USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > Warwick in Bucks County > History of Neshaminy Presbyterian Church of Warwick, Hartsville, Bucks County, Pa., 1726-1876 > Part 23
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Rebecca W. Rhoads,
August 16, 1855,
20 y. 10 m. 16 d.
Ann Rittenhouse,
June 7, 1843,
40 y. 1 m. 7 d.
Joseph Richards,
August 11, 1809,
23 y. 7 m. 17 d.
Benjamin Richards,
August 4, 1818,
32 y. 7 m. 10 d.
John Roberts,
July 13, 1818,
74 y.
Jonathan Roberts,
June 13, 1833,
48 y. 2 m. 26 d.
Frances Roberts,
November 5, 1851, 62 y.
Joseph Robinson,
September 30, 1826, 49 y.
Elizabeth Robinson,
December 27, 1838,
69 y.
NAME. Catharine Ramsey,
John Ramsey, Eleanor Ramsey,
343
APPENDIX.
NAME.
TIME OF DEATH.
AGE.
Ellen G. Robinson,
November 10, 1868, 27 y.
Mary H. Rogers,
August 27, 1837, 19 y.
Benjamin W. Rogers,
August 2, 1844, 23 y.
Jacob H. Rogers,
April 24, 1860,
63 y.
Jane K. Ross,
July 3, 1871,
27 y.
George W. Ross,
July 30, 1871,
Mary Rubinkam,
June 1, 1843,
68 y.
Jesse Rubinkam,
October 9, 1852,
10 m.
Eliza Ann Ruckman,
George A. Rutherford,
February 18, 1868,
Mary A. Rutherford,
May 18, 1869,
22 y. 18 y. 2 m. 9d.
Howard Sacwright,
August 13, 1870,
3 m. 13 d.
Catharine Sandman,
June 22, 1830,
28 y.
John Scott,
October 16, 1749,
61 y.
Hannah Scott,
August 9, 1792,
26 y. 5 m.
Thomas Scott,
June 4, 1799,
22 y. 8 m.
Isaac Scott,
May 12, 1830,
9 y.
Ellen L. Selser,
June 16, 1867,
14 y. 8 m. 19 d.
Robert Service,
August 29, 1847, 64 y.
Thomas Service,
December 22, 1858, 37 y.
Hannah Service,
May 8, 1863,
77 y.
Robert Service,
May 2, 1873,
55 y.
Ida Silvey,
December 6, 1864,
1 y. 8 m. 5d.
Harriet Silvey,
September 1, 1868,
31 y.
Andrew Simpson,
October 9, 1783,
46 y.
John Simpson,
August 16, 1804,
66 y.
Hannah Simpson,
January 22, 1821, 79 y.
Pleasant Simpson,
June 25, 1835,
64 y.
Elizabeth Simpson,
March 12, 1836, 52 y.
John Simpson,
June 9, 1839,
77 y. 5 m. 9 d.
Job Simpson,
June 9, 1863,
70 y. 1 m. 16 d.
Anna Snyder Slack,
November 15, 1870,
24 y.
Mary Smith,
1756.
Benjamin Snodgrass,
June 2, 1792, 39 y.
4 m. 9 d.
75 y. 23 d.
September 17, 1813,
344
APPENDIX.
NAME.
TIME OF DEATH.
AGE.
James Snodgrass,
March 5, 1809, 75 y.
Ann Snodgrass,
October 21, 1811, 74 y.
Mary Snodgrass,
August 29, 1818,
36 y. 9 m.
Isaac C. Snowden, M. D.,
July 21, 1828,
37 y.
Maria M. Snowden,
November 21, 1843, 47 y.
William Spear,
March 22, 1745, 9 y. 3 m.
Mary Jane Spencer,
January 20, 1840, 2 y.
Sarah Ann Spencer,
March 7, 1841,
26 y.
Ann Spencer,
May 26, 1844,
70 y.
Amos Spencer,
May 11, 1851,
79 y.
Isaac W. Spencer,
February 14, 1868,
53 y.
James Spencer,
December 21, 1871,
61 y. 11 m. 22 d.
Mary M. Steinmetz,
August 16, 1858,
7 m.
Mary Stewart,
February 2, 1749,
29 y.
Robert Stewart,
August 24, 1767, 50 y.
John Stewart,
August 24, 1767, 25 y.
Mary Stinson,
September 19, 1819, 63 y.
Mary Stinson,
October 10, 1830,
39 y.
2 d.
Elijah Stinson,
March 5, 1840,
89 y.
Elizabeth Stinson,
February 17, 1849,
66 y.
John Stinson,
August 5, 1865,
83 y.
Jane Stinson,
April 13, 1876,
81 y.
Elizabeth Stinson,
September 20, 1868,
79 y.
Mary L. Stirk,
December 26, 1847,
2 y. 4 m.
Catharine Stirk,
June 7, 1866,
59 y. 6 m. 22 d.
Henry Stuckert,
January 16, 1836.
69 y.
6 d.
Elizabeth Stuckert,
August 30, 1844,
65 y. 5 m.
Frederick Stuckert,
September 27, 1865, 11 y.
Howard A. Swain,
October 25, 1861,
4 y. 3 m. 5 d.
Swain,
July 20, 1871,
2 m.
Samuel Taylor,
February 12, 1876, 81 y.
Benjamin Taylor,
January 3, 1825,
22 y.
Ann Taylor,
March 22, 1838,
25 y.
Jacob Taylor,
May 6, 1838,
73 y.
345
APPENDIX.
TIME OF DEATH.
AGE.
December 26, 1866, 59 y.
November 26, 1868,
99 y. 5m. 4 d.
May 6, 1745, 73 y.
May 7, 1753,
70 y.
October 4, 1828,
45 y.
August 29, 1768,
September 29, 1768,
73 y.
April 26, 1773, 4 y.
William Thompson,
January 21, 1807,
79 y. 6 m. 13 d.
Margaret Thompson, Eleanor Thompson,
November 15, 1809, 1838.
61 y.
Ann Thompson,
Margaret Thompson,
March 10, 1848, 47 y.
Robert Thompson,
July 10, 1849,
79 y.
Elizabeth D. Thompson,
March 22, 1856,
25 y. 10 m.
Lewis Thompson,
Susanna Thompson,
Deborah Titus,
October 11, 1825,
17 y. 10 m. 5 d.
Harriet J. Titus,
August 6, 1834,
1 y. 6 m. 10 d.
Henry T. Titus,
December 4, 1834,
23 y. 6 m. 29 d.
Rev. David Titus,
May 22, 1846,
25 y. 11 m. 29 d.
William Titus,
March 7, 1847,
· 75 y.
David Titus,
February 4, 1848, 85 y.
Sarah M. Titus,
April 5, 1848,
61 y. 6 m.
Euphemia J. Titus.
May 22, 1849,
20 y. 5 m. 1 d.
Mary Titus,
February 15, 1857, 1 y. 1 m.
Fanny Titus,
February 16, 1857, 2 y.
Seruch Titus,
July 8, 1856, 52 y.
Seruch Titus,
April 25, 1864,
23 y. 15 d.
Jane B. Titus,
May 24, 1864,
20 y.
Margaret M. Titus.
February 9, 1865,
4 y. 3 m. 25 d.
Edward Titus,
March 2, 1865,
19 y. 1 m. 10 d.
Hannah Titus,
Elwood G. Titus,
October 7, 1867,
24 y. 9im. 2 d.
NAME. Elizabeth Taylor, Phebe Taylor,
Rev. William Tennent,
Catharine Tennent, Rebecca Thomas, Jane Thompson, Elizabeth Thompson, John Thompson,
1 y. 10 m.
November 1, 1839, 63 y.
September 6, 1862, 20 y. 6 m.
January 22, 1869,
18 y. 5 m. 7 d.
March 5, 1852, 84 y.
Rebecca Titus,
346
APPENDIX.
NAME.
TIME OF DEATH.
AGE.
Wilmuth W. Titus,
July 13, 1871,
47 y. 8 m. 25 d.
Arcturus Todd,
December 19, 1814, 23 y.
Jane Todd,
September 19, 1821, 59 y .
Silas Todd,
December 4, 1824, 22 y.
John Todd,
June 3, 1838, 81 y.
James S. Todd,
August 19, 1847, 57 y.
Sarah Torbert,
December 4, 1845, 47 y.
Amos Torbert,
February 24, 1864,
71 y.
Thomas G. Torbert,
January 15, 1865, 34 y.
Josephine Trimmer,
December 30, 1866, 5 y. 1 m.
Jane G. Tryon,
July 31, 1870,
79 y.
Rachel H. Turner,
August 13, 1863,
40 y.
Isaac Van Buskirk,
April 4, 1865,
72 y. 9 m.
Jane Van Buskirk,
December 22, 1870, 58 y.
S. Van Buskirk,
December 24, 1874, 78 y.
Hannah Walton,
July 19, 1853,
4 y. 10 m.
William Walker,
October 1738, 66 y.
Ann Walker,
1750,
70 y.
Şarah Walker,
April 24, 1784,
78 y.
Richard Walker,
April 11, 1791,
89 y.
William Walker,
September 24, 1804,
58 y.
Rebecca Walker,
May 15, 1829,
83 y.
Mrs. Walker,
August 2, 1873,
60 y.
Adeline Walton,
April 27, 1802,
9 m. 27 d.
Isaac Walton,
February 21, 1873,
15 y. 7 m. 15 d.
John Watkins,
May 11, 1830,
33 y.
Christina Watkins,
July 29, 1852,
75 y.
Jane M. Watson,
April 23, 1826,
60 y.
Ella G. Weaver,
April 24, 1872,
2 m.
James Weir,
August 6, 1834, 78 y.
John Weir,
April 24, 1840, 87 y.
Mary Weir,
March 20, 1851, 87 y.
James Weir,
April 28, 1854,
67 y.
Rachel M. White,
October 18, 1847,
52 y.
347
APPENDIX.
NAME.
TIME OF DEATH. AGE.
Margaret B. Whitecar,
April 18, 1849, 31 y.
Caroline D. Whiting,
February, 1866, 46 y.
William Whittingham, Rebecca Whittingham,
January 12, 1817, 57 y.
September 8, 1818, 55 y.
Elizabeth Whitton,
November 3, 1838, 74 y.
Margaret Wiley,
June 12, 1851, 36 y.
1 m. 7 d.
Laura M. Wilgus,
Elmer E. Wilgus,
October 6, 1867,
11 m. 4 m.
H. W. Wilgus,
February 10, 1869,
34 y. 10 m. 14 d.
Rev. James P. Wilson, D.D., December 9, 1830,
61 y. 10 m.
Mary F. Wilson, May 14, 1833,
25 y.
Mary H. Wilson,
January 5, 1839,
73 y.
Susan F. Wilson,
March 30, 1839,
8 y. 11 m.
Elizabeth P. Wilson, March 20, 1850,
38 y.
Matthew Wilson, April 14, 1853,
46 y.
Anna G. Wilson,
November 27, 1855, 20 y.
Amos Winner,
October 11, 1862, 75 y.
Mary Winner,
October 20, 1870, 82 y.
Joanna Wright,
December 12, 1835,
23 y.
Samuel Wright,
March 14, 1836, 37 y.
Harriet C. Wright, April 6, 1837,
2 y. 6 m.
Anna M. Wright,
April 10, 1839, 1 y. 2 m.
Catharine Wright,
December 2, 1844,
36 y. 9 m. 29 d.
John Wright, May 15, 1845,
3 y. 5 m. 15 d.
Sarah Ann Wright,
October 19, 1852,
29 y. 5 m.
Elizabeth Wright,
May 25, 1855,
78 y. 7 m. 19 d.
Orilla M. Wright.
September 12, 1862, 11 y.
James A. Wright,
February 24, 1865, 45 y.
Byron H. Wright,
August 9, 1869,
23 y.
Stephen Wynkoop,
July 12, 1833,
24 y.
Elizabeth Wood,
February 22, 1874,
3 m.
Timothy Whiting,
May 1, 1874,
B. Franklin Wright,
March 6, 1876,
78 y. 67 y.
Robert Wilson,
July 24, 1830,
348
NAME. Helena Ann Yates, Ephraim A. Yates, Judson L. Yates. Margaret Yerkes, Hugh Young,
APPENDIX.
TIME OF DEATH.
AGE.
March 6, 1851,
22 y. 5 m. 14 d.
January 7, 1867,
22 y. 7 m.
December 19, 1865,
52 y. 4 m. 1 d.
May 10, 1749, 61 y.
W.
PART OF THE WILL OF REV. WILLIAM TENNENT, SR.
Found in a deed given to John Baldwin by Rev. Gilbert Tennent, Exe- cutor of his father's real estate, dated Feb. 28, 1746. The will was made Feb. 16, 1745.
" Item, I give and bequeath unto Katherine, my dearly beloved wife, all my moveable estate to be by her possessed and enjoyed, and appoint and constitute her my executrix of all my said move- able estate; so that she may at her death or any time before, give, devise, and dispose of the same, as she may see cause, to my dear sons, William and Charles Tennent, or to any of their children ; and also I will that my said well beloved wife have, use, occupy, and enjoy all the rents, issues, and profits whatsoever, that may and shall arise or accrue from my plantation, whereon I now live ; or from any part thereof, and that during her natural life ;- And then I will, that my well beloved son, Gilbert Tennent, whom I constitute and appoint my only and sole Executor of this my last will and Testament, as concerning all my plantation, messuage, and tract of land, so that I authorize and appoint him to sell and lawfully to convey away the same."
It is added in the Deed, "And then the said Testator directed how the money arising by such sale shall be divided or distributed."
349
APPENDIX.
X.
HISTORY
OF THE
HARTSVILLE LADIES' AID SOCIETY.
Organized Nov. 15, 1861.
BY MRS. E. NICHOLS, SECRETARY.
[The members of the Soldiers' Aid Society, a history of whose operations follows, were from different denominations of Chris- tians, most of them being connected with the two branches of Neshaminy Church. The President was a member of the Baptist Church of Davisville, Bucks Co.]
The firing on Fort Sumter, which so thoroughly aroused the peo- ple of the United States, reached our little village and awaked the patriotic spirit, which the people had inherited from their Revolutionary fathers. A firm determination to sustain the gov- ernment by force of arms pervaded every heart; but there seemed no immediate call for action. A company left Doylestown for the three months' service ; this was the nearest point where military movements were made, and the equipping and sending forth of this company required but little sacrifice on the part of our quiet people. It was not until after the terrible battle of "Bull Run" and the hospitals at Washington were filled with our sick and wounded soldiers, that an appeal was made for clothing and delicacies,
350
APPENDIX.
which reached us. In August, by special effort, a box of clothing and one of delicacies were prepared and forwarded to Washington, but as yet the ladies had not felt the necessity of forming them- selves into a society for continued and uniform action. Most per- sons had looked upon the war as of short duration, and although all were ready to work, those nearest the seat of war were con- sidered the most favorably situated to show their patriotism and sympathy with the soldiers.
In September, 1861, the 104th Regiment was mustered into ser- vice in Doylestown, and numbered in it were the sons and brothers of those in our immediate vicinity. The war seemed nearer now ; "ought we not to be doing something for our soldiers?" was asked by many of our ladies. In October, the 104th Regiment (still encamped in Doylestown) proposed to march to Hartsville and spend the day in the neighborhood. Although but two days notice was given of the plan, a place was prepared for their reception-a large assembly gathered to welcome them-and a sumptuous repast prepared in a creditable manner; and to add interest to this unusual occasion, speakers were invited to address them. Most of the clergymen in the neighborhood were present, and Rev. J. Bel- ville then residing in Hartsville, though away from home, hastened his return, that he might encourage these " citizen soldiers " to go forward to do battle for their country.
Rather surprised at what could be accomplished in a short time, when there was concert of action, the ladies began to look about to see how they might form a society and work hand in hand for the comfort of the soldiers already in the field, little dreaming then what a mighty work needed to be performed by the loyal ladies of our land.
Public notice was given from the pulpits that a meeting was to be held (in the lecture room of the Neshaminy Church on November 6th, 1861) with a view of forming a society to work for our soldiers. This preliminary meeting was well attended. Rev. D. K. Turner was appointed president and Rev. M. Long secretary. The pro- ceedings were commenced with prayer. Divine blessing was in- voked upon the new organization about to be formed, and upon
351
APPENDIX.
those whom it designed to benefit. All the meetings of the society in evening session were ever afterward closed with prayer, when there was a clergyman present, and sometimes by laymen when clergymen were not in attendance. No further steps could be taken in this meeting than to appoint a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws, to report at the next meeting to be held in the same place November 15th. The committee appointed were Mrs. M. Long, Mrs. D. K. Turner, Mr. N. J. Rubinkam. At the second meeting General John Davis was called to the chair. The constitu- tion and by-laws, with some amendments, were adopted. At the third meeting it was resolved from motives of convenience, to hold the subsequent meetings in the lecture room of the church in Hartsville.
The meetings of the society were well attended during the entire winter. They were the principal resort of all the young people of the neighborhood. In the evening it was frequently much crowded. The gentlemen did not aid much with the sewing, but caused the time to pass quickly, while the young ladies plied the needles. The gentlemen were always ready where their services could be of avail-in forwarding boxes, collecting supplies, &c. The young ladies of Roseland Institute all became members, and worked with a will. During the winter the Secretary recorded the names of 141 members. 82 active members, 53 honorary and 6 life mem- bers. A person became life member by paying $5.00.
The first work commenced was mittens for the members of the 104th Regiment, and before Christmas over 100 pairs of woolen mittens had been knit and forwarded. Company M, of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, of which Captain A. Craven had command, was next supplied. From that time the attention of the society was wholly devoted to the wants of the sick and wounded. The first box that was prepared, was forwarded to the Sanitary Com- mission of Philadelphia. The Ladies' Aid of Philadelphia, at this time called most urgently for the assistance of the society, and most of the boxes for several months were forwarded to that. organization. An extract from a letter of the secretary of the Ladies' Aid will show why their efforts were devoted to that society.
352
APPENDIX.
The letter is a reply to one addressed by the corresponding secre- tary to Mrs. Harris, (their worker among the soldiers,) requesting some account of her visits to the sick.
MY DEAR MRS. NICHOLS :
Please excuse my failure to acknowledge your favor of Jan. 18th, earlier. My days have been wholly given to the service of our soldiers. Returning late in the evenings from the camps, fatigued and weary, more in heart, and head, than in body, I could not write in a manner to give satisfaction, and so postponed reply- ing to any letters until I could give a day to the work-this could not be done so long as I was within visiting distance of the Regi- mental Hospitals. I will give you a sketch of a part of last week's work in a hurried manner, and will beg you not to criticise style or manner of execution. Monday, Jan. 13th. Hearing of much suffering and death among some regiments of sharp shooters encamped north of the Capital, filled our carriage with shirts, bed ticks, carpet shoes, handkerchiefs, bed clothing, expectorant medi- cines, cocoa, corn starch, rags, wine, butter and eggs, and went on our sad errand, found much sickness, the surgeons only two for 1500 men, not all sick, but requiring oversight-weary and worn, almost ready to give up their work. Measles had come amongst them, prostrating some hundred of the soldiers ; the attack, in most cases, mild in the beginning, but in consequence of neglect, or the difficulty of procuring necessary clothing, or other means of pre- caution against cold, terminating in pneumonia, typhoid fever or malignant sore throat. Some thirty have gone beyond the reach of human sympathy or care. Passing a tent, the Doctor (a kind- hearted and good man) raised the canvas door and looking in expressed surprise to find no occupants-it was the dead tent. The guard replied, "They have just carried out two, and a third is lying in his tent." When I tell you that these regiments are com- posed of the fairest flowers of the north, you will have some idea of the feelings, and thoughts, that chased through our hearts and heads, on witnessing such scenes. There is some mismanagement and that very palpable. Attention of leading benevolent men has been given to these regiments and we hope improvement will soon follow, but who can bring back our dead soldiers? Do not think such scenes are of common occurrence, they are not-suffering there is, but not springing from neglect. Our surgeons and officers generally consider the sick and do what they can, with the means at hand, to promote their health and comfort. Everywhere we see
-
353
APPENDIX.
the want of good cooks. The diet after all is the main thing- better be without surgeons than without good nurses and cooks. Visited three other hospitals, leaving such articles as were needed, if on hand; if not, we took lists of things absolutely necessary to the comfort of the sick. Among them were cough medicines, cocoa, spit-cups, feeding cups, tea-spoons, bed pans, &c., &c. Returned on Tuesday to an hospital visited the day previous, was told a lad from Maine wished to see me. His first question was, "Do you think I can be saved?" "Yes, my boy, the blood of Jesus Christ, His son, cleanses from all sin, only look to Jesus. He is able and willing to save." Gave him a card, containing that precious hymn, "Just as I am," on one side, and some scripture passages, which have comforted so many of our soldiers in death. When I saw him again, he was trusting in Jesus, still living when I left Washington, hope he will live with Jesus forever. On Tuesday, the nurse called my attention to another lad from Reading, Pa., who had a few minutes before been brought in. Cannot forget the anxious expression of the dear fellow as we repeated some precious portions as food for thought ! He was greatly agitated and told me as I went to him, "I am very sick and oh ! so scared," tried to soothe him. He caught up the verses of scripture and said, " I learned them in Sunday School." Had to leave the poor boy, and when we returned two days after, he had gone Home as we humbly hope to Jesus. Other scenes of the same kind are constantly occurring, still our soldiers are in fine spirits and usual health.
With regard to all your co-laborers,
Yours, in the good work,
MRS. JOHN HARRIS.
Although the constitution of the society required a meeting but once a fortnight, yet the interest manifested demanded weekly meetings, both afternoon and evening, and when there was an urgent appeal for supplies, and there was a desire of forwarding a box immediately, or when there was quilting to be done, the ladies assembled in the morning and worked industriously until 9 o'clock in the evening. A box of dry goods was prepared every month, and with it generally was sent a box of dried rusk or of delicacies.
The society had scarcely commenced its operations, until anxiety was felt as to how the treasury was to be replenished. The monthly stipend was far too small for the demands upon it. A
354
APPENDIX.
proposition was offered for each one, who felt disposed, to give a dollar. The next proposition was lectures for the benefit of the treasury. Rev. Messrs. Long, Turner and Wood were appointed a committee to secure lecturers. Rev. Mr. Wadsworth was first in- vited. He declined lecturing, but was willing to preach a sermon. He preached in the "Neshaminy Church " on January 9th, 1862. There were two lectures delivered in the " Hartsville Church " during the winter, one by President Allen, of Girard College, and the other by Ex-Governor Pollock, of Pennsylvania, all of which were highly entertaining and acceptable to the audiences assembled. Collections were taken up on the occasions of these lectures, but the treasury was not supplied in accordance with the expectations of the society. A committee of gentlemen was appointed to solicit contributions, who performed their part well and added $100 to the treasury.
On the evening of the 22d of February, the society was enter- tained by the reading of "Washington's Farewell Address " and singing of the "Star Spangled Banner."
After the battle of Fair Oaks, many of the wounded were brought to Philadelphia, and nursed in St. Joseph's Hospital. A large quantity of provisions and delicacies were sent to the hospital for their benefit.
At the meeting of July 4th, the manner of increasing the funds was again brought before the society. A mass meeting with the sale of refreshments, was discussed and considered favorably. On July 28th, a meeting of all the members of the society, and all interested in its success, was called "to take measures for holding a Mass Meeting to secure funds in aid of the society, and to promote an interest in the community in enlistment to fill the thinned ranks of the army, and meet the call of the President for 300,000 new troops." To carry out the arrangements for this meeting, fourteen separate committees were appointed, who performed will- ingly and efficiently the duties assigned them, and secured the success of the undertaking. The meeting was held in the grove of R. H. Darrah, August 21, 1862. Judge Knox of the Supreme Court, and Attorney General of Pennsylvania, Morton McMichael,
355
APPENDIX.
Esq., of Philadelphia, and Colonel John W. Forney were secured as speakers. "Parson " Brownlow, though confidently expected, was obliged to be absent. The Hatborough Brass Band contributed the music.
This Mass Meeting was a grand success. The weather was warm, and the roads dusty, but the people of the surrounding neighbor- hood and from more distant parts of the country swarmed to the place of gathering in numbers that seemed to have no end. A large stand had been erected for the speakers and for the brass band. There were tables loaded with refreshments of various kinds, and attended by ladies, who had business on hand in abund- ance. The ice cream table did the most active business: Rev. J. Belville, the firm friend of the society from its origin, was ap- pointed President; Rev. M. Long and Mr. Geo. Jamison, Secretaries. Nine soldiers of the war of 1812, who were present, were appointed Vice Presidents. The following resolutions, which will show the spirit which actuated the men and women who worked so hard on that day, were read and adopted :
RESOLUTIONS OF MASS MEETING, AUGUST 21, 1862.
Resolved, That civil government is of God, and that obedience to its legitimate authority is one of the first solemn duties of man ; that the government of the United States is the most legitimate government on the earth, originating not in any usurpation of an individual or of a class, but in the voluntary delegation of power by those to whom alone God has given the right to exert or dele- gate it, viz., the people; that therefore the American Constitution as it is (until amended, as is provided), is God's law to the American people ; that as a people we owe devout thanksgiving to God, not only for the excellence of the Government under which we live, and for the wonderful series of providences, by which its privileges were at first secured and have been continued to us, but for the fidelity with which it has been ordinarily and is now administered ; and that to this Government it is the duty of every citizen of the whole United States to render true allegiance, and to give his means, his influence, and if need be, his blood, to the maintenance of its authority.
Resolved, That the so-called Southern Confederacy is a rebellious
356
APPENDIX.
usurpation both causeless and wanton ; that it is not justified nor in the least extenuated by any pretended wrong ever suffered by the citizens of the Southern States at the hands of the Govern- ment, against which they have rebelled; and that therefore the war inaugurated by the Southern Secession against the United States, is an atrocious crime against Heaven and earth, which should bring down the judgment of God, and the execration of man upon every citizen of the North or South, of our own or other lands, who aids, abets, or sympathizes with the same.
Resolved, That it is the duty of the Government to maintain its authority by force, not only for the preservation of its integrity and of the rights and liberties of its own citizens, but for the mainte- nance of the great principles of self-government and the rights of men, now imperilled by the most deadly assaults they have ever sustained at the hands of despotic power; and that to this end it is the duty of the people to respond with cheerfulness to every de- mand of the Government for means and men until the last vestige of rebellion is swept from the land, and the government of the United States is restored to its wonted integrity, and that all resist- ance by word or deed to necessary taxation or draft, though not so daring, is as iniquitous as avowed rebellion.
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