GILMER COUNTY 267 



in 1818, commenced the practice of law at Lexington, and 

 soon acquired reputation as an able lawyer. The citizens of 

 Oglethorpe, relying upon his talents and patriotism, called upon 

 him to represent their interests in the State Legislature ; and 

 for two years he was their faithful representative. The jour- 

 nals of the house for that period will show that his course was 

 independent and fearless. By his exertions chiefly, a law was 

 enacted to prevent private banking, at that time a very sore 

 evil. Mr. Gilmer is entitled also to the praise of having made 

 the first effort which excited public attention to the impor- 

 tance of establishing an Appellate Court for the correction of 

 Errors. In 1820 he was elected to Congress, and again in 

 1824. In 1828 he was re-elected to Congress. He had left his 

 home for Washington city, when Governor Forsyth issued his 

 proclamation declaring his election, but failing to give notice 

 of his acceptance within the time required by law, Governor 

 Forsyth declared his appointment vacant, and ordered a new 

 election. Mr. Gilmer declined being a candidate. 



As a member of Congress, Mr. Gilmer distinguished him- 

 self by his ability and devotion to the interests of Georgia. 

 His speeches evince much clearness of understanding, and vi- 

 gour of intellect. We have now before us a speech which he 

 delivered in Congress when the Revolutionary Pension Bill 

 was before that body, which we think does him great honour. 

 We will give an extract from this speech. Mr, Gilmer said, 

 " that he did not understand that our debt of gratitude was 

 confined to those who performed military service. It extend- 

 ed to all who aided in the cause of freedom. Those men who 

 filled the civil departments of the government ; those who de- 

 fended our rights from 1763 to 1775, by exposing to the people 

 their violation by British laws, and taught them their value ; 

 who pointed out the consequences of submission to lawless 

 taxation, and the glorious consequences of successful resist- 

 ance — were they entitled to no gratitude for their services ? 

 Sir," said Mr. G., " the battle of Lexington and Bunker Hill 

 would never have been fought, but for the victory which vlme- 

 rican intelligence had gained over British sophisti^y. Upon 

 what principle was it, that the fatigues and exertions of the 

 body were to be paid for, and not those of the mind ? And 



