The average reader will remember him as author of the biography of Patrick Henry.
With the war in which William Wirt acted a subordinate part is associated another name, which will be remembered so long as heaven’s spangled azure proclaims upon every sea, and to all nations, the Divine origin of the American Republic. Francis Scott Key was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and educated at St. John’s College, Annapolis.
Like Hopkinson, he is indebted for literary celebrity to the composition of a single patriotic song, “The Star Spangled Banner.” It was composed in 1814 on the occasion of the bombardment of Fort McHenry, when the author was a prisoner in the hands of the attacking British.
The same period, from 1780 to 1851, is adorned by the name of John James Audubon. Louisiana proudly claims him as an honored son. He was of French descent. He engaged first in commercial pursuits, but finding himself strongly drawn toward the study of birds he decided to follow the bent of his mind. After nearly half a lifetime spent in this pursuit Audubon visited Europe to obtain subscribers for his great work, “ The Birds of America.” He was everywhere received with applause. The most distinguished men of the time, Humboldt, Herschel, Sir Walter Scott, Jeffreys