Ohio History Journal

Editorialana.                        259

His grandfathers -Abraham Baughman and Capt. James Cunningham-

were among the earliest settlers of Richland county. Mr. Baughman

taught school and read law in his earlier life, and upon the breaking

out of the Civil War he responded to President Lincoln's first call for

troops, joined the 16th Ohio Infantry and served under Gen. George B.

McClellan, in the West Virginia campaign of 1861. Upon the expiration

of that term of service, he enlisted for three years in the 32d Ohio In-

fantry, and served in the 17th Corps, Army of the Tennessee. He was

discharged for physical disability before the expiration of his term of

enlistment.

The greater part of Mr. Baughman's life has been spent in the

newspaper business. He was associated with Gen. R. Brinkerhoff on the

Ohio Liberal newspaper in the early seventies. He has edited and pub-

lished papers of his own in Mansfield, Canal Fulton, Medina and New

Philadelphia. He has served on the staff of the Marion Star and the

Steubenville Gazette and edited the Ohio Democrat at New Philadephia,

in 1895-6.

Mr. Baughman was a clerk in the United States Senate during the

49th Congress and while in Washington acted as correspondent for New

York and Chicago newspapers. After his return to Ohio, he devoted

his time to literary and historical work, his specialty being feature articles,

historical, reminiscent and literary in character. For years he has been a

voluminous writer and has always found a fair market for his products.

He is a member of McLaughlin Post G. A. R. He is a member of the

Mansfield Lyceum, and has been its secretary for a number of years.

Through his efforts the Richland County Historical Society was organ-

ized in 1898, and he became its secretary. He is the secretary of the

Mansfield Association of First-Call Troops.

Mr. Baughman is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal

Church, having been a member of the Mansfield parish for over forty

years. He is a trustee of the American Institute of Civics, and also of

the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial building at Mansfield. Upon the

creation of the Mansfield Centennial Commission he was appointed its sec-

retary. He is now engaged in writing its literature and has charge of

its bureau of publicity. At the unveiling of the Johnny Appleseed monu-

ment, November 8, 1900, at Mansfield, Mr. Baughman delivered the

address of the occasion which was copied in whole or in part by the

leading newspapers and magazines of the country. In 1900, he wrote a

Centennial history of Richland county, a volume consisting of over 800

pages. It was published by the Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago. In 1902,

Mr. Baughman re-published "Philip Seymour, or Pioneer Life in Rich-

land County," to which he added an historical appendix.

260        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

DISCOURSES OF REV. RHEES.

Through the courtesy of Mr. George A. Katzenberger, president

of the Greenville (Ohio) Historical Society, we have received duplicate

copies of two discourses by Rev. Morgan John Rhys, delivered at Green-

ville on July 4 and 5 respectively in the year 1795, before the officers

and army of Major General Anthony Wayne.

Rev. Morgan John Rhys, or, as it is also printed, Rhees, was born

in Graddfa, Llanfabon, Glamorganshire, South Wales, December 8th,

1760. When he delivered the addresses in Greenville, he was less than

thirty-five years of age. The pamphlet containing his address and calling

him "The Welsh-Baptist hero of civil and religious liberty of the eight-

eenth century," was compiled by John T. Griffith, a Baptist pastor, in

Pennsylvania. The pamphlet contains excerpts from his diary, and the

part of particular interest to us is the following:

"After having spent about two months in Georgia and

South Carolina, he came to Kentucky and then crossed the

Ohio River to East Greenville, where he addressed the United

States Army and about six or seven hundred Indians, on July

4th and 5th, 1795 (see Oration and Altar of Peace). He left

East Greenville about July 10th on his return tour and came

via Kentucky and Virginia back to the northern states. He

gives a graphic description of his journey on his mare Prim-

rose, as he called her, and preached at many places along this

route."

AN ORATION.

Delivered at Greenville, Headquarters of the Western Army, North-

west of the Ohio July ₄th, 1795, by the Rev. Morgan J. Rhees.

Illustrious Americans! Noble Patriots! You commemorate a glor-

ious day-the Birthday of Freedom in the New World! Yes, Columbia,

thou art free. The twentieth year of thy independence commences this

day. Thou hast taken the lead in regenerating the world. Look back,

look forward; think of the past, anticipate the future and behold with

astonishment the transaction of the present time! The globe revolves on

the axis of Liberty; the new world has put the old in motion; the light

of truth, running rapid like lightning, flashes convictions in the heart of

every civilized nation. Yes the splendor of American remonstrance has

fallen so heavy on the head of the tyrant that other nations, encouraged

by her example, will extirpate all despots from the earth.

0, France, although I do not justify thy excesses, I venerate thy

magnanimity. If the sun of thy liberty has been eclipsed by a blood-

thirsty, Marat and a saturnine Robespierre, if their accomplices, the sons

of faction, will darken thy horizon, the energy of the nation, the un-

Editorialana.                       261

paralleled success of thy armies, like a mighty rushing wind, will scatter

the clouds and drive them from thy hemisphere. The sun of liberty

will return with healing in its wings! Yes, its genial rays will restore

the swooping spirit of the distressed, and give new energy to the cham-

pions of freedom. Invincible Frenchmen, go on! Having laid your

hands to the plough, look not back until the soil of Europe is made

a proper fallow to receive the seeds of emancipation.

The popish beast has nearly numbered his days; the vasal king,

emperors and princes who have deluged the earth with blood, under their

malign influence, shall soon take their exit with him to the same pit of

destruction. Nor shall those potentates who have thrown off his yoke

to ape his authority escape the punishment due for their crimes. They

have, under the mask of mammonism riveted the chains of slavery two-

fold faster than Charlemagne had it in their power. However, when the

sons of liberty will make a strong pull, a long pull and a pull all to-

gether, the brass bars, the iron gates, the gold and silver chains of des-

potism must be broken.  Combined Sons of Freedom! go on until every

bastile on earth, with the infernal dungeons of the ocean, are destroyed

like the Parisian prison.

Batavians and Belgians! rally to the standard of your deliverers,

assist them to carry their conquests to the citadel of Rome that the tree

of liberty may be planted once more on the banks of the Tiber. If the

Court of Byzantium should be inimical to your progress, tell the monster

Mahomet that the flag of freedom shall soon fly on the ramparts of

Constantinople.

Neither the Ottoman Porte nor the infamous Catharine can long

withstand the energy of freemen. Let them meet the haughty tyrant of

the north in the fertile fields of Poland, and the vassals of that unhappy

country shall be restored to liberty and equality. The Greeks and the

Romans will then know that the fire of freedom is not extinguished.

Whilst I behold it kindling in every quarter of the globe, where

shall I turn my eyes first? 0, My Country! My Country! My heart

bleeds, my eyes become a fountain of waters when I think of thy fate.

Ichabod may be written upon all thy borders, for the glory is departed!

How is thy bright gold become dim? How are the sons of Liberty, the

pearls of the nation cast into prisons and banished o'er the seas? 0,

my countrymen! my countrymen !* how long will you be duped by a

dogmatic administration which seems determined to destroy not only

their own nation, but to mark their footsteps with devastation and blood

wherever they go.

Infatuated Britons! I feel for your insanity, although four thou-

sand miles from your coasts. Twenty years have elapsed since your

American brethren have given you a practical example to resist despot-

+Welsh people.

262        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

ism. Have they not emphatically told you that no government has a

right to taxation without a free and equal representation?

Ancient Britons! + awake out of your sleep! Open your eyes!

Why are your tyrants great? Because you kneel down and cringe to

them. Rise up--you are their equals! If you cannot rise, creep to the

ocean and the friendly waves will waft you over the Atlantic to the

hospitable shores of America. If you cannot attain liberty in your own

native country, "where liberty dwells, call that your country." Embark

then for the Western World, which wants nothing but millions of good

citizens, to make up the glory of all the earth. Quit the little despotic

island which gave you birth, and leave the tyrants and slaves of your

country to live and die together.

Citizens of the United States: Be not frightened in beholding so

many emigrants flowing to your country. If all the inhabitants of the

world were to pay you a visit, you can compliment each of them with

half an acre of land. But, sirs, look forward and behold with thoughts

of joy this vast continent from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf

of Mexico, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, forming one grand Republic

of Brethren.

At present it is impossible to calculate on the rapidity of revolu-

tions. What formerly took a century to accomplish is brought to pass

in a day. If the snow ball as it rolls multiplies its magnitude, the tor-

rent being checked for a season, runs with greater rapidity. So the

cause of truth and liberty being opposed by despots, will gain greater

energy, and will eventually, like a mighty deluge, sweep every refuge of

his from the earth. The little stone which Nebuchadnezzer saw, smote

the image on its feet, ground it to powder, became a great mountain

and filled the whole earth. So be it speedily. May the perfect law of

liberty sway its sceptre of love from the rising to the setting sun, from

the centre of the globe to the extremities of the poles.

Citizens of the United States: Whilst you commemorate a glorious

resolution, call to your mind first principles of action - never forget them

nor those who assisted you to put your principles in practice. May the

curse of Meroz (Judges V) never fall upon America for not joining

the heralds of freedom, whilst combatting the tyrants of Europe. Citi-

zens of America: Guard with jealousy the temple of liberty. Protect

her altars from being polluted with the offerings of force, of fraud.

Citizens and Soldiers of America - Sons of Liberty: It is you I

address. Banish from your land the remains of slavery. Be consistent

with your congressional declaration of rights and you will be happy.

Remember there never was nor will be a period when justice should not

be done. Do what is just and leave the event with God. Justice is the

pillar that upholds the whole fabric of human society and mercy is the

genial ray which cheers and warms the habitations of man. The per-

*Great Britain.

Editorialana.                       263

fection of our social character consists in properly tempering the two

with one another. In holding that middle course which admits of our

being just without being rigid and allows us to be generous without being

unjust. May all the citizens of America be found in the performance of

such social virtues as will secure them peace and happiness in this world

and in the world to come, life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

THE ALTAR OF PEACE-A SERMON.

Being the Substance of a Discourse Delivered in the Council House,

at Greenville, July 5th, 1795, Before the Officers of the American

Army and Major General Wayne, Commander-in-Chief and Min-

ister Plenipotentiary from  the United States to Treat with the

Indian Tribes North-West of the Ohio, by Morgan John Rhys.

Philadelphia.

"Then Gideon built an altar thereunto the Lord and called it Jeho-

vah Sallum; i. e., the Lord give Peace." Judges VI, 24.

A  noble example for all generals and commanders of armies!

Gideon, when going out to war, erected an altar to the God of Peace.

His object was not devastation and plunder, but to defend the lives,

liberty and property of his brethren. When these objects were obtained,

the sword was sheathed and he returned to his occupation, crowned with

honor. Gideon, as a worshipper of God, is worthy of imitation by all

men, if there be a first cause, a disposer of events, a distributor of

rewards and punishments-he is certainly an object of adoration. Some

have supposed man to be a religious animal, that it is religion and not

reason which distinguishes him from the beast; but without the exercise

of reason, I am at a loss to know how we are to prove the existence

of the Almighty. It is true in most countries, savage as well as civilized,

we meet with the temple and the priest, the altar and the offering, the

mythology of the heathen, the mosques of Mahomet, the superstitions of

popery, the circumscribed ceremonies of the Jews--all have a tendency

to prove that there is such a thing as real religion. Let us search for it,

not by rejecting wholly everything that bears the appearance of religion,

but by acting the part of the bee, exact the honey from every flower.

Although the western world be a wilderness, we meet here with

abundance of flowers which would adorn the most beautiful garden in

Europe. Shall we reject those valuable productions of the earth be-

cause they grow in an uncultivated soil? Surely not. Shall we then

reject the noble precepts of Christ, and despise His institutions, because

they have been obscured by the weeds of popery and Mahometanism

God forbid! Rather let us cut down the groves of Baal and despise his

worship. Let us reject every hypothesis that will not bear the test of

examination; let us believe nothing but what is supported by evidence,

and may be proved by reason that religion is certainly rational, which

264        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

represents the Supreme Being in the most amiable manner, rewards vir-

tue, punishes vice, publishes peace to the penitent, unites man to man

and all good men to God. Such is the Christian religion in its primitive

simplicity. Although its advocates are engaged in the most important

war, a war with ignorance and vice, yet, after the example of Gideon,

they continually pray for peace. The Commander-in-Chief has ordered

them to publish peace in every house they enter--peace to the Indians,

to Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Their commission is to preach

the Gospel to every creature, to proclaim glory to God in the highest, on

earth peace, good will towards men. However if we wish to enjoy a

permanent peace in the world, the private circle of the conscience, the

Bible declares we must cease to do evil and learn to do good. The rule

is short, and the commandments are easy. All the precepts of Jehovah

center in one syllable - Love. The laws and the prophets, like the rays

of the sun collected to a focus, here shine and burn. The man who loves

God as the supreme good, and his neighbor as himself, surmounts every

obstruction with ease, because he is borne above earth in the wings of

love; the philanthropist is every person's neighbor, the White, the Black,

and the Red are alike to him; he recognizes in each a brother, a child

of the same common parent, an heir of immortality, and a fellow traveler

to eternity. He knows how to make allowances for the prejudices of

nations and individuals; instead of declaiming and tyrannizing, he en-

deavors to lead (with the cords of love and the bands of men) all his

fellowmen to think, and judge for themselves, what is right. Having

done this, the foundation is laid for a glorious fabric! the man who

dares to think seriously for himself brings a complete sacrifice to the

altar of peace; his ear receives instructions, the memory receives informa-

tion, the judgment discerns between truth and error, his eye or principle

is fixed on the glory of God and the public good, and his feet or affec-

tions persevere in the path which leads to immortal blessedness.

Brethren, we have fallen short in any duty, especially that of grati-

tude, let us move on with a firm and steady step in the great work of

reformation, and as we are surrounded by temptations, let us combat the

powers of darkness and the enemy will flee before us; with the weapons

of eternal truth let us fight the foe, and our rallying point shall be the

Altar of Peace. Permit me to descend to particulars, and apply the

subject to the pending treaty, the Lord give Peace. But, sirs! in order

to establish a durable peace some sacrifices must be made on both sides.

The love of conquest and enlargement of territory should be sacrificed-

every nation or tribe having an indefeasible right of soil, as well as a

right to govern themselves in what manner they think proper, for which

reason the United States purchased the right of soil from the Indians.

Self interest and avarice, being the root of evil, ought to be sacrificed

as a burnt offering, for the good of mankind. The desire of revenge

should be immediately offered on the altar of forgiveness, although thy

Editorialana.                       265

brother transgress against thee seventy times seven in a day. Dissimula-

tion and intrigue, with every species of deceptive speculation and fraudu-

lent practice, ought to be sacrificed on the altars of strict honor and

inflexible justice. In short, as the Altar of Peace is our text, the sermon

on our future conduct should be, "Do Justice and Love Mercy." Tell

the Indians they must "go and do likewise"; inform them that righteous-

ness is the parent of peace, foreign and domestic; that without it there

can be no tranquility in the nation, the neighborhood, or in the bosom

of the individual. Endeavor, therefore, by all possible means to instill

a just knowledge of this principle into their minds, for it must precede

universal peace. Why did the prophet say, "They shall not hurt nor

destroy"? Because, first, "the knowledge of God shall cover the earth as

the water covers the sea."

If we were to form any idea of the signs of the times, the day of

universal knowledge, peace and happiness cannot be at any great dis-

tance. It will advance upon us like the rising sun, whose light irresistibly

spreads far and wide. But do not imagine that we are to be idle specta-

tors. God carries on his work by means, and employs rational instru-

ments, and as we are at present in an Indian country, we should devise

and adopt the most likely measures to civilize the savage tribes. We

have an opportunity of knowing something of their disposition. If peace

can be amicably concluded, much may be done, but we are not to forget

the natural grades from a savage state to that of civilization. I am

clearly of the opinion that rational preachers ought to be employed to

remove their ancient superstition, give them just notions of the Great

Spirit, and teach them rules of moral rectitude. I am aware that some-

thing more is wanted. Unless husbandry and the mechanical arts be

introduced with those missionaries, they will never be able to prevail on

them to quit their ancient customs and manners. Government should

therefore interfere and assist. That good may be done by individuals

none can deny--the Moravian Indians are a convincing proof of it.

Still, their laudable efforts will be ineffectual to bring over the great body

of the people without further aid, and a general intercourse between

them and virtuous men.

'Tis to be lamented that the frontiers of America have been peopled

in many places by men of bad morals. I do not mean by this to throw

a disagreeable reflection upon all the frontier inhabitants for I know

there are many virtuous characters among them, but certain it is that

there is a great number of white, as well as red savages. It will there-

fore be necessary to have such communications with the different tribes

as to convince them of the good will of the Americans in general. If

at the conclusion of this treaty some interchange of persons could take

place between the United States and the different tribes, so that some

Americans might have their residence in the Indian towns, and the In-

dians in like manner, reside in some of the principal towns on the fron-

266        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

tiers, it might be the means of terminating all future differences without

war; of cultivating harmony and friendship among the tribes; of bring-

ing offenders on both sides to justice, and causing treaties to be respected

throughout the different nations. If such a system could be introduced

cultivation and instruction would naturally follow and the Americans and

Indians would become one people, and have but one interest at heart

-the good of the whole. That such a thing should take place is cer-

tainly desirable. Let us, therefore, in the first place, follow the example

of Gideon by erecting an altar, and offer the necessary sacrifices to obtain

peace permanent; let every probable means be made use of to enlighten

the poor heathens that they may quit their childish and cruel customs,

and add to their love of liberty and hospitality, piety, industry, mechanical

and literary acquirements; let us join them in prayer that the "Great

Spirit" may enlighten their eyes and purify their hearts, give them a clear

sky and smooth water, guard them against the bad birds, and remove

the briars from their paths; protect them from the dogs of war, which

are ever exciting them to acts of barbarous cruelty, that they may never

attend to their barking, but continue to keep the bloody hatchet in the

ground and smoke the calumet of peace until its odors perfume the air.

Sweet Peace! source of joy, parent of plenty, promoter of com-

merce and manufacturers, nurse of arts and agriculture, angelic Peace!

Could I but set forth thy amiable qualities, who would but love thee?

0, daughter of heaven, first offspring of the God of Love, hasten to

make thy residence with us on earth!

MONUMENT TO ANTHONY WAYNE.

It is possible that a monument to General Anthony Wayne may be

erected in Roche de Boeuf, the famous rock in the Maumee river near

Grand Rapids. At a recent meeting of the Maumee Valley Pioneer

Association held in Toledo, J. L. Pray said that the association hoped

some time to secure Roche de Boeuf to the state and erect on it a

statue of "Mad" Anthony Wayne. On the afternoon before the battle

of Fallen Timber, after Wayne's army had arrived at that point from

Fort Defiance, Wayne and his officers are said to have waded the shallow

rapids to Roche de Boeuf and took their dinner on the rock.

Wayne's greatest deeds were done in this vicinity and, there being

no monument to his valor nearer than Fort Wayne, it is proposed to

erect a statue of the great warrior on the famous rock.

For many years the idea has been entertained by people in Defiance

and vicinity to have a monument built to General Wayne on the site of

Fort Defiance, and ex-Congressman Campbell tried to get Congress to

make an appropriation for this, but without effect. Although Roche de

Boeuf has many historical associations in connection with Wayne, Fort.

Editorialana.                       267

Defiance has better claims for such a monument as is proposed. The

beauty of the site, here situated in the heart of the city should give

Defiance the precedence.

The Maumee Valley Pioneer Association wishes to save Roche de

Boeuf from being used as a pier for a bridge to be built across the

river at that point by the Cincinnati Northern Traction Co.

Secretary J. L. Pray said the association would probably first at-

tempt to persuade the electric company to change its survey so the

proposed bridge at Roche de Boeuf will cross the river a few hundred

feet above the famous rock, which would, in his opinion, give the road

a better and less expensive crossing and at the same time preserve the

rock and the surrounding scenery to the eyes of the traveler using the

line.-Defiance Crescent News, March 28, 1907.

STATE HISTORIANS.

The Legislature of Maine has just created the office of State His-

torian, The appointee is to receive no salary, but actual expenses, not

to exceed $500 a year will be paid. It is probable, therefore, that some

qualified person is ready to accept the position for the honor conferred.

The selection is to be made by the Governor by nomination from the

State Historical Society. The act is also intended to promote the writ-

ing and publication of local history. It provides that in the town his-

tories, prominence shall be given to matters of local geography, "which

may be suitable for use in the grammar and high school grades of the

public schools" in such towns. The manuscript of town histories must

be approved by the State Historian, and when published by the town

"the State Treasurer shall pay the town so publishing a sum not exceed-

ing $150, but the state shall not pay to any town to exceed one-half of

the amount paid by said town for printing and binding said histories."

The act evidently contemplates considerable voluntary service to make

it effective.

New York, which of course has a history that is much longer, and

of far greater interest and importance than that of Maine, has had a

State Historian, as one of the permanent officers of the state government

since 1895. In that year a law was passed providing for the appointment

by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, of such an

official, whose duty is to collect and edit for publication all official

records, memoranda and data relative to the Colonial and Revolutionary

wars, also the later wars, including that of the Rebellion. The Historian

is also required to collect and edit, all official records, memoranda and

statistics, affecting the relations of this commonwealth with foreign

powers, other states of the Union, and with the United States. The

office, ever since its creation, has been efficiently filled by Mr. Hugh

Hastings of New York City.-Buffalo Commercial, April 19, 1907.

268        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

PRESERVATION OF HARRISON'S TOMB.

A sentimental motive prompted Colonel Russell B. Harrison, son

of the late ex-President of the United States, to come to Cincinnati

yesterday. He had a case in the United States Court, but his important

reason for the visit was to have a conference with his distant relative,

Colonel Lewis W. Irwin, in regard to inducing the United States Gov-

ernment to take over the burying ground at North Bend, where the tombs

of his distinguished grandfather, General and President William Henry

Harrison are located.

Colonel Harrison and Mr. Irwin talked for more than two hours

and agreed upon a plan of action. A resolution will be prepared for

introduction at the next session of Congress, by either Representative

Goebel or Longworth, providing that the United States shall take posses-

sion of the cemetery at the hamlet of North Bend, make such repairs as

are necessary and keep the Stars and Stripes always floating above the

tomb of the "Hero of Tippecanoe." Every one of the hundreds of

heirs to the little burying ground, which contains about five acres, has

agreed to give a quitclaim deed to their individual interests, and there

will be no expense to the Government whatever, except the slight cost

of taking care of the property.

Many years ago the Trustees of Miami Township prohibited further

burials in the Harrison private cemetery. Shortly before this was done

one of the most shocking incidents in local history took place. Ghouls

stole the body of John Scott Harrison, father of President Benjamin

Harrison, from the grave and it was later discovered by General Harri-

son in the pickling vat of the Ohio Medical College. A great sensation

was caused by the discovery. The remains of the old man were rein-

terred in the same grave, and a guard was kept over them for several

weeks.

This was in the latter part of May 1878, and Colonel L. W. Irwin,

who is taking such deep interest in the movement to have Uncle Sam

assume charge of the cemetery, was Prosecuting Attorney of Hamilton

County at that time. Members of the Harrison family have never for-

gotten the desecration of the grave of their beloved dead, and believing

that a grateful country is willing to honor one of her most distinguished

soldiers and statesmen they proffer the graveyard, with the only condition

that it be kept free from vandalism and that the flag of the country

always float over the tomb of President William Henry Harrison.-

Cincinnati Enquirer, April 3, 1907.