28 CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 



ing that the use of the phrase, "the people," was unknown in any charter. 

 The concession, however, had been granted, and it remained until a cen- 

 tury later, when the evacuation of our shores by the Royal armies left us 

 to perfect the sentiment and power in the Great P^ederal Charter that en- 

 sures liberty and protection. The careful student of history will never re- 

 gard this concession of a Representative Assembly as voluntary on the part 

 of the Duke. It was forced from him against his inclinations by the per- 

 sistent efforts of the colonists in this County. That the resistance of the 

 settlers, and their constant demand for representation, wrought upon the 

 fears of the Duke, and that he acquiesced in their solicitations, detracts 

 nothing from the merit of the liberal movement here, and in no respect 

 creates any claim to generous recognition on his behalf 



The strong qualities of character displayed by our forefathers are dis-. 

 cernible in their descendants throughout the two hundred years succeeding 

 the event we commemorate. No County in the State surpassed this in its 

 bold utterances for freedom from the Mother country at the outset of the 

 Revolution, and none suffered more severely for its patriotism during that 

 period. 



The administration of justice has blended mercy with vigor. The 

 laws have received their proper enforcement, but freed from the manifesta- 

 tion of personal prejudice or power. The peaceful disposition of the 

 population has afforded few opportunities for violence, and small inclina- 

 tion to personal disputes. In 1820 Dr. Dwight assures us that no lawyer 

 had been able to support himself in this County upon the fruits of his pro- 

 fession. Instances exist of sessions of the Court with no litigation to en- 

 gage its judicial functions. 



The temple of justice has been maintained in purity and order. Let 

 us not overlook those who have presided at its altars or ministered in its 

 sacred rites. Silas Wood, historian, scholar and statesman, who from long 

 and efficient labors in the National Councils won the affection and esteem 

 of the leaders of the day, was at the head of the bar in my youth. Strong, 

 tenacious of memory, replete with 'law learning, adorned the Bench. 

 Floyd, chivalrous and genial, was here. Rose, brilliant and fascinating; 

 Buffet, keen, logical and sagacious; Wickham, deliberate and laborious; 

 and he, over whose new made grave the cold November winds sweep the 

 falling leaves; he whose heart was in this celebration, and who through a 

 life-time of physical suffering did his work without murmur, was also here. 

 Were it decorous to touch upon the living, bright examples of professional 

 merit and distinction could be freely gathered, but of these we are not at 

 this hour to speak. 



We have traced the formation of the County to its sources, and have 

 found it consecrated by sacrifices and ennobled by devotion. Let us here, 

 in commemorating its origin, enter into a sacred pledge that we will trans- 

 mit it to our descendants undiminished in its confines, enlarged in its civ- 

 ilization, more memorable than ever in the honor of its sons and the vir- 

 tues of its daughters. 



