USA > Pennsylvania > Martial deeds of Pennsylvania, Vol. 1 > Part 3
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But though jealous in defending and preserving the integrity of its territory, no restriction was laid upon emigration, and popu- lation flowed in rapidly from every quarter. The sturdy Scotch- Irish, descendants of the Roundheads of the English Revolution, settled in the delightful Cumberland Valley, and pushing across the Alleghenies, filled many of the rich intervales and fertile roll- ing grain lands of the west. The well-schooled and industrious German Protestants sat down upon the limestone territory of the coast range, but many families wended their way into almost every nook and corner of the Commonwealth. The Catholic ele- ment, both Irish and Continental, later in coming, for the most part found a habitation in the mining and manufacturing districts, and did not, consequently, acquire the rich farming lands. From New England came the industrious, frugal sons of the Pilgrims, who chiefly chose the grazing lands of the north and the north- west.
There came also, near the close of the seventeenth and early in the eighteenth century, sects akin, in their principles of peace
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and non-resistance, to the Quakers. Chief among these were the Mennonists, or German Baptists. They had been persecuted and driven about from one country to another in Europe on account of their religious opinions. Finally, attracted by the reports of freedom and contentment among the colonists in Pennsylvania, they emigrated in large numbers, and found rest at last and full liberty of worship. The Dunkards also came, and subsequently founded houses at Ephrata bearing some resemblance to monas- teries and convents.
From all of these varied nationalities and diverse religious sects have come the present population of Pennsylvania, a people dis- similar in many respects from their progenitors, and yet preserving some of the family types. One of the most potent influences in developing and giving direction to their character has been its system of education. Penn had a clear idea of State device when he put in the organic law, that provision should be made for teaching the poor gratis, thus bringing it within the power of all to be educated. Early in the history of the colony the Society of Friends established a public school in Philadelphia. In 1731, inspired by Franklin, fifty persons subscribed forty shillings each for the establishment of a public library, who, in 1742, were in- corporated as the Library Company of Philadelphia, now in pos- session of one of the great collections of the land, fortunate and prosperous. In 1749, under the patronage and support of some of the leading men of the province, was established an Academy and Charity School, which, though humble and unpretentious, was the germ of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1753, it was in- corporated and endowed by the Proprietors, and two years later was authorized to confer degrees under the title of the "College, Academy and Charity School of Philadelphia." From this time until the close of the century the energies of the people seem par- ticularly to have been directed to founding and making some provision for the support of colleges; Dickinson College having been chartered in 1783, Franklin-since Franklin and Marshall -in 1787, and Jefferson in 1802. To preside over these men of great learning and erudition were tempted across the ocean. Notable among them were William Smith, LL. D., President of the University of Pennsylvania, and Charles Nisbet, LL.D., 3
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President of Dickinson College. The pupils of these men gave a great impulse to liberal education in the next generation, the Rev. Doctor Brown, a pupil of Nisbet, becoming President of Jefferson.
But the colleges, while they gave a high degree of culture to a few of the favored, failed to reach directly the masses. The popu- lation was as yet far too sparse to admit of a general system of common schools. Hence, to meet the difficulty so far as practica- ble, County Academies were chartered, and direct appropriations of money varying from two to five thousand dollars for the erec- tion of buildings at the county seats, and grants of lands for their support, were secured. Academies in forty-one counties were established during the first thirty years of this century. As the population increased, and spread over a wider area, it became necessary, in order to carry out the wise design of the founder, that more enlarged provision for instruction should be made. The colleges and county academies answered well the purpose of their foundation ; but that class which was most in need of in- struction, and which if allowed to increase generation after gen- eration without any facilities for learning would become dangerous to society, was still unprovided for. Hence, in 1809, a law was enacted providing for the "education of the poor gratis." The assessors in their annual valuations of property were required to enroll the names of indigent parents and the number of children. The tuition of all such was paid out of the county treasury. But this was only a partial remedy ; for many parents, possessed of the natural pride and spirit of freemen, were unwilling to allow their names to be recorded among the most abject class. Besides the adoption of even this system was not general, it being in many places entirely disregarded, and in others complied with only upon the application of societies or individuals. Emigrants from the nationalities of Europe settled in colonies, and continuing to speak their native tongue, insisted on having their children taught in that language. German newspapers were published, for this was the language most prevalent among continental emigrants; but there were few books, and in the midst of constant and harassing labor in clearing away the forests and establishing for themselves abiding places, education was attended with many difficulties.
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The consequence was that the number of those who could neither read nor write rapidly increased. A mental lethargy was sinking down upon the people which was alarming. The generation which succeeded had far less culture than that which had emi- grated from the old world. 1657147
During the administration of George Wolf, that sturdy Gover- nor, by the earnest appeals of his messages, aided by the efforts of broad-minded legislators, prominent among whom were Thad- deus Stevens, Samuel Breck, and Dr. George Smith, succeeded in arousing public sentiment, and in securing the passage of a law, in 1834, providing for the establishment of a general system of common schools. This law was amended and vastly improved in 1836, under the administration of Governor Joseph Ritner, a man no less determined in his purpose, or warm in his support of the system than his predecessor. He was greatly aided in this by the counsel of his eminent Secretary and ex-officio Superintendent of Common Schools, Hon. Thomas H. Burrowes; and from that period dates an era of general awakening upon the subject of popular education, which has not abated to this day. At first the people were allowed to vote on the adoption or rejection of the law, that it might in reality be popular, and might win its way to favor by its intrinsic merits. In the first year, of 907 districts, only 536 adopted it. But the number steadily increased, and in 1841, out of 1072 districts, it was in successful operation in 917. It is at present universal, with 16,305 schools, and an aggregate of 834,020 scholars.
About the year 1850, County Teachers' Institutes were com- menced, and two years later the State Teachers' Association. In 1854, the school law was revised, and the County Superintendency engrafted upon it. An elaborate School Architecture was pre- pared and published at the expense of the State, and presented to each district. The Pennsylvania School Journal was made the organ of the School Department, and sent at the expense of the State to each School Board. In 1857, the office of State Superin- tendent, which had previously been exercised by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, was established, giving it far greater power and efficiency. In 1859, a law providing for the foundation of twelve Normal schools, for the training of teachers, in as many
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districts into which the State was divided, planned upon the most enlarged and liberal basis, was enacted.
All these various agencies for training and instructing the rising generation are in full play. Not a nook nor a corner of this great Commonwealth now exists where these are not felt, and their humanizing and benignant influence is not exerted. There is no excuse for a single child throughout its broad domain grow- ing up to man's estate without being instructed in reading and writing, and all the common branches of education.
The original frame of government, drawn by the hand of Penn, and discussed and amended in Council from time to time, was most liberal and just. In his first communication to the colonists after receiving his charter, he had said : " You are now fixed at the mercy of no Governor who comes to make his fortune great. You shall be governed by laws of your own making, and live a free. and, if you will, a sober and industrious people. I shall not usurp the right of any or oppress his person. God has furnished me with a better resolution, and given me his grace to keep it." What Penn here promised, he faithfully kept ; for it was not in the power of human nature to be more tender of his people, or more willing to listen to their advice in moulding and perfecting a form of government for their just guidance.
That Penn should be a feudal lord, and at the same time the executive of a democracy, seems incongruous. It was a defect in the system, which resulted in no evil while he governed; for he always appeared in the character of the executive of a democracy, voluntarily yielding all the claims of a feudal sovereign. But when he was no more, it was the occasion of endless bickerings between the proprietary Governors and the Council, the popular legislative branch.
On the 15th of July, 1776, the Provincial Convention which had been chosen to frame a new Constitution, met and elected Benjamin Franklin President. It at once assumed the govern- ment of the colony, and vested it until the new Constitution should be completed, and power organized under it, in a Council of Safety, composed of twenty-five members, of whom Thomas Rittenhouse was chairman. The American Revolution was in progress, and it was dangerous to attempt to stem the tide of
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popular will. The proprietary Government remonstrated against the action of the Convention, but submitted to what it had no power to control, and soon found its authority, which, for nearly a century had borne sway, at an end. The new organic law was completed in September, and on the 4th of March, 1777, the elec- tions having been held in the meantime, was put in operation. It provided for the election of an annual Assembly, and a Supreme Executive Council, to consist of twelve persons, the President of which was virtually Governor. Thomas Wharton, Jr., who had presided in the Council of Safety, was chosen first President, and was inaugurated with imposing ceremonies, amidst the ringing of bells and the booming of cannon. In 1790, a new Constitution was framed, which provided for the election of a Governor by the people, and two deliberative bodies-a House and Senate. It was again revised in 1838, during the administration of Governor Ritner, and while this is being written, another revision, made during the year 1873, is being promulgated for a popular vote in December. To break up "omnibus legislation" was one of the chief objects in the revision of '38, and that now before the people is understood to be to prevent special legislation, curtail the power of great corporations, and to secure to the people of the Common- wealth immunity from unjust and exorbitant charges for trans- portation on railroads and canals.
The founder of Pennsylvania was a Quaker, sincerely devoted to the cause of peace and amity among men and nations. His mild and gentle manners, the benignity of his countenance, and sincere benevolence manifested towards the Indians, secured the infant colony from their savage attacks, from which other colonies suffered unutterable horrors. During the early years of its his- tory the peace element was predominant, though the great pros- perity of the city of Philadelphia and the colony at large attracted men of all religious beliefs, many of whom cared little whether a peace or a war policy prevailed, provided it insured safety to the State. Hence the peace party had frequent struggles to maintain its ascendancy in later years, the Governor being against it. Even during Penn's lifetime Governors were appointed who were opposed to the principles of the Quakers, and strange as it may seem, of all his sons and grandsons who, after his death, came
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to rule in the colony, not one preserved the religion of the founder. In several instances the Governors attempted to coerce the Assembly into their policy; but the Quaker party, which controlled in it, had their revenge by refusing to vote money to carry on the government, or even for the Governor's salary. Indeed, the withholding of appropriations became their favorite weapon.
In 1744, war was declared between France and Great Britain, and the wave of hostilities soon reached the colonies of the two nations, planted side by side in the New World. The Indians were nominally a neutral party between them, but generally inclined to the side which could show the highest and most valua- ble pile of presents, and ready at any time to take up the hatchet upon small provocation. War had no sooner broken out, than like the wild beast, aroused by the taste of blood, the Indian became troublesome. Governor Thomas, then in the guberna- torial chair, called out the militia, who came to the number of ten thousand men, of one regiment of whom Franklin was made Colonel. They were obliged to arm themselves at their own expense. The dominant party in the Legislature would vote no money except to the Crown of England, to which it looked for protection and safety.
In October, 1748, peace was concluded by the treaty of Aix-la- Chapelle, between France and England; but the peace there declared did not reach the New World, the French covertly striving to connect the Mississippi Valley with the Canadas, by a chain of forts stretching along the Ohio river, up the Allegheny and the Venango, to Le Boeuf, where the French commandant had taken post, and was secretly inciting the Indians to hostilities against the English. The policy of Pennsylvania towards the Indians had always been one of conciliation. But the mild and peaceful sway of Penn had been gradually obliterated, and in place of it had come a system of subsidy, which in time grew to be burdensome. Other colonies spent money in large amounts to fight the savages; but Pennsylvania employed the means that would have been used in repelling hostile attacks in providing for their physical comfort, and the gratification of their taste for trinkets and showy apparel. The Indians had early asked to
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meet the agents of the Government to brighten the chain of friendship, which meant that presents would be acceptable to them. Finding the Government willing in that way to purchase peace and amity, they found frequent occasions for brightening the chain. Indeed, the links of that chain must have been com- posed of imperishable stuff, to have endured for the hundred years that it was wrought upon. At a council held at Albany, in 1747, in which Maryland and Virginia were induced to join, Pennsylvania alone distributed goods to the amount of one thou- sand pounds.
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When it was finally discovered from the report of Washington, who had been sent in the fall of 1753, by Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, to remonstrate with the French, at Fort Le Bœuf, near Lake Erie, for encroaching upon English territory, that the colonies and military forces of that nation were designing to take and hold the entire Valley of the Mississippi and its tributaries, the British Ministry determined to resist. Prevented now by the proprietary instructions from appropriating money, the Assembly resolved to borrow five thousand pounds on its own account, for the support of the troops, of whom three thousand had been called from Pennsylvania. General Braddock was sent with two regiments of the line from Cork, Ireland, to Alexandria, Virginia, and having been joined by the colonial forces and a wagon train secured in Pennsylvania through the enterprise of Franklin, moved across the country early in March, 1755, towards the present site of Pittsburg, where the French, under Contrecœur, had fortified the year before, and were now in forcible possession. When arrived within seven miles of that place, Braddock was attacked by the French and Indians, who awaited their approach in ambush, and after a sanguinary struggle, in which Braddock was killed, and more than three-fourths of his officers and half his men were killed or wounded, his command was completely routed. Washington, who accompanied Braddock as an aid, showed the greatest coolness and courage, having two horses killed under him, and four bullet holes through his coat, but himself escaped unharmed, and brought off the column.
The frontier now lay all exposed, and the Indians, incited and supported by the French, pushed the work of devastation. A
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chain of forts and block houses was erected and manned along the line of the Kittatinny hills, under the direction of Franklin, in January, 1756. Governor Morris, seeing his people powerless, and the work of slaughter going on, declared war against them, though in opposition to a vigorous protest from the Quakers in the Assembly, who, going among the savages, by mild and inof- fensive modes, finally won their hearts and induced them to bury the hatchet. But the quiet was only temporary, the English being determined to dispossess the French, and the Indians being easily drawn into the conflict. So aggravating had their conduct become, and so sickening their butcheries, that Governor John Penn, son of Richard, and grandson of the founder, in July, 1764, was induced to offer the following rewards, far removed from the spirit of his revered grandfather, but the more excusable from the terrible exigences of the occasion : "For every male above the age of ten years, captured, $150; scalped, being killed, $134 ; for every female Indian enemy, and every male under the age of ten years, captured, $130; for every female above the age of ten years, scalped, being dead, $50."
When the Revolution came, in 1775, the pacific influence of the Quakers, as well as that of the proprietors, was overborne. Though some, in their religious zeal, adhered to the royalist cause, yet there was as stern and just a patriotism in the breasts of certain members of that Society as of any other in the Province ; and when the soldiers of Washington, half starved and indiffer- ently clad in wintry weather, were shivering upon the plains of Trenton, or by the banks of Delaware, it was the hard money of the provident Quakers of Philadelphia that brought comfort to those heroic men. General Mifflin, one of the foremost in the patriot army, was a Quaker. Washington, having been driven from Long Island, from Harlem, and from White Plains, retired through New Jersey and across the Delaware. Suddenly recross- ing this stream, now at flood tide, and filled with floating ice, on the night of the 25th of December, 1776, he struck a heavy blow at Trenton, and followed it up at Princeton. This boldness and vigor on the part of the American leader, caused Lord Howe to pursue a cautious policy, and put an end to his project of cross- ing the Delaware and occupying Philadelphia. It also enabled
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Congress, which, in expectation of that event, had, on the 20th of December, assembled at Baltimore, to return to Philadel- phia.
On the 11th of September, 1777, Lord Howe, who had gone in transports to the mouth of the Delaware with a large army, but who had entered the Chesapeake instead, and debarking, had commenced the march across the country, was met upon the Brandywine by Washington, and after a severe battle, which lasted nearly the entire day, the Americans were defeated, the youthful Lafayette, who had just joined the army, receiving there his first wound. Nine days after, on the 20th, a detachment of the British army, led by General Grey, under cover of profound darkness, stole noiselessly upon an encampment of the Americans, under General Anthony Wayne, near Paoli, Chester county, and having silenced the guards, put the soldiery to the sword. This is known as the Paoli massacre. On the following morning fifty- three of the patriots were buried in one grave, over which a neat marble monument was erected forty years later by the Republican Artillerists of Chester county. Howe now occupied Philadelphia, Congress moving first to Lancaster, and subsequently to York, where it passed the winter. Washington attacked the enemy's forces at Germantown, on the 3d of October, but was too weak to effect his purpose, and withdrew. Howe settled down in winter quarters in a luxurious city, while Washington, at Valley Forge, during a winter remarkable for the intensity of its cold, endured all the hardships and sufferings which privation in every form could entail. The fortunate result to the American forces under Gates, in September and October, at Saratoga, whereby Burgoyne, with his whole army, was forced to lay down his arms and sur- render, greatly strengthened the hope of the patriots, and induced the French to form an alliance with the colonies, which brought a powerful French fleet to American waters. The English Government, discovering that its destination was the mouth of the Delaware, dispatched a fast sailing vessel, bearing orders for the British army to immediately evacuate Philadelphia, which was accomplished before the arrival of the French.
On the day following the departure of the enemy, a regiment of veterans, under General Arnold, entered the city, and the
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population, who had been driven out, soon returned to their homes. "The damage done by the enemy," says Westcott, " had been as wanton as it was extensive. The royal troops found Philadelphia a cleanly and handsome city; they left it reeking with filth, ruinous, and desolate." Congress now came back from York, and the State Legislature from Lancaster, where the session of 1777-8 was held, and occupied their old quarters in the city.
Early in July, fiendish tories, with bands of Indians whose ferocity they had whetted, under the lead of one John Butler, entered the Wyoming Valley and commenced an indiscriminate slaughter. Most of the young men and the strong were absent in the army of Washington; but a small force under Colonel Zebulon Butler, a Butler of other blood, composed of boys and aged men, with a few veteran soldiers, went out to meet them. The Indians, under skilful leaders, were in superior numbers, and were triumphant, scattering the patriot band, which retired to Forty Fort, at Wilkes-Barre, where a stout resistance was made. Finally, they agreed to surrender on condi- tion of being assured of safety, and at evening the entire com- pany, men, women, and children, who had gathered in for miles, departed to their homes in fancied security. But the shades of night had no sooner settled down upon that beautiful valley than the sound of the war-whoop was heard, and the dusky savages were at their trade of blood. The shrieks of women and children as they were mercilessly slaughtered pierced the midnight air, and the lurid flames of burning cottages told that the work of devastation was complete. The few who escaped betook them- selves to the mountains, and perished miserably of hunger and fatigue.
After the close of the war, the Quaker element disappeared almost entirely from politics, being no longer known as a distinc- tive party either in the State or in the Legislature. Even during the Revolution, Pennsylvania, with the exception of two States, furnished a greater number of men in proportion to its enrolled population than any other. In the war of 1812, the volunteers from Pennsylvania swelled the ranks of the army, and were fore- most in constructing and manning the little fleet upon Lake Erie,
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which, under the gallant Perry, won the most complete victory of the war, and enabled him to send forth the message which thrilled the heart of every American-" We have met the enemy, and they are ours!" In the war with Mexico, the number of soldiers required of Pennsylvania was promptly supplied, and many who sought a place in the ranks of the departing regi- ments were denied.
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