Press on, nor stay to ask For friendship's aid; Deign not to wear a mask Nor wield a coward's blade, But still persist, though hard the task.
Rest not--inglorious rest Unnerves the man; Struggle--'tis God's behest! Fill up life's little span With God-like deeds--it is the test--
Test of the high-born soul, And lofty aim; The test in History's scroll Of every honored name--None but the brave shall win the goal'
Go act the hero's part, And in the strife, Strike with the hero's heart For liberty and life-- Ay, strike for Truth; preserve her chart'
Her chart unstain'd preserve, 'Twill guide you right. Press on and never swerve, But keep your armer bright, And struggle still with firmer nerve.
What though the tempest rage, Buffet the sea! Where duty calls, engage: And ever striving be The moral hero of the Age!
In the fall of 1851, Mr. Rice was put in nomination for the State Senate, and was elected by a majority exceeding seven hundred votes.
The General Assembly to which he was now returned, was the first that convened under the new Constitution. Upon this body devolved the responsibility of reconstructing the statutes of the State, and adapting them to the requisition of the Constitution, so as to secure to the people the practical benefits of the great reforms which had been achieved by its adoption. Mr. Rice contributed quite as much as any other member to the important legislation of the two sessions held by that General Assembly. It was said of him that he was always at his post. The degree of influence which he exercised as a legislator, was such as few have the good fortune to wield.
Among the variety of measures which engaged his attention, he took a prominent part in procuring the passage of the act which authorized the establishment of two additional lunatic asylums in the State.
His course in relation to the subject of common schools attracted public attention throughout the State, and called forth from the press commendations of a very complimentary character. The correspondent of a paper published at Newark, writing from Columbus, remarks as follows: