George F. Hoar

If there were any aristocracy, it was an aristocracy of personal worth.

But I think everybody who knew the town will agree with me that there never was in the world a better example of a pure and beautiful democracy, in the highest sense of the term, than the town of Concord from 1826 to the close of the war.

But he had no sympathy with reforms which seemed to him to be devised merely as political instruments to advance the fortunes of persons or parties.

He was the inveterate foe of oppression, and in his later years, opposed every compromise with slavery.

He favored the suppression of the sale and use of intoxicating liquors, and desired that the whole force of the State should be brought to bear to accomplish that end.

His rules of public and private conduct were strict and austere.

He earnestly resisted, in the Convention of 1820, the abolition of the property qualification for voters, and of the obligation of all citizens to be taxed for the support of religious worship.

He submitted himself to the rule of life which followed from these, and rigorously exacted obedience to it from all for whom he was responsible.

Hoar was, I suppose, beyond all question, the highest authority in New England, indeed in the whole country, on the difficult and abstruse questions belonging to the law of water privileges and running streams.

I think of him as a kind of tall pillar, on a foundation of such granite solidity as to quiet all fears of possible moving therefrom.

He was one of the few men who kept Massachusetts and New England from rushing down the steep place and perishing in the waters, as the herd of swine was doing,--a son worthy of the Fathers of New England.

For years the character of this true man, as a noble, courageous, self-sacrificing and independent American citizen has commanded my profound admiration and respect, and I am greatly pleased to become more familiar with his life.

I had always held him in awe as the greatest and wisest man within my knowledge, and should have no more have thought of familiar conversation with him than with the Pope.

He was always spoken of in our family with the highest respect, and few things have ever gratified me so much as his kindness to me on the occasion of my last visit to Concord during his lifetime.

With beams December planets dart, His cold eye truth and conduct scanned; July was in his sunny heart, October in his liberal hand.

Such was, in old age, the beauty of his person and carriage, as if his mind radiated, and made the same impression of probity on all beholders.

This speech caused a revolution in the opinion of the body.

Hoar was of transcendent excellence, and had a most overpowering effect upon the House.

I thank God that I have lived to behold this day, and that my eyes have been spared to see the people of the whole country united again in affection as in the early time.

I am sure you will not doubt that I feel myself highly honored by your invitation in behalf of the New England Society of Charleston, as I am deeply touched and gratified by what you say in the letter which conveys it.

Charleston would fain give the honored Son a welcome which shall obliterate the past.

May I venture to urge that your presence with us will have a beautiful significance in its relation to the good feeling which so happily obtains in all our land, and a past event which associates your honored Father's name so memorably and…

Hoar thanked him but told him again that he could not and would not go, and that he had rather his broken skull should be carried to Massachusetts by somebody else, than to carry it home safe himself whilst his duty required him to remain.

Such, however, was the respect for his great ability and character that he was permitted to live in Charleston throughout the War.

The committee of seventy, although they had no purpose of personal violence, other than to place one old gentleman in a carriage and take him to a boat, were, of course, in every legal sense a mob.