The Congressional session of 1775 was one of great labor, anxiety and embarrassment. It required veterans in patriotism to sustain the tremendous shock, the fearful onset. An army was to be raised and organized, military stores provided, fortifications erected, rules of government adopted, plans of operation matured, internal foes to be encountered and legions of hireling soldiers to be repelled. To meet these pressing emergencies the members of Congress had hearts full of courage but an empty treasury. A forlorn hope was before them—a merciless foe on their shores. The torch of hope shed but a dim light. In the name of high Heaven they resolved on Liberty or Death. Nor did they "split on the rock of resolves and re-resolves, where thousands live and die the same." They met the fury of the king with a firmness, wisdom and patriotism before unknown. Their course was onward towards the goal of freedom. No threats of vengeance dismayed them—the shafts of terror fell harmless at their feet—the vials of ministerial wrath were poured out in vain.
In 1776, the Colonies bleeding, reverses rolling frightfully upon them, a conquering army sweeping over their land like a tornado, the streams red with the blood of their kinsmen—the cries of widows and orphans ringing in their ears, the sky illumined with the curling flames of their towns—this band of patriots conceived the bold and sublime plan of Independence—a plan that wreathed its projectors with laurels of unfading freshness.
Early in the summer Messrs. Sherman, John Adams, Franklin, Livingston and Jefferson were appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of Rights. It was prepared with much deliberation—reported and on the memorable 4th of July 1776 received the hearty sanction of the Continental Congress amidst the transporting joys of freemen who hailed it as the bright morning star—to them a prelude to future bliss—to tyrants, a blazing meteor of devouring fire.
Illustrious in all their actions the signers of the Declaration of Independence were pre-eminently so—when, assuming their native dignity, they rose in all the majesty of greatness—bursting their servile chains—cutting asunder the cords of forfeited allegiance—sublimely passing the grand Rubicon and in the eyes of an approving God and an admiring world—declared their country free and independent. The era was one of refulgent glory, sacred to the cause of human rights—enduring as genuine patriotism—cheering as the oasis of the desert.
No member of the Continental Congress had studied more closely and understood more clearly political economy and finance than Mr. Sherman. His mind was moulded in system. He was a practical man and conversant with every department of government. He was an efficient member of the board of war, ordnance and the treasury. He served on important committees during the whole time of the Revolution. His plans for replenishing the public funds, regulating expenditures and disbursing moneys, were based on rules of frugality and economy corresponding with the embarrassments of that trying period. Fraudulent contractors quailed before his scrutiny—speculations and peculations on government were often paralyzed by his torpedo touch. He guarded, with an Argus eye and parental care the interests of the young Republic.
In the estimation of his colleagues and of our nation, Roger Sherman was second to no one in that bright constellation of sages for sterling integrity and substantial usefulness. At that time honesty and modesty were attributes of merit. It required no stump speeches or bar-room harangues to gain popular favor. Foaming bragadocia—bullying gasconade—personal crimination and a violation of the sanctity of the domestic circle were not then current coin. No bogus politicians were found among the patriots of the Revolution. Principles—not men were the political landmarks—not the seven principles of five loaves and two fishes but the heaven-born principles of eternal justice, truth, honesty, equality, freedom, love of country, patriotism, humanity, universal charity and pure benevolence—all harmoniously growing in rich clusters upon the tree of Liberty.
That was also a time of labor. Inglorious ease was not known to legislators. Long written speeches were not read to the speaker and the walls to be printed for party effect among constituents. Turmoil and billingsgate slang were unknown in the halls of legislation. The business of the nation was performed promptly, faithfully and effectually. Posts of honor were then posts of duty—not of profit. No demagogue bipeds were permitted to fatten at the public crib—no droning sinecures were lounging under the mantle of government. How changed the scene—how fearful the contrast at the present writing! Awake! patriots of my beloved country to a sense of our true interests. Throw off the incubus of ultra party spirit—think, know and act for yourselves—avoid the paralyzing touch of reckless demagogues and purge our land from political corruption.
By his fellow citizens at home Mr. Sherman was held in high esteem. He was continued in the Council during the Revolution. When the city of New Haven was chartered in 1784 he was elected the first mayor—filling the office with great dignity to the close of his life.
When peace was restored Judges Sherman and Law were appointed to revise the judicial code of Connecticut which duty they performed with great ability and satisfaction to all concerned. Mr. Sherman was a member of the convention that framed the Federal Constitution. From a manuscript found among his papers it appears that this instrument received many of its bright features from him. To his conceptive mind and practical wisdom we are much indebted for the towering greatness and unparalleled prosperity we so eminently enjoy and which will increase and endure so long as the people protect their own interests and are true to themselves. Intimately acquainted with all the local conflicting interests of the Colonies, he was enabled to exercise a salutary influence among the members in reconciling differences between them, which, for a time, threatened to hurl back the elements of government into original chaos and prostrate the fair fabric of Liberty. By examining the earnest discussions, the variety of opinions, the multifarious interests, the intense anxiety, the agony of soul and sacrifice of private views that characterized the formation of the Federal Constitution—we discover wisdom, discretion, charity and patriotism of the loftiest kind shining in all the grandeur of self sacrifice. Based upon the Declaration of Rights—it forms a superstructure, towering in sublimity above all others—radiating its heart cheering influence over our increasing millions of freemen—revered by all patriots at home—respected abroad—unrivalled in the annals of legislation.
Judge Sherman did much to remove the objections made to this important document by the people of his own and adjoining States. He demonstrated to them clearly and convinced them fully—that to effect and perpetuate the Union, private feeling and interest must yield to public necessity to procure public good and that each State should strive to produce an equilibrium of the general government, forming a grand centre towards which it should ever tend with harmonious and fraternal gravitation—immovable as the perpetual hills.