In order to test the public mind Messrs. Walton, Noble, Bullock and Houston published a notice over their proper signatures, calling a public meeting to be held at the Liberty Pole, Tondee's tavern, Savannah, on the 27th of July 1774 for the purpose of considering the constitutional rights and privileges of the American Colonies. This was the first Liberty pole planted in that state-the first meeting that was held on that subject. A large concourse of citizens assembled-an intense anxiety was manifest-hearts beat more quickly-the heaving bosom, the deep sigh, the quivering lip-all told that the meeting was one big with importance. Soon George Walton rose with a dignity peculiar to a man who knows he is right. With the profoundness of an able lawyer-the wisdom of a sage and the eloquence of a Henry-he portrayed American rights and British wrongs in such glowing colors that a stream of patriotic fire ran through the hearts of his audience that concentrated into a broad and unextinguishable flame. A committee was appointed to rouse the people to a sense of impending danger. Governor Wright, with his hireling phalanx, used great exertions to obtain a written pledge from the inhabitants of each parish to sustain the mother country and submit more implicitly to the yoke of bondage. Promises of redress were made only to be broken. But the fire of patriotism had commenced its insulating course. From Mr. Walton and his companions the burning flame spread from heart to heart, from sire to son, from parish to parish and rushing to a common centre rose in one broad sheet of light-illuminating the horizon of Liberty with cheering refulgence. Many of the more timid patriots of Georgia were long perched on the pivot of indecision. Self-interest and self-preservation caused many to remain inactive for a time-but what persuasion could not do the increasing insults from the crown officers soon effected and roused them to action. Mr. Walton did much to remove the incipient paralysis and produce a healthy tone in the body politic. All the other colonies had united in the glorious cause of freedom-that his state should form a doubtful rear-guard was irksome to his noble spirit. But he stood firm at his post. His exertions became equal to the herculean task he had undertaken. His powers of mind rose with the magnitude of the occasion-his eloquence and logic bore down every opponent who dared confront him.

When the cry of blood-of murder-was raised on the heights of Lexington and reverberated from hill to dale, it came upon the Georgians like a clap of thunder without a cloud. The people started from their reverie-burst the cords that bound them-rose in the majesty of their power-buckled on their armor and bid defiance to the British lion. In

May 1775 the Parish of St. Johns sent Lyman Hall to the Continental Congress and in July four colleagues took their seats with him. The Council of Safety was reorganized and vigorous measures adopted to resist the encroachments of imported dictators. In January 1776 the legislature appointed Mr. Bullock President of the Executive Council. He was a bold and active patriot and very obnoxious to the crown officers. Gov. Wright threatened the members with bayonets-the next hour he was their prisoner and permitted the liberty of his own house only upon his parol of honor. This he violated-fled on board the armed fleet in the harbor-commenced an attack upon the town-was badly whipped and glad to flee from the vengeance of an insulted and enraged people. British authority was at an end in that Province.

In February 1776 Mr. Walton was elected to the Continental Congress and entered upon the high duties of legislation. He was a bold and efficient advocate of every measure calculated to advance the cause of Independence. He warmly supported the Declaration of Rights and proved his sincerity by his vote and signature. Excepting 1779 when he was Governor of Georgia, he was a member of Congress until 1781. He was raised to work and being placed on many committees showed that he could still endure a vast amount of labor. When Congress was compelled to retire to Baltimore on the 13th of December 1776, Messrs. Morris, Clymer and Walton were left as superintendents to aid the army with $200,000 in funds. Mr. Walton was also a member of the Treasury Board and Marine Committee. In every station he ably discharged his duty. In 1777 he performed a very important act in the drama of life by marrying the accomplished daughter of Mr. Chamber.

In 1778 he became Col. Walton and behaved with great gallantry in the battle at Savannah between the American troops and the British. The regiment under his command made a desperate fight until their Colonel was severely wounded, fell from his horse and was taken prisoner. After his wound would permit he was sent to Sunbury and confined with the other prisoners. He was soon after exchanged and returned to Congress. In January 1783 he was appointed Chief Justice of Georgia. He also filled the gubernatorial chair a second time. He was one of the commissioners that effected a treaty with the Cherokee Indians. He discharged all the onerous duties imposed upon him with credit to himself and usefulness to his country. At one time he was involved in an apparent difficulty which was as singular as it proved harmless and lost none of its romance in the end. war a jealousy existed between the civil and military

During the

authority in

Georgia. Judge Walton was at the head of the former-Gen. McIntosh at the head of the latter. In 1779, when Judge Walton was first Governor of the state, a forged letter, purporting to be from the legislature, was forwarded to Congress requesting the removal of the General. The governor was charged with a knowledge of the transaction-positively denied it-but few if any believed it. It became a party mattera vote of censure was passed upon him by the same legislature that had appointed him Chief Justice the day previous-the Attorney General' was directed to institute proceedings against him in the Court over which he presided-the only one that had jurisdiction over the offence charged. That was the finale of the great bubble. It was more like a modern political demagogue compromise than any farce found in the history of that eventful period. It inflicted no injury on the fair fame of Judge Walton.

During his latter years Judge Walton confined his public duties to the Bench of the Superior Court. Through the intervals between terms he enjoyed the rich comforts of domestic life with his faithful wife and an only son. He was not wealthy-was free from avarice and was contented with the competence afforded by his public emoluments and the produce of a small plantation. He indulged in good living. Previous to his last illness he suffered much from the gout and other complicated derangements of his system. His useful career was closed on the 2d of February 1803.

Judge Walton was a close student during his whole life. He added to his large experience a general knowledge of the sciences and became an ornament to the judiciary of his state. He was a ready writer and very satirical upon vice and folly. He was of a warm temperament, resenting every indignity but honorable and just, moving within the orbit of consistency under all circumstances showing clearly that the wildest passions may be controlled by wise discretion. He was a stranger to disguise, ardent in his attachments, firm in his purposes, stern and reserved in his manners in general intercourse but free and familiar in the private circle with his friends. He was an open and manly opponent. He was fond of brevity in all things, systematic in his public and private arrangements and remarkable for punctuality.

Taken as a whole Judge Walton was one of the most useful men of his day and generation. His examples are worthy the imitation of the apprentice, the student, lawyer, judge and statesman. By the force of industry he rose from the humblest walks of life to the most dignified stations within the gift of his constituents. Youth and young men of America-ponder well the history of George Walton. Let it stimulate

you to embrace every opportunity for improvement-drink often and freely at the crystal fountain of useful knowledge now open to all. Remember, O! remember that you are the architects of your own fortunes. Soon the affairs of a mighty nation, the destiny of increasing millions will devolve upon you. Prepare yourselves to assume the high stations you must fill-for weal or for wo will depend upon the fitness you acquire. Enter upon the great theatre of action free from every vice-armed with every virtue. Then and then only will you be prepared to guard the dearest interest of our expanding republic and counteract the fearful evils that are put in motion by wild ambition, sordid selfishness and base intrigue. Upon you will soon depend the happiness of moving millions and of millions yet unborn. Nothing but death can relieve you from this high responsibility-when death calls you, be found at the post of duty.

JOSEPH WARREN.

THE popularity of a measure depends much upon the character of those who engage in it. Its justice is inferred from its ardent and unwavering advocacy by men of high moral and religious worth. For righteous cause and consistency in its prosecution-the American Revolution has no parallel on the pages of history. It commanded the noblest exertions of the best and most talented men of that eventful era. Their conduct elicited the admiration of a gazing world. Pure patriotism pervaded their bosoms-self was banished to its original Pandora box. Truckling politicians were despised-demagogues frowned downdisorganizers silenced-the general good of the whole country was the prime object of deep solicitude. On that bright picture the patriot and philanthropist can feast their eyes with increasing delight. The artists. have passed away and left to us the priceless gem of republican FREEDOM. In lines of living light they traced the path of duty in which we must tread to insure safety and preserve our priceless UNION. In language solemn as eternity they said to us-WALK YE THEREIN. People of America! is this injunction of the venerated dead implicitly obeyed by all? A fearful negative must be responded by every thinking, observing, intelligent, honest man. The alluvion of political corruption has submerged this path of duty and safety. Reckless party spirit has broken down its land-marks. Disorganizers trample under foot the precious blood that cemented its pavement-the blood of the covenant of LIBERTY. They treat it as an unholy thing and put our country and

themselves to open shame. People of America! will you, can you hear the portentous thunders of disorganization-disunion and stand motionless-speechless-until the crash of our LIBERTY-the wreck of our FREEDOM shall unveil to you the wild horrors of chaotic ruin? You are the conservators of our Republic-nobly perform your duty.

Among the lofty patriots who were sacrificed at the shrine of American Liberty was Joseph Warren, born in Roxbury, Mass. in 1740. He entered Harvard college at the age of fifteen with a maturity of mind and a manly bearing seldom equalled by one of his years. On the completion of his classical education he studied medicine and acquired a high reputation and a lucrative practice in the city of Boston. He took an early and decided stand in favor of emancipation from mother Britain. He was an able writer and an eloquent public speaker. His pen and voice were warmly enlisted in the cause of equal rights. He was in favor of resisting every species of taxation for the support of England. He believed the people were prepared for self-government and could best manage their own affairs free from foreign interference. He was one of the first members of the secret committee in Boston that put the revolutionary ball in motion. He had a large and happy influence on those around him. He was bold and energetic but prudent and discreet. It was him who sent an express late at night to Lexington to advise Messrs. Hancock and Adams of their contemplated capture. At the battle of Lexington he took an active part and had a portion of his ear lock shot off. In consequence of his high standing and zeal he received the commission of Major General on the 13th of June 1775. Over the army at Cambridge he had a salutary influence. He aided greatly in its first organization-bringing order out of confusion. On the 17th of June he engaged in the battle at Bunker's Hill as a volunteer where he received a ball in his head and died in the entrenchment. Thus prematurely fell one of the brightest ornaments of his day and generation. He was the first American General whose life was sacrificed in the cause of Liberty. He was favorably known as an efficient correspondent to the friends of freedom throughout the colonies and as widely mourned by every patriot. The nation deeply deplored his fall.

The battle of Bunker's Hill was of vast importance. It convinced the British that they had widely mistaken Yankee prowess and our own people that the enemy was not invincible. A defence of only a few hours' labor was thrown up-the whole force of the Americans was but 1200. This was furiously attacked by a superior number of veteran troops. So closely were they permitted to advance that they supposed